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“I soooo did.” He clicked his tongue at me. “You, sir, are not subtle. And you haven’t been home much in, oh, nine months or so?”

I widened my eyes. “Have you been stalking me?”

We both cracked up at the inside joke—before they’d started dating, Cameron had accused Sam of doing the same thing, though the notion had been ridiculous. Cameron had been almost as closed off to love as I was. Which was ironic, given that we’d encouraged each other to find love without believing we could have it for ourselves.

Cameron reached for my hands again. “Seriously, though, Tris, I’m so goddamn happy for you.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at him. “And thank you for being the best friend a guy could ever have. I’m sorry for keeping all of this from you.”

Cameron’s face turned serious. “It’s okay, Tristan—I understand why you did. But you don’t have to keep anything from me anymore, okay? No matter what you need to talk about, I’m here. Got it?”

I nodded once, pursing my lips and squinting, my anything-but-serious serious face. “Got it.”

Cameron laughed at my expression. “Stop being ridiculous. Or on second thought, be just as ridiculous as you’d like. But only if it’s how you’re really feeling.”

I chuckled. “I will. I don’t think I’ll be able to help it, actually. It wasn’t always a mask.”

He nodded sagely, and we fell into an easy silence until Cameron popped out of his seat a minute later. “Oh! I guess I should get some coffee. You have time?”

I nodded, watching as he ordered what was probably a vanilla latte. Once he had it in hand, he brought it to our table, sat back down, and took a sip. After he’d swallowed, he set the oversized porcelain mug down and eyed me. “Soooo . . . how is Henry? You know, in bed?”

I gasped, smacking my hand against my chest. “How dare you ask me that! A gentleman never kisses and tells.”

“Oh, please,” Cameron said, rolling his eyes. “You are always eager to tell me each and every detail of your sex life. And I have nine months to catch up on, from the sound of it.”

“You’re horrible,” I replied, but I couldn’t help laughing under my breath. “But okay, he’s the best Daddy I could ever dream of, but also . . .” I couldn’t resist leaving him hanging.

He scooted forward until he was literally on the edge of his seat. “Yes?! Spill, man!”

I laughed heartily, tossing my head back as I did. Once I’d composed myself, I finally conceded. “You know what I alluded to a second ago, that I didn’t fit the boy mold? Well, it turns out I have some . . . Daddy tendencies. Well, more accurately, some Dom tendencies. And I miiiight be a little bit of a sadist.” I pinched my fingers together, leaving just a tiny gap between my thumb and forefinger.

Cameron gasped. “Are you serious?”

I nodded, laughing again, this time at his expression. And I thought I was over the top. “Dead serious. Henry fucking loves it. And the best part? He’s vers, too. Cameron, he’s seriously the best man for me.” I probably had actual hearts in my eyes, and I didn’t even care.

Cameron’s eyes almost had hearts, too. “Oh, Tristan! That’s amazing.”

I nodded, finding no reason to disagree. “It really is. I’ve found my Sam.”

“You really have.” He got teary again, which made me start to tear up. But after a moment in our feels, his demeanor changed. “So when can we double date?”

My mouth dropped open, just a little. “No, please, you can’t tell Sam just yet. I’ve only just worked up the courage to tell you, and I suspect it may be a little bit before I can tell the others. That okay?” I winced. “Shit. I probably should’ve asked that before I told you.”

Cameron waved me off. “It’s okay. It’s not like Sam and I made a promise to tell each other everything about everyone or whatever. We’re not even married.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Though even married couples are allowed a little mystery. Keeps the spark alive, I hear.”

Funny he should say that, because I happened to know that Sam had already purchased a ring and planned to ask him to marry him very soon. He’d consulted me, the best friend, on size and style, as a good Daddy should.

“Thanks, Cameron. And thanks for listening.”

He smiled at me before leaning forward. “Anytime. But now, I want to hear all about this Daddy-vers-sadist-switch situation you have going on. And I want details.”

***

My heart felt light as I headed back to my condo. Since I was meeting Cameron near my house, I told Henry I’d stop by here and grab a few more things before heading back to his place. He was working, per usual, so he told me to take my time, and he’d leave work when I got back.

I was flipping through a variety of different sexy scenarios we could try tonight as I walked around the corner and my building came into view. A moving truck was backed up to the entrance, and my next-door neighbor, Lucinda, was walking out of the propped-open door with an armload of boxes.

I bowed my head, cheeks pinking as I ambled forward. Lucinda was moving, and I didn’t even know. Because I hadn’t really been here in months.