Page 53 of Embracing James

The next afternoon, Paul ensured there was an increased watch on the salon. The nice thing about having money meant he could pay people handsomely to keep an eye on his love’s business. The building belonged to him and he refused to allow someone to fuck with it. He ensured the security team would stay out of sight, but have constant eyes on the former theater and the Annex building. It made him feel safer to know James was protected.

He headed to Shaker to check the water problem at the apartment building. According to the reports he’d been given, the water main should be fixed soon, but that didn’t make it easier for the people going without water. He’d brought in more bottled water for the tenants, but he wished the main would be fixed faster.

He spoke to Hudson, his superintendent of the Shaker building, then left the office. A dull ache formed behind his eyes and he wanted to go home.

As he left the building, Noel strode up to him. For fuck’s sake. What did this jackass want now?

“Hold up,” Noel said. He caught up to Paul. “Where are you going? Leaving so soon?”

“I need to head home.”

Noel straightened Paul’s tie. “You look different.”

“I feel different.” He twiddled with his keys. “Do you need something?”

“I wanted to talk to my friend.” Noel grinned.

Noel wore sunglasses and Paul couldn’t tell what his former boyfriend was thinking. Right now, it didn’t matter. He didn’t give a shit about Noel.

“Are you available for coffee?” Noel asked. “We haven’t caught up in a long time. I sent some texts, but I doubt they went through.”

“If you did, then I never got them.” He’d lied, but he didn’t care.

“I should resend.” Again, Noel grinned. “So how about that coffee?”

“I need to get moving. I’ve got another appointment. See you around.” Paul sidestepped his ex and rushed over to his car. He slid behind the wheel and kept the windows up, despite the heat, as he drove away. He’d wasted too much time with Noel in the past and didn’t have time for him now.

He drove to the salon and parked in the warehouse. He left his vehicle next to James’ and headed into the salon. Along the way, he had a spark of an idea. If he and James moved in together, James wouldn’t need the apartment. There were at least four units in the building that could be rented that way. With the warehouse space, the building would be perfect for an art space. He could turn the apartments into housing for artists and the warehouse into workspace. He’d have to talk to James first, since it was his apartment Paul wanted to rent back out and the warehouse space where James parked his car, but if they designated space for the cars…the building could be an art mecca.

He headed into the salon with an extra spring in his step. Doob trotted right up to him and collided with his shins.

James dusted his chair off, then glanced over his shoulder. “Doob.” He spotted Paul and brightened. “Hi. I wasn’t expecting you here today.”

“I got done a little early.” He kissed his boyfriend. “The water issue in Shaker should be fixed by tomorrow, but I’ve kept the tenants happy for now, so that helps.”

“Good.” James tucked his hands into Paul’s front pockets. “Does this mean we can have another date tonight?”

“We can.” He rested his forehead on James’ and sighed. “I have a question for you.”

“Sure.” James brushed his nose along Paul’s. “What?”

“Would you be interested in moving in with me?”

James froze, then leaned back a bit. “Uh…you really want that?”

“You practically live there already and I’d rather have you with me all the time. I love waking up beside you, having you there when I go to bed, sharing my life with you…why not?”

James shrugged. “I never thought about it.”

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t have an ulterior motive, too.”

“Oh?” James crooked his eyebrow. “What’s that? Going to ask me to marry you?”

He hadn’t considered that, but he liked the idea. “Not exactly.”

“Then?” James didn’t pull away, but he did tense.

“I’m debating turning the Annex into an art enclave. We don’t have a place for artists to congregate, live and work. Not really. There’s the community center, but you can’t work there all the time,” Paul said. “I looked at the warehouse and the wasted space. Why not put it to use? You’d still have the back entrance to the salon and it’d be all yours. Plus, I’d like to get back to using the theater for more than just wasted space. Since I bought the building, it’s been empty.”

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