Page 17 of Embracing James

He couldn’t stop shaking, but he managed to flip the lock on the door. “Paul?”

“He’s gone. I promise,” Paul said. “You’re safe.”

He fumbled to unlock the door the rest of the way. A moment later he succeeded. He yanked the handle. “Sorry.”

“Never apologize for the actions of someone else. You don’t control them and he’s not in control of you.” Paul ventured into the apartment. “I’m changing the means of entry to this building. We’re getting a doorman and better security on the rest of the doors. I don’t want that man here ever again.”

James sank onto the arm of the sofa. “He’s a charmer. He’ll find a way to get them to let him in.”

“I know his kind.” Paul closed the door and engaged the lock, then enfolded James in his embrace. “It’ll be okay.”

“Yeah?” He wasn’t sure how, but he liked the way being held felt.

“You’ve got me in your corner and I’m not afraid of him.” Paul rubbed James’ back. “He’s a conniving jerk, but he’s not as dangerous as he projects.”

He wished he believed that.

“I smell dinner and it smells wonderful.” Paul kept him close. “Thanks for cooking for me.”

“Oh, shit.” He detangled himself from Paul to rush to the kitchen. He grabbed the potholders and withdrew the pan from the oven. At least the cheese wasn’t too burned. “I almost forgot it was still in there.”

“Looks great, but slow down before you burn yourself.” Paul joined him in the kitchen. “Salad and lasagne? Perfect.”

“Since I managed not to burn it, yeah.” He turned off the oven. “Why don’t you carry the salad bowl to the table?”

“Sure.” Paul picked up the bowl and salad spoons. “I would’ve brought wine, but I didn’t know what you’d be making. I erred on the side of caution and waited. May I plate?”

“Sure.” He cut the lasagne into pieces and placed one piece on each of the two plates while Paul added salad to the bowls. “I’m sorry for Craig,” James said. “He’s a pest.”

“Stop.”

“No, really. You didn’t deserve to be subjected to him,” James said and filled two glasses with water. “He thinks he’s the most important person in the world.”

“I know his type. I deal with people like him when I have to do evictions. People get prickly when they think they’ll lose their home and are entitled to be there.” Paul sat across from him at the table.

“How do you know who is struggling and who doesn’t care, though?” James asked. “There must be some who are just in a bad way and others who are entitled.”

“I pay attention,” Paul said. “Honestly, I watch them, too. The ones who’ve had a run of bad luck will try to work with me. They do what they can when they can. They are the ones I tend to be more lenient with because they don’t want to be in the situation they’re in and will try to get back on a solid footing. I hired two of my best doormen that way. They needed jobs and I had jobs, so it worked out. They’re loyal and want to work.”

“Nice.” He offered over a napkin. “Thank you, by the way.”

“For?” Paul arranged the napkin on his lap.

“Getting rid of Craig.” He laced his fingers together. “I didn’t know you could glare at someone that meanly or that he’d leave, but he did and I’m grateful.”

“He’s like the other kind of tenant. The ones that think the world revolves around them and they should be able to stay because they should. When they do leave, they do it in the middle of the night and leave the apartment a mess. I have no leniency for them.” Paul stabbed at his salad. “With people like Craig, it’s a matter of projecting. I made him think I’m bigger and scarier, so he backed down. I acted like I had more confidence and he lost his.”

“Sounded like it.” James sighed. “Instead of talking about Craig, why don’t we eat up while it’s hot?”

“I will.” Paul grinned. “It smells great and you look fantastic.”

“Thank you.” He’d probably smudged his face again, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t need to impress Paul. “You aren’t wearing yours.”

“I had a meeting.”

He nodded. “Because you don’t think they’ll take you seriously if you’re gussied up?”

“Pretty much.” Paul pushed the lettuce around in his bowl. “A lot of business is conducted based on looks and if they don’t think I look the part, they won’t take me seriously.”

---