Page 55 of Embracing James

“Good.” He accepted the leash. “You and Doob are a matched set. No one should split that up.”

“Not even you?”

“I want to be your partner and co-parent to Doob.”

“I’d like to keep doing that.” James sighed. “My next appointment is at three-thirty. See you at six?”

“We’ll be there.” He scratched Doob behind the ears, then patted his own hip. “Ready, Doob?”

The dog barked and his nails clicked on the floor.

“He’s ready.” James kissed Paul once more. “I’ll be home around six-thirty.”

“Love you.” He winked, then left the salon with Doob. He helped the dog onto the back seat of his car. Once he clicked the dog’s leash into place in the seatbelt, he closed the door, then rounded the hood and settled behind the wheel. He left the garage and ensured the door closed behind him, then drove home to his condo.

He rolled the windows part way down for air to move through the vehicle and keep Doob cool. He motored through town, taking in the sights. He noted the lack of artistic spaces and the various shops selling every kind of art. Why not have a place for the artists to get together?

He drove through the housing development to his condo and parked in the garage. Once the door was down, he retrieved Doob from the backseat. “Want to go out?” He opened the main door for the dog, then followed him through the condo to the sliding door. He unlocked both the door and the screen, then let the dog roam the backyard. He stood on the patio and removed his tie. He shrugged out of his sport coat and sat on the railing.

Doob sniffed all around the yard, then did his business. He did a few laps simply running around in the grass.

“You’ve really got energy to burn off.” Paul laughed. He wished he had that much zeal. The day had worn him out. He couldn’t wait to open a bottle of wine, cook some ziti and have a nice dinner with the man he loved. He wasn’t sure how long he sat outside, but the quiet and time alone with the dog soothed him. It refreshed him.

The doorbell rang and Paul froze. He hadn’t heard the doorbell in forever. No one came over and when they did, they rarely used the bell. He herded the dog back into the condo, then shut the sliding door before heading to the front.

Paul checked the security screen for his doorbell and groaned.

Noel.

Of course. He’d made some progress with James and this would have to be the next step—his ex trying to fuck it up. He shushed Doob, who growled, then stepped out onto the front patio.

“Noel.” Paul rested his hands on his hips. “You’re here.”

“I thought you lived in this development. It’s nice. Pricey. Secluded.”

Not secluded enough if his ex had found him. He hadn’t lived here when he’d dated Noel. “What are you doing here?”

“Seeing you. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Noel asked. He rocked on his heels. “I mean, we’re old friends.”

He swore he still heard Doob growling. “I can’t.” He didn’t want to risk Doob barking up a storm at Noel.

“You have a dog? You hate dogs,” Noel said. “You refused to play with my sister’s dog.”

“I never actually refused. The dog wasn’t given the chance to play.” Noel’s sister Nella kept the Chihuahua on her lap the entire time. “But my dog isn’t fond of strangers.”

“I’m not a stranger. We were lovers.” Noel reached for Paul.

“What do you want?” Paul asked. “I’m expecting someone.” Not for a little while, but still. Noel didn’t need to know that.

“Oh? Does your someone know about the dog?”

“He does.” Why did he have to explain that to Noel?

“Does this someone know about your use of makeup? Your proclivities?” Noel snapped. “Does he know you’re not like everyone else? Hmm?”

“He does.” He had to keep his voice calm. Letting Noel know he’d irritated Paul would only give Noel energy.

“And he—it is a he?”

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