Page 29 of Embracing James

“I bet not. I bet this was a lot better than your meeting, too.” Paul tucked him to his side. “Doob and I had a good time.”

“I bet you did. He loves to cuddle.” He glanced down at the foot of the bed, where Doob had joined them. He’d curled up between James’ feet like he would’ve at the apartment. “Doob’s happy.”

“I hope you are, too.”

“I am.” He threaded his arm around Paul’s chest and shifted enough to tangle his legs with Paul’s. “This is where I want to be.”

Paul kissed him. “Was the meeting okay? We never got a chance to discuss.”

“It was the usual. The same people wanting more attention for their businesses, like theirs were the only ones in town.” He shrugged. “We have plenty of insurance companies and I wouldn’t go to any of them besides my friend Arthur’s office. He’s never pushy and he’s not trying to get everyone to buy his partner’s artwork.”

“That’s good.” Paul kissed James’ temple. “Tonight, save for the few bumps, has been just about perfect.”

He couldn’t have agreed more.

Chapter Eight

Paul held James and delighted in the moment. He liked being part of a couple and wanted to be needed. With James, he had that and so much more.

He caressed James’ bare arm. “When did you realize you wanted to be a salon owner? Not everyone is interested in owning their business.”

James chuckled softly. “When I cut my mother’s hair better than what she got at the salon. She asked me to fix her haircut and I did. She liked what I did, so I chose to pursue it. I’d cut my own hair for a couple of years by then and even worked wonders on my sister’s ’do.” He shrugged, then drew circles around Paul’s areola. “It’s something I realized I could do well.”

“Why did you dye your hair blue?” He liked the color and couldn’t imagine it being any other hue.

“No reason other than I like the color blue.” James grinned. “Plus, it works with my eyes.”

“Yes, it does.” Pink wouldn’t have had the same pop.

“I forgot to tell you I called the vocational school,” James said. “Thank you.”

“Oh? How did it go?” And why hadn’t he mentioned this before now?

“It went well. I guess they’d done other partnerships with other salons, but they wanted one that was LGBTQTIA oriented. I guess there are a lot more kids who want to style hair, but didn’t think they fit in anywhere and were fading in the program,” James said. “The second they got the chance to work with me, they wanted to start right away. In fact, I get to meet the first three students tomorrow.”

“You’re kidding! That’s great.” He kissed James. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, but it was your idea. I wouldn’t have thought of that alone.”

“But you followed through. That’s wonderful.”

“I get the first students tomorrow and they can’t cut hair or pose as stylists, but they get experience with the peripheral jobs—sweeping, receptionist duties, clean-up and making calls. When they graduate and have their license, I do have the option to hire them.”

“Great. You’ll have a more trustworthy crew this way and you might even be able to fill two salons with workers.” He traced the seam of James’ lips. “Might even be able to take time off, too.”

“One day.” James continued to trace Paul’s areola. “Did you get anywhere with the shelter purchase?”

“I’m waiting for the counteroffer, but I did put in a lowball one on the Victorian on Nesper. It’s one that Tad has been looking at,” he said. “The house he chose hasn’t had lots of offers or even looks, so I don’t know what’s the stall.”

“Maybe the owner is on vacation?” James asked.

“Could be.” He hadn’t considered that. The people he dealt with tended to want to get deals done as soon as possible. Taking time usually meant the deal wouldn’t work. “I’m glad you suggested I start the deal, though. I like Tad. He seems like a good guy and this will be something that helps the community.”

“It will and he is. I give the kids at the shelter haircuts and help them understand how to take care of their hair. Some of them have been on the streets so long they don’t remember how or they’re in such a state that a good washing isn’t the only thing they need.” He shook his head. “One poor young man was living under a bridge and covered in fleas. He hadn’t washed his hair in a month and wasn’t sure where to go to take a shower.”

“That’s terrible.”

“He was scared,” James said. “Most of them think they’re alone and unwanted, so they want to belong but aren’t sure how to ask. I’m glad they have a place to go, even if it’s too small, and I hope they get the bigger place soon.”

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