Page 36 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“I noticed you meet up with Len a lot. Are things…serious?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He shut down his tablet and placed the device in the tray on his desk. “We’re exclusive.”

“Any chance you’ll move in together?”

“Slow down.” He hadn’t told Len he loved him yet. That had to happen before they moved in together. No, Len had toaskhim if he wanted him to move in before anything else. Isaac didn’t believe in barging into a relationship that way. “Maybe eventually, but not yet.”

“You should. Marry him while you’re at it. Neither of you should be on the market,” she said.

“We should be together and off the market or just out of circulation?”

“Smart aleck.” She shook her head. “Go home and love that man silly.”

“If you insist.” He donned his jacket.

“I do.”

She’d said something that stuck with him. “Do you enjoy that development? Know a lot of the people there?”

“I do.” She hesitated. “It’s quiet, clean, diverse…why? Don’t you buy a home there. Move in with Len. That’s where you belong.”

“Eventually,” Isaac said. He longed to leave the tiny apartment and have room to move. Room for the animals to play. First, he wanted some answers. “Do you know a man by the name of Brandon? He lives close to Len.”

“Yes. Newsome. What about him? Don’t tell me you like him.” She shook her head. “He’s bad news. He’ll use you and you’re better off with Len. In fact, if you’re looking to dump Len for him, I’ll have to do something I regret. I respect the hell out of Len.”

“Whoa.” He held up both hands. “Brandon likes to show up uninvited and makes comments about being with Len. He claims they were a thing, he and I were once a thing and I’d turned him down. I’ve never seen him before I went to Len’s.” Isaac sank onto his desk. “Is he popular?”

“He thinks he’s God’s gift to gay men. He’s not.” She waved her fingers. “Don’t worry about him. He gloms onto every new man who moves in and he claims they were a thing, but they aren’t. It’s a lot in his mind and a little in reality. He tries to say he’s with everyone so they’ll like him. It’s sad. He deserves someone who can care for him in the way he needs, but he won’t stop long enough to let that person in.”

“Ah.” He slung his bag over his shoulder and checked his pockets for his personal phone, his keys and wallet.

“He’s greedy, but harmless. I’ve known him for five years. He’s never been with the same man for very long and is always looking for the next score.” She shrugged. “If you’re not interested in him and neither is Len, but you love each other, then you’ve found your man.”

“I guess I have.” He refused to argue with her. She was right. “I appreciate the information.”

“Anytime.” She escorted him out of the office. “Now get some love.”

“I need to get Stan first.” He walked with her down the corridor to the back of the building. He should’ve gone out of his personal exit, but wanted to listen to her. He liked Elise and the more time he spent around her, the more he thanked fate she’d been assigned to him as his receptionist.

“Then get out of here.” She waved. “Let the pup out and get your man. See you Monday.”

“Bright and early. Have a good weekend.”

“You, too.”

Isaac left the office and his heart beat faster. He’d see Len soon. No patients, no complaining, no sad stories for a little while. He needed his man in his arms. Once he stopped at his apartment, he picked up his overnight bag and Stan, then fed Ollie. Was Cissy fond of cats? He should figure that out if the dog would get along with his cat. If he and Len had a future together, they’d have to mingle their pets. He wasn’t giving up his cat.

Would he risk his relationship for a cat?

He wanted a future with Len, but Ollie wasn’t a throwaway item.

He locked up and headed downstairs with Stan. He should start leaving clothes at Len’s place. They were a month into the relationship and it might be too early, but what if they went the distance? Instead of thinking about what could be, he pushed the thoughts aside and focused on driving to Len’s.

Ten minutes later, he pulled into the housing development. Being there felt like coming home. He didn’t have to check the signs or look at the houses. He knew his way to Len’s by heart. His comfort level increased.

He turned into Len’s driveway. Aiden’s car was already there. Isaac hesitated a beat.Shit.He hadn’t known Aiden would be there. What would he have done if he had known? Waited? Stayed home a little longer? Insisted Aiden go?

Why was he so worried?Jesus.He knew Aiden. They were friends. This shouldn’t be so hard. He could handle being around Aiden. They’d run into each other again eventually. He wasn’t sure what to say to Aiden, but he’d figure it out.

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