Page 74 of The Boyfriend Gamble

Why? Does he think I’ll judge?

“And my boyfriend, uh, dumped me.”

Ah.

Wait.

Am I a rebound? Is that a thing?

“But I’d been planning on dumping his cheating ass anyway.” He continued to stroke Champ’s chest. “So I got tested, packed up my car, and came south. Well, first I applied for a job with Wally. Then, once I landed the job, I moved. I figured I should be prudent. Although I would’ve taken just about any job in any town at that point.”

“Wally’s a good man.” I considered. “His brother Felix is an elementary school teacher. He works with Nita, Kade’s younger sister.”

Rayne and Everett nodded.

“Kade’s my best friend. We grew up together. Nita and Tanner were best friends as well. Tanner and Kade got together last year. Now they’re married and have a baby and everything.”

“June is just so damn cute.” Rayne’s eyes got a little dreamy.

Beside me, Everett tensed.

Interesting.

“So you know Nita who works with Felix—Wally’s younger brother.”

“Yeah. And Ben as well. He’s married to Isaac and lives in a condo near you.” Everett loosened up a bit. “Ben walks his beagle Buddy by the law office quite often.”

“Buddy and Champ are friends.” Rayne puffed his chest out again.

“You’re a very proud papa.” Jasper offered up that observation, but I could’ve made it as well.

“Champ has two daddies who love him.” Rayne continued to preen.

Everett chuckled. “Oh God. Don’t get him started. He’ll start listing off all the other dog moms and dads he’s met over the last year. He loves the dog park near 14thAvenue. We were worried at first, but Champ’s, well, a champ. He still has the occasional trepidation around strangers, but he adores every dog he’s ever met.”

I drained the rest of my tea. “Have you guys had lunch? I know it’s a little late—”

“Oh shit.” Rayne glanced at his watch. “Damn, we have to go.” He rose and reached for Champ’s leash.

Reluctantly, Jasper handed it over.

Everett and I rose as well.

“My sisters, Denali and Ursula are coming for dinner. Along with my parents. To celebrate Ursula’s new contract.”

“The hair product she created?”

“Yes.” The clearly proud brother beamed. “She’s landed a distribution contract with an independent drugstore chain. She’s hoping that she can get word out and she’ll be able to snag a deal with a bigger store.”

“It’s a great product.” Ursula’s product was primarily for Black women’s hair, but she’d given me a bottle. My hair was short, but I’d noticed a difference in the feel when I tried it. “Let me know which store—I’ll go and buy some.”

Everett’s eyes shone. “Yeah. I plan to do that as well.”

“So cool.” Rayne nudged Jasper. “One sister-in-law has four amazing kids. One is an entrepreneur, and one’s a famous actor.”

“Oh, who?”

Everett tried to speak, but Rayne cut him off. “Denali Williams. She has a role inVigilante Justice—”

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