Page 21 of Second Chances in Cedarwood

As he strode up to the door, he noticed the sign.Closed.What the hell? Closed? Already? He didn’t see the additionalsold-outsign. He knocked on the door. Was Jack even there?

Anna appeared and opened the door. She waved. “Hey, you. He left early so we closed. Come in.” She ushered him into the dining room. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” He frowned. “He left?”

“He did.” She flipped the lock in place. “If I don’t do that and someone sees you in here, they’ll think we’re open and forgot to turn the sign.” She pulled the blind down over the window in the door. “There was a guy he knew. He knows everyone and I swear, he never gets through a day without a friend or whatever coming through.” She shook her head. “I know. It’s not his usual.”

“I guess not.” Not that he knew what Jack’s usual was… They hadn’t been together long enough for him to.So much for feeling special.

“His old flame, Josh, came by. They chatted, and Jack said he wanted to go. Who knows why? He doesn’t tell me.” She shrugged. “He hears all the gossip and keeps quiet. I knew he’d dated Josh a few times, but I didn’t think he’d leave with him.”

“With him?”Well, shit.“I should go.” He wasn’t sticking around where he wasn’t wanted.

“Whoa. Don’t worry about Jack. He’s your guy.” She held up both hands. “I don’t think there’s anything to him going. Really.”

“Sure.” Still, he should walk away while he still had some dignity and before his emotions got the better of him. “Thanks, Anna.”

“Wait.” She touched his arm, stopping him. “Jack’s not the type to screw around. He might not have told me what was going on, but I’m sure it’s nothing too terrible. When his mother died, he said so. When his father remarried, Jack clued me in. I knew when he broke up with his last three boyfriends and he’s never asked anyone to work for him—not the way he did with you. Trust me and him. Okay?”

“I will.” He forced a smile. “Thanks.”

“Now you can go.” She waved him out of the restaurant and grinned. “I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

He nodded. She’d reassured him, yet confused and upset him, too. He’d thought he had a good thing with Jack.Thought we have decent communication.He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but something felt off.

Henry wandered home and his thoughts never ventured far from Jack. He could call, but if there was something important happening, then Jack didn’t need the distraction. When he reached his condo, his shoulders sank and he sighed. Getting upset wasn’t going to help anything.

Screw it.He didn’t know what he didn’t know and couldn’t react to the unknown. When he saw Jack or talked to him next, he’d sort this out.

* * * *

Jack forked his fingers into his hair and growled. He’d thought he was helping Josh, but he’d been hornswoggled.Damn it.Josh had wanted someone to move his furniture—not his father’s and not to help his father move into an assisted living facility. He gritted his teeth and stared out of the windshield at the parked car in front of his. He’d lost precious time at the shop and he hadn’t gotten to see Henry.

He had to see his boyfriend. If anyone could brighten his day, it was his man. He’d acted foolish, although his heart had been in the right place when he’d offered to give Josh a hand. Trust Josh to take advantage.

Jack pulled out of the parking spot and drove over to Henry’s housing development. Henry had said he lived in seven-twelve. Where in the hell was seven-twelve? He drove around the blocks, looking for Henry’s car. Most of the condos had some sort of decoration out front—a wreath, special outdoor lighting, or rock formations. He finally located Henry’s condo, seven-twelve. The one with the plain and orderly front yard. Jack pulled in and parked.

He left the car and headed right up to Henry’s front door. Before Jack rang the bell, Henry appeared.

“Hi,” Henry said and opened the door. “I never thought you’d be on my stoop.”

“I didn’t expect to come here just now.” He stepped into the condo. He wasn’t sure what he’d imagined Henry’s place would be like, but the sparseness and dark colors weren’t it. “Sorry. Am I interrupting something?”

“No.” Henry gestured to the sofa. “Sit?”

“I don’t tend to go on raw emotion or act carelessly. I should’ve called first.” He paced the length of the living room. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re going to wear a hole in my carpet.” Henry touched Jack’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

He stopped moving. The simple gesture, touching him, send a calming vibe through him. Jack sank onto the sofa. “The truth is, I needed to see you. It’s been a day and I needed to center—with you.”

“I’m here.” Henry sat with him. “Are you okay?”

“I can’t say long because I have to get back to the shop. Prep work never ends.” He was rambling. “Sorry.”

“You’ve said that already.” Henry hadn’t yelled. Hadn’t argued. Hadn’t come at him with attitude.

Jack sighed. “I heard you stopped at the restaurant. I missed you.” He held Henry’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know, I’ve said it already, but I am.”

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