Page 31

"Our pleasure," Esteban said. "We'd heard about this place but never managed to get an invitation before. We're really happy to be here. Shame there aren't any other pups."

"Sir, I will play with him!" I said, looking at the pup enthusiastically. "I mean, only if you want me to." I looked at the pup. "Do you talk or just bark? Is that an inappropriate question?" I continued before anyone could answer, unable to stop myself. "Because if it is, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be bratty. I genuinely don't know."

Daddy and Esteban both laughed — always a good sign.

"I think it's adorable that you're this excited to meet my pup," Esteban said, putting his hand on the pup's hood. The pup barked twice, tail wagging. "His name is Rex. When he's in pup mode, he only barks."

"Rex!" I said, delighted. "So nice to meet you. Can I pet him, Sir?" I asked Esteban.

He looked at Rex, who nodded. Esteban smiled.

"Go ahead."

Esteban was a tall, handsome Black man with long hair that framed his face beautifully. I petted Rex's hood and he wiggled his bottom, the little plug tail swishing. I found that incredibly funny and incredibly cute.

"You're so cool, Rex," I told him. When I was in little space with Daddy nearby, I knew I didn't have to worry so much about filtering myself — he always kept me safe. "Do you want to be my friend?"

Rex nodded. I found it adorable even though it was clearly a very human gesture.

"Yay! I already made a new friend, Daddy!" I said, excited. "You have to meet my brothers. They're really great too. Even though Sawyer is kind of boring."

I glanced at Sawyer, who rolled his eyes.

"Can I go play video games?" Sawyer asked Daddy.

"You can," Daddy said, "but just for a bit. I want you trying to socialize with the newcomers too."

"What if I invite someone new to play with me?"

"Great idea, sweetheart," Daddy said, and Sawyer left looking pleased with himself.

Mikey was in full super mega baby mode that night — sometimes he went almost nonverbal, into his own little world. He was sitting without even noticing Rex, playing with his doll Teresa, a blonde baby in a pink dress. I didn't love it when Mikey got like that because he didn't want to play with me, but I understood — he needed that space without judgment.

"Daddy, can I take Rex to meet Gustav, Lucy, and Henry?" I asked.

"Sure, sweetheart," he said. "If Rex wants to."

"Do you want to meet my friends?" I asked Rex.

He wagged his bottom and barked twice.

"I think that's a yes!"

"Oh, JJ," Esteban said, "before you go — would you mind taking a friend of mine along?"

He pointed toward a boy coming in our direction. He was gorgeous — wearing tiny pink shorts and a white lace crop top. Blond like me, but his hair came down to his shoulders.

"His name is Max. He's an old friend of mine and I convinced him to come tonight. He's a very shy and sweet little. He'd run to the bathroom because he was embarrassed, but I told him there was no need."

I looked up as Max approached and immediately stood and waved.

"Hi!"

He looked a little startled that I'd spoken directly to him like that. I noticed he was wearing eyeliner and blush.

"How old is your little?" I asked him.

"Three," he said, still a bit uncertain, glancing at Esteban for reassurance.