Page 47 of Embracing James

“I need to go. This whole fucked-up mess isn’t worth a grand.” Joel walked out of the salon.

James sagged against the receptionist stand again. Casey hurried up to him. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Fine.” He regained a little of his composure. “If either of those two comes in again, tell me. Don’t let them past the turnstile.”

“You’ve got it.” She nodded.

Ky gestured to his client. “Case? He needs to pay.” Ky touched James’ arm. “Got a moment?”

“Yeah, sure.” He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then followed Ky away from the receptionist station. Lights ringing the posters illuminated his face. “What’s up?”

“Are you okay?” Ky asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? He rattled you.”

“He tried to concoct a story about someone wanting my dog.” James sank onto one of the empty stylist chairs. “I know there’s a chance someone will come forward and claim Doob. He wandered into the salon one day and never left, but there’s a good chance he did belong to someone. They might still be looking for him. They might want him and might have felt empty without him. I can’t keep him if he belonged to someone else.”

“And that bastard brought that up, which bothered you.” Ky widened his stance and folded his arms. “That’s not fair.”

“It’s not.”

“But if they haven’t come looking for him by now, then they might not,” Ky said. “You’ve given him a good home.”

“I’m worried that he belonged to someone else.” Maybe a kid who lost their best friend when Doob ran away. Maybe a couple of kids who’ve been bereft thinking their dog was dead.

“He might, but you’ve adopted him. I’m sorry for them, but that’s how it goes sometimes. You’ve given him a good home and he’s your best bud,” Ky said. “Hang on to that.”

“Yeah.” He didn’t have much else.

“And it’s a plus that he gets along with Paul. My sister had a dog that hated her boyfriend. I meanhatedhim. The funny part? The dog was right to dislike him. The guy had been cheating on her. If Doob likes Paul, then they’re both keepers.”

“True. Did she find someone better?” James asked.

“Yeah, she met Ryan and they’ve now got two kids. The dog loves the kids and they’re a unit. I think the dog thinks the kids are his kids.” Ky shrugged. “Don’t let that jerk have power over you, especially concerning your dog. Doob is yours.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. He had to keep hold of that thought.

“But you should look into getting a no-contact order,” Ky said. “If that guy is going to behave that way, then he doesn’t belong here. You don’t need that kind of headache and we don’t want that kind of trouble. For us or you.”

James nodded. His head ached. Paul was right. Things were going so well. Of course something would have to go wrong. That was life.

“Your ex won’t stop until he kills you.” Ky shook his head. “He’s dangerous.”

He stared at Ky. He knew damn well Ky was right and he’d left Paul alone with Craig outside. “Fuck.”

“Keep yourself safe,” Ky said. “He’s bad for business, bad for you and a headache you don’t need.”

“You’re right.” He had to call the police. The longer he went without going through channels to keep Craig at bay, the more it appeared he was putting up with Craig’s shit.

Paul stood outside of the salon with Craig, blocking Craig’s access to the building. “You need to leave.” He’d put up with this jerk’s crap for long enough.

“James is mine.” Craig cocked his hip and folded his arms.

“Uh-huh.” He refused to let Craig bait him.

“This is fake,” Craig said. “You’re faking.”

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