Page 33 of Embracing James

Paul managed to stand, then shook hands with her. “Paul. Good to meet you. Are you in the cosmetology program at the vo-ed?”

“I’m in the business program.” She beamed. “I wanted to work with a business and see how it’s run. Mr. Mason was willing to let me work here and says I can have the receptionist position when I graduate in October.”

“Very good.” Paul met James’ gaze. “Smart move.” He moved through the turnstile.

“Thanks.” James patted his thigh for Doob. “Come on, Doob.”

James left Casey at the reception desk. “She’s a good egg. She’s competent with the system, cordial with the guests already, and she’s fit in well. I met her back at the LGBTQ center. She was there in the shelter portion with her girlfriend. She’s sweet and she’s doing a good job, even after only a couple of hours. We’ll see how she works out in a month, but I feel good about her being here.”

“Good.” He joined James and Doob in James’ office. “Do you have lots of clients today? If you have time for a break, I brought lunch.”

Doob sniffed the bag and nosed the handles open.

“Thank you.” James pushed the other chair up to his desk. “Be right back.”

He placed the sandwiches on the desk and neatened the piles of paperwork. If given the chance, he’d gladly help straighten the stacks. But only if James gave him the go-ahead.

James returned a moment later. “Okay. I needed to let Casey know I’m on break. I’ve got two new stylists and two students in addition to her working today. Lance and Ky are on probation, but they started this morning. They’re good and competent, but I’ll leave the door open to keep an eye on them.”

“Smart. You’re a smart guy.” He’d wanted the door closed so he and James could make out, but he understood. He kept his eye on his people, too.

“How’s things?” James opened his sandwich. “Thank you for this. It smells delicious.”

“I hoped you’d have time to eat and you’d be hungry.” He opened his own sandwich. “I bought the Nesper Street house and thought we could celebrate.”

“Congrats.” James beamed. “You’re fantastic.”

“I just told Tad and I could swear he was crying, but didn’t want me to hear it.”

“I bet he was. He’s tenderhearted.” James bit into his sandwich and groaned. “I didn’t realize how much I needed food and to sit down.”

“You deserve it.” He watched James devour his food. The guy did seem to need to eat. He was too thin for his own good. “Do you take many breaks?”

“No.” James continued to eat. “I spend too much time working. I need to keep stylists and not be so popular, but seventy-five percent of my stylists leave to start their own salons. My services are popular, so I’m always busy, which helps the bottom line, but not my sanity.”

“You need to balance yourself more.”

“I do.” James put the sandwich down. “I’m not good at delegating. I worked too hard to get Dye Hard off the ground and I don’t want to see it go down.”

“But you can’t keep it afloat on your own.”

“Pretty much.”

“Give yourself a break. You did a good job with the business.” He reached across the table and held James’ hand. “Trust yourself.”

“I know.”

“What do you want to do tonight? I said we’d go out, but I’m game to stay in,” Paul said. “You seem tired, so why don’t you come over and we’ll have dinner?”

“We were supposed to do that last night.” James grinned and his eyes shimmered. “But I’d like a quiet night.”

“Then it’s settled. Bring some kibble for Doob, a change of clothes, toothbrush, and we’ll have a date at my place.”

“I’d love that.”

“Good.” He squeezed James’ fingers. “I’ll clean up here, then meet you at the condo.”

“You bet.” James let go and finished his sandwich. He groaned a few more times. “This is really good.”

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