Page 12 of Embracing James

“I’m sorry.” Was he pushing too hard like Craig?

“Me, too. We kissed and tried to get something going, but it wouldn’t. It wasn’t there. Whateveritis, we didn’t have it. He wanted to be with me so much that he believed we were together. We weren’t. I’ve tried to stay away from him and I’ve largely been successful, but he comes around every so often.”

“And the guy at the coffee shop?”

“He’s another mutual friend and he’s one of my clients. He’s closer to Craig than me and likes to start shit. Truth be told, he’s angry that Craig keeps chasing me instead of him and he’s angry that I haven’t told Craig to get lost so Craig will chase him. I’ve told Craig to get lost and he doesn’t get the message.”

“That’s messed up.”

“It is.”

“What are you going to do?” And how could he help?

“Ignore him, I guess. It’ll blow over.”

“You’re sure?” He’d known his share of Craigs in his life and they didn’t always fade away. Some could be damn persistent.

“No.” James stroked Doob’s fur. “Why? You helped me with my staffing problem. Do you have any suggestions for this?”

“Date me.” He wasn’t sure why he’d let that tidbit pop out, but there was no taking it back. He wanted to be with James and this might be their chance.

James paled again. “What?”

“Hear me out. If you’re with someone—even if it’s only in theory—then you’ve moved on and so can those two.” He’d love to be dating James for real, but he’d accept fake for now.

“You’d do that?” The earnestness in James’ eyes pushed Paul to want this more.

“I would.” Being in a sham relationship would give them time to cultivate a real one. All they needed was time and some proximity. He knew the spark was real and would grow.

James didn’t reply right away, but then started to nod.

“You want to?” Paul asked.

“Yes.” James grasped Paul’s hand. “I do.”

He loved the way James’ hand felt in his. The tingles increased and his heart beat faster. He caught the slight hitch in James’ breathing and the new sparkle in his eyes. Was it all on account of being saved? Or feeling safe? Paul rubbed the back of James’ hand. If he worked hard enough, he and James could truly be together.

“And it’s not real, right?” James asked, a bit breathless.

“Right.” Except he wanted it to be real and he could swear James did, too.

“And after what…a month? We could re-evaluate. You know, decide if this farce is worth keeping up? Yeah?” James caressed Paul’s palm. “We might realize we’re not compatible. That this isn’t going to work.”

“What if it does work? Just in case it might?” He had to throw that out there.

“Then we see if it does. I have my doubts, but then I have them about relationships in general. Being unlucky in love tends to do that to a person.” James blushed.

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” He’d had his share of rough relationships, but that didn’t mean that every time he tried love, it would be a disaster. He had a good feeling about this pairing with James.

James squeezed Paul’s fingers. “I guess you’re right.”

“You guess?” He thought he’d been more convincing than that.

“I’m warming up to the idea,” James said. “At least you’re stable and have a job. My last boyfriend expected me to pay for everything and let him mooch off me. You’d be surprised by how much I don’t make. The salon is jumping, but the insurance is high, the electricity isn’t cheap and the supplies have gone up in price in the last year. If I don’t hike my prices, I won’t make shit.”

“I know how that is and I can carry my weight.” He’d have to work out a compromise on the electricity. James shouldn’t be paying for the electric in the whole theater. Truth be told and if given the opportunity, he’d spoil James rotten. “I should go. You’ve got things to do, I’m sure, and I have to handle some business.” He stood. “But I feel good about this, what we’re doing.”

“I do, too, but something occurs to me.” James stood and walked with him to the door. “If we’re going to pretend to be together, we should probably be seen together and do stuff in public.”

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