Page 14 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“You’ve mentioned that, and I disagree. Chemistry doesn’t lie,” he said, unabashed. “I like you. I’d like to go for a date or three and see if the chemistry is real.”Holy shit.He’d done it. He’d admitted what he wanted.

“With me?” Len’s eyes widened. “I’m a little older than you. If we keep this going, you’ll get bored with me. You’ll want someone else.”

“We won’t know until we try.” He gripped the leash tight. “We might be great for each other.”

“But Aiden…what about him?”

“He won’t care.” He wasn’t sure about Aiden, but he doubted his friend would care if he dated his father. So Isaac and Aiden were around the same age… Aiden was happy with Matt. Why couldn’t Isaac be happy too?

“I don’t know.”

Isaac bit back a sigh. “It’s fine.” He should’ve guessed Len would be against them getting together. Isaac wasn’t awful, but not young.Why be with a forty-something when you can still score with a thirty-something?

“I’m not sure.” Len finished his tea. “Speaking of doctors, how are you doing? Since I don’t see you, I haven’t kept up on what you're doing.”

“I moved into private practice and am specializing in geriatric medicine. You probably saw the building.” He sighed. Yeah, Len wasn’t interested. “Cedarwood needs a few doctors who can service the older generations. I work with lower-income folks mostly.” This time he grinned. Working with the elderly made him happy, and he was proud of his growing practice.

“Nice. I hadn’t seen you at the hospital the last time I went in for a check-up.” Len smiled. “I try to stay away from the hospital, though. I like being healthy.”

“It’s a good thing to be healthy.” He swirled the coffee around in his cup. “Well, I should go. I want to get Stan acclimated to the house. Thanks for coming with me for coffee.” He stood, then paused. He embraced the streak of courage within him. “Look, I like you. I have since I first met you. I want a guy with experience. One who has been through life a bit more than me and knows what he wants. The salt-and-pepper look is sexy to me and those crinkles around your eyes are hot. Talk to Aiden. I have no idea what he’ll say, but I don’t care.”

“Wow. Okay.” Len sagged in his seat. He half-smiled. Instead of looking at Isaac, he averted his gaze.

Isaac sighed. His courage dipped, and now he knew the score. The interest wasn’t reciprocated.Damn.“Come on, Stan. We’re going home.” He hated the hasty retreat, but putting his heart out only to be stepped on wasn’t his idea of fun. He kept his head high and left the coffee shop. His dating skills were rusty. The nurses at his office reminded him of that daily. They’d laugh if they knew he’d tried and struck out. He helped Stan into the back seat, then left the lot. A man could only take so much and being stared at like he’d stepped off a Martian rocket sucked.

Isaac flipped through his good points on his mental list. He had a good sense of humor, liked people, wanted a companion rather than a date for the night…and loved sex. Now he even had a dog. Besides, he was a doctor. Didn’t that make him a catch?

He glanced at the reflection of Stan in the rear-view mirror. “Well, bud, it’s just us and Ollie tonight. We’re going to have a freaking blast.”

Isaac groaned. He should’ve given Len time to answer, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to listen to the explanation or rejection. He drove to the closest big box pet store and, with Stan beside him, purchased supplies for the dog. He tossed so many things into the cart… Stan probably didn’t need all of them, but fuck it. Isaac didn’t care.

“I’ve got my dog, my cat, and that’s all I need.” He scratched Stan behind the ears. Too bad he didn’t believe his own words. He wanted the dog, the cat and the relationship…and to not be lonely.

* * * *

Friday night, Isaac paced the length of his living room. Ollie lay sprawled on the sofa and Stan was working on a bone on the floor. Although he had the animals, Isaac needed a diversion. He’d seen nearly fifty patients over the course of the week. His brain required rest. His body wanted recreation. The dog and cat were settled and getting along. If they were happy, why couldn’t he be, too? He dialed Dorian’s number. He’d had his share of eating cookies alone and working off the calories on his elliptical machine. He’d spoken with Len at the shelter and the sparks were still as strong as before. But he wasn’t sure how to connect with Len. He couldn’t keep adopting animals. Should he really ask Len if the dogs could get together for a pup playdate? Would that make him look odd for asking?

“Hello and yes, sir?” Dorian said. “What’s happening? Are you bored?”

“Kind of.” He sat on the arm of the overstuffed chair. “I’m getting cabin fever.”

“It’s only Friday night and you worked all week,” Dorian said. “How could you get cabin fever if you’re out and about?”

“I want to go out. Music, dancing. That’s what I need.”Anything without the sterile antiseptic scent.

“Or do you want to meet a new man?” Dorian asked. “Let me guess. You need a wingman.”

“No. I don’t want to go alone, though.” He hated clubbing solo. Every time he went out on his own, he made bad choices. Dorian knew how to rein him in. “You keep me out of trouble.”

“I try to.”

“You succeed. Please?” He’d only picked up his ex-fling, Alan, because he’d been on his own. He’d heard every one of Dorian’s protests, but he’d been determined to do something out of his ordinary. He scratched Ollie behind the ears. “We’ll have fun.”

“What time do you want me to pick you up?” Dorian asked.

“In an hour? I’ll drive.” The music and gyrating bodies had to keep his mind off his troubles.

“Fine. I’ll be ready,” Dorian said. “But I’m not hooking up with you.”

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