Page 161 of The Husband Game

So he held his head high as he sailed into the family lounge on Birdie’s arm.

He wasn’t surprised to see Dustin already there talking to a middle-aged couple and a woman a few years older than Charlie.

“Kitten!” Dustin’s face brightened when he saw him. “C’mere, I want you to meet my parents.”

Aware of their gazes on him, Charlie crossed the room, knowing they were taking in every little detail from his spike-heeled boots to his lightly distressed jeans and the jersey knotted at his waist. With a bold lip, feathery lashes, and his hair in a little tumble of curls on his forehead.

Casual yet glamorous. A little femme, a little masculine. 100% Charlie.

Dustin pulled him close, kissing his cheek. “You look amazing,” he whispered in Charlie’s ear.

Aloud, he said, “Mom, Dad, Em, this is my husband, Charlie Monaghan. Charlie, these are my parents, Theo and Meredith Fowler. And my sister Emily.”

“Hi!” Emily said, immediately leaning in for a hug. “Oh, it is so great to finally meet you, Charlie. I can’t believe we skated together for years but never had a chance to hang out. I am so glad we’re fixing that now.”

“Lovely to meet you too,” Charlie said, hugging her back.

She was petite but strong looking, with dark hair and the same bright smile Dustin had. She really was gorgeous. And there was nothing but warm sincerity in her eyes.

Charlie turned and faced Dustin’s parents.

His dad was basically an older version of Dustin. With graying hair and more wrinkles, plus a little more around the middle.

Definitely handsome.

Something to look forward to there, Charlie thought wryly but he froze as he realized what he’d thought.

Was he … was he actually thinking about that kind of future with Dustin? Was he imagining growing old with him?

Holy shit.

But that was not a thought for now, not when Dustin’s mom was reaching out to pull Charlie into a hug.

She was blonder than the rest of her family—though probably not naturally. Pretty, but in a comfortable, middle-aged sort of way. Unpretentious. Casual in her jeans and jersey with only a little makeup on.

Meredith drew back with a warm smile. “It’s so great meet you, Charlie. We’re sorry you couldn’t make it to Italy this summer.”

“Uhh, Italy?” Charlie asked, glancing at Dustin. He vaguely remembered Dustin talking about a trip to Italy he’d cancelled but he’d had no idea it had anything to do with the rest of the Fowlers.

Meredith smiled. “Oh, Theo and I spent our fortieth anniversary touring Europe. It was supposed to end with both our kids meeting us in Rome for a week at the beginning of August. You were invited too, of course, but I’m guessing my son failed to mention it when he RSVPed no for the both of you.”

“You are correct,” Charlie said dryly.

Meredith shot Dustin an exasperated look. “Really, Dustin?”

He gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry. We had so much going on right then I figured it was an easy choice.”

“Hey. Next time, tell me about any trips to Europe I’m invited on, mister.” Charlie poked his chest, in the Fisher Cats logo. “I wouldn’t have turned that down. Although … you do have a point. We were very busy right then.”

Charlie had been trying to get settled into Toronto, find a therapist, make friends, and get his job squared away. Not to mention adjusting to living with a virtual stranger.

“I didn’t want to mess up anything with your job. I knew that was important to you.” Dustin gave him an apologetic look. “I should have told you about it so we could make the decision together though. I realize that now.”

Charlie giggled. “Apology appreciated but what was with the media soundbites there, Captain Hockey? You sound like you do in your interviews when you don’t want to answer a question but know you have to.”

A muffled snort came from Charlie’s right. “Charlie has a point, son. Reminds me of my playing days.”

“He was the worst when we started dating too,” Meredith said with a little laugh. “I’d ask him about if we were getting serious or if it was a fling and he’d answer like he was dissecting the power play.”

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