Page 17 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“Well, Dr. McLean. How are you?” Dr. Arlen Gates stood next to him. “What brings you here?”

“The conversation?” He sipped his drink and left a tip in the jar. “You?”

“I needed to get away from the wife.” Dr. Gates laughed. “I love her, but I’m suffocating.”

He nodded and smiled, but said nothing. He wasn’t wild about airing relationship grievances to anyone who listened.

“What about you? When are you going to settle down?” Dr. Gates asked. “You’re the most eligible bachelor at the office.”

“Nah, but I’m enjoying my single status.” The right guy had to find him.

“You’re too good to be single.” Dr. Gates wandered away with his glass of wine.

Well…okay.Isaac finished his drink, then abandoned the glass on the bar. He spotted Dorian deep in conversation with a dark-haired man. Isaac ventured back to the general area of the Law Lounge. He appreciated the classy elitism of the club. His ex would never fit in at the club. Which was good, since he didn’t want to see his ex.

Isaac wandered past the Law Lounge and stopped when he detected the collection of voices. He recognized Len’s voice. He and Len kept turning up in the same places. Should he venture in and speak to Len? Keep his distance? Every time Len spoke, he got the shivers.

“Len, what are you going to do now that you’re in Cedarwood?” a male voice asked.

“Preferably volunteer. I don’t want to go back to the courtroom,” Len said. “I’m good in retirement.”

Isaac nodded. He looked damn fine in retirement.

“When are you going to settle down?” the male voice asked. “Keye’s gone. Ross left. You need to find someone.”

“I’ve had my eye on a person, but the timing hasn’t been right,” Len said. “I want to say something to him, but he isn’t into me.”

Shame.Isaac shook his head. If he knew the guy, he wanted to think he’d encourage the man to be with Len.Nah.He’d try to keep them apart so he could have Len instead.

“Len, tell the guy,” a second male voice said. “I would.”

“I just moved and I’m settling into my routine. I’ll get there,” Len said. “Besides, I’m good with my dog. She’s loyal, more than some of you bastards.”

Isaac laughed. Len could be so candid and funny.

Dorian strode up to Isaac. “There you are.”

His cheeks burned. He’d been eavesdropping and could be found out at any time. Dorian talking so loudly didn’t help. “Hush.”

“Why?” Dorian sighed. “Why are you standing outside the Law Lounge? Is your boyfriend in there?”

Fuck.Isaac steered Dorian away from the doorway. “Keep your voice down.”

“If the guy is in there, go get him,” Dorian said. The scent of rum swirled around him and he slurred his words.

“How much have you had to drink? We haven’t been here that long.” If Dorian wasn’t careful, he’d get them thrown out.

“I did shots with Lewis.” Dorian swatted at him. “I thought he liked me.”

“I’m guessing he didn’t?”Damn.Dorian had the worst luck with men.

Dorian threw his arms around Isaac. “He wanted me for the night. Said I’m not worth longer.” His voice cracked. “I’m worth more than one night.”

“You are.” He spotted people leaving the Law Lounge. Len met his gaze for a moment. Isaac tensed. He didn’t want to be caught with a sloppy, weepy Dorian and give Len the wrong impression. “Let’s go.”

“Do you love me?” Dorian asked. He sagged into Isaac. “Do you?”

“I do.” Time to go. He hoped Len didn’t remember what he’d seen.

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