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“Whatever mental gymnastics you’ve got going on in your head.” Gavin took another slow sip of his drink.

“I’m not— That’s not what I’m doing,” Dom said.

“Your face says otherwise.”

Dom scowled. “You don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“No,” Gavin agreed. “So tell me.”

Dom looked at the phone again. “I’m wondering why he’s texting you.”

His honest answer was better than pretending he wasn’t bothered. Gavin understood how Dom was feeling. This was still so new between them, and he wasn’t sure about anything either. He was sure they needed to start talking more directly instead of dancing around what they were thinking or feeling.

Gavin turned the phone over and stared at the dark screen. “He’s coming to San Diego next week. He wants to talk.”

Dom’s fingers tightened around his cup. “About what?”

“He didn’t say.”

“And you haven’t asked?” Dom sounded surprised.

“Not yet.” Gavin shook his head as he reached for his drink.

“Why not?”

Gavin wasn’t sure how to answer. Because Ethan had sent the first message telling him his plans that morning, and Gavin had spent the hours since then deciding whether he wanted to open that door at all. Because nothing good ever followed the words “we need to talk.” Because he’d been looking forward to seeing Dom and hadn’t wanted the shadow of his marriage and the ghost of his ex-husband taking up space between them.

He settled for the part of the truth that wouldn’t leave him too exposed. “I haven’t decided whether I care.”

Dom gave him a look that said he didn’t believe that answer. “He’s your ex-husband.”

“Which is usually a pretty good reason for not wanting to talk to him.”

“You were married to him. You have to care a little.” Dom cleared his throat and shifted in his chair, turning to look toward Lucia’s stroller, but she was still asleep.

Gavin studied the tension in his profile. “Do you want me to care?”

Dom’s head whipped around. “What? No.”

“Then what are we doing?”

“I don’t know.” Dom dragged one hand over his jaw. “I’m just trying to figure out what him texting you means.”

Gavin leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. He grabbed an empty straw wrapper and tied it in a knot. “It doesn’t mean anything yet. Ethan sent me a few texts. That’s all.”

“But he’s coming here,” Dom said.

“He says he is.” Gavin tied another knot.

“And he wants to see you.”

“Apparently.”

Dom stared at him. “You’re being really calm about this.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “I’ve had years of practice dealing with Ethan.”

“I think that was supposed to make me feel better,” Dom said. “But it’s not as reassuring as you think.”