Page 75 of Pup, Pup, and Away
“Oh?”
“Most people assume Daddies are the older man. That’s not always the case.” Cody spoke as he stroked Lorcan’s damp hair.
“I’m glad it’s not.” Lorcan beamed, and I remembered how attractive and genuinely kind I’d found him my first morning in Mission City. I’d never have, not in a million years, guessed he was a puppy like me.
I caught Demetrius watching me. Not in a judgmental way—as far as I could see. No, more in an amused way. “What?”
“Who knew we had this in common?” He smiled. “When you said you were going out tonight and wondering if Keegan and Alaina could watch your dogs, I never dreamed you’d wind up here.”
“One root beer.” Zahir placed the drink before me.
I released my bag, letting it drop to the floor. Eagerly, I took a sip.
“It’s okay if this is overwhelming.” Cody smiled. He was a psychologist at both Pride Camp, working with Jai, and at Healing Horses Ranch. Since he’d been busy with camp, I’d seen counselor Justin. A great guy—also gay—who had helped me work through a number of issues. And then assured me that if I chose Zahir, I was making a sound decision.
“Not overwhelming.” I smiled at Cody. “Just…unexpected.”
“Well, we’re here every month. Even Arnav and Foster—with their two foster children—find time to make it here.”
I’d met Malika and Joshua. Clearly, Foster and Arnav were great foster parents. Just like, from everything I’d witnessed, Jai and Demetrius were amazing parents.
Zahir and I agreed early on that we didn’t want kids. Although my mother was amazing, I’d had no real father figure. I worried I’d be bad at parenting and, frankly, it didn’t appeal to me. Zahir felt the same way, so we were good.
Foster took a sip of water. “I want to play some more.” He grinned at me. “Come and join us?”
“Uh…sure.” I grasped my bag. “I’m wearing shorts.”
“Perfect.” Lorcan beamed. “Let’s go.”
Just as I was about to stand, Zahir placed a hand on my arm. He turned to the other three Daddies. “Is that Sloan Lavoie?”
Demetrius chuckled. “Our pharmacist? I believe it is. He appears to be alone. I wonder what he’s doing here?”
“I should at least go sayhello. Loriana did try to set us up.” Zahir rolled his eyes.
Everyone laughed.
“Yes, our hopeless matchmaker librarian is a sweetheart—and clearly out of her element sometimes.” My Daddy grinned. Then he stilled. “I’d gotten a clear Dominant vibe from Sloan. It had occurred to me that he might be a Daddy. But hell, maybe he’s a puppy.”
“You’ll never know unless you ask him.” Arvan chuckled. “Invite him over—if he wants to join us. We can watch the pups play together.”
And just like that, everything felt right.
Lorcan took me into the changing rooms and within just a few minutes, I was in the puppy pile with him, Jai, and Foster.
And Sloan appeared to be in deep conversation with the Daddies.
My Daddy kept an eye on me, though. And when we took a break, I sat at his feet and rubbed against his thigh.
This. This was what I’d always wanted, but had never known how to ask for. This was pure perfection.
And I couldn’t have been happier.
