Page 1 of Love On and Off Set

Chapter One

Horatio

“So…I found a job.”

I gazed at my nephew Kristoff across my massive dining room table. He preferred eating at the cozier kitchen table, but I insisted on formality at dinner.

The catering service I often used had provided a delicious chicken cacciatore, and I’d savored every bite. Kristoff’s announcement, although not unexpected, did sit a little uncomfortably with me.

He’d lived here for the past nine years while completing his doctorate in psychology at the University of British Columbia. With his parents back in Medicine Hat, Alberta, it made sense for him to live with his only relative in Vancouver, so he moved into the guest suite of my penthouse condo in downtown.

I’d become accustomed to his company. Busy as he was, he always made time for Sunday dinner. “You have other accommodations arranged?”

Uncharacteristically, he didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he pushed the pasta around his plate with his fork. Finally, he looked at me. “I’ve met someone.”

“That’s wonderful.” I might’ve been a little hurt I hadn’t heard anything before now, but I was nonetheless happy for him. At twenty-eight, he deserved to have someone special in his life. “When might I meet the young lady in question?”

He tipped his chin up. “She’s not a young lady.”

“Okay. When might I meet the young man in question?” Being gay myself, I wasn’t the least bit fazed by the idea of Kristoff finding a man.

“She is a woman.” He gazed out toward the windows overlooking the North Shore mountains.

“All right.” Where’s he going with this?

“She’s forty-eight and a professor at the university. Although not my professor. We met at a gathering for graduate students and advisors. She teaches mechanical engineering. She’s, like, freaking brilliant.”

I took a moment. “Kristoff, I’m certain you can do the math. She’s twenty years older than you.” Not that I was prudish, but he was barely starting his life, and here he was, looking at an older woman. “Not to be crass, but it can be difficult for a woman to conceive at—”

“She’s already got three kids. Eighteen, twenty-one, and twenty-six.”

“Her eldest is two years younger than you?” Keeping my cool was becoming increasingly challenging.

He jutted his chin toward me. “Yes. And they’ve all accepted me. Jennifer and I are flying to Las Vegas tomorrow night to get married. I wanted you to be the first to know. I’ll tell my parents tonight.”

“I’m honored.” I gave myself an internal shake. Alienating him with my prejudices was a bad idea. He needed to know he could count on me, no matter what. I cleared my throat. “What would you like as a wedding present?”

“Your support.” Said quickly and firmly.

“You have it.” I straightened. “We’re family, Kristoff. Whatever happens, whatever you need, you just have to ask, okay? Come to me. I won’t judge. I’ll help. I’m sorry you felt you had to keep the relationship secret all this time. I would’ve welcomed Jennifer and her children.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

I flushed. “Okay, maybe I might’ve tried to talk you out of it first. Women might live longer than men, but you’ll be heartbroken when she passes.”

“Or I might die first.” He met my gaze, those piercing green eyes so achingly familiar.

I had those unique irises. As did his mother. How will Janelle react? Should I call her to prepare her?

Kristoff gazed away for a moment before turning back. “I’ve taken a position with the university in the student counseling center. I think it’s important the students have access to counselors who’ve recently been in their shoes.”

Tactfully, I didn’t point out that wouldn’t always be the case. Time was a cruel mistress as she marched on unrelentingly. My forty-one years were proof of that. Now, my beloved nephew, thirteen years my junior, was finding matrimonial happiness that had thus far evaded me. I’d dated a few men over the years—a few even seriously—but I hadn’t met a man who made me want to settle down. None of them had me longing to share my space.

You’re too set in your ways.

That was a distinct possibility.

“Are you seeing Jennifer tonight?”