Page 6 of Embracing James

But if the big concern was Paul’s looks and flamboyance, then why did he think James wouldn’t understand? In that respect, they were a lot alike.

Oh well. James had gotten his way, right? He could keep his dog and his salon.

Score two for him.

Except the victories felt hollow.

James hurried to his door to take Doob for a walk. He had to work off his nervous and frustrated energy. Had to.

Sure, he could think of a few other ways to do it, but that wasn’t going to happen at the moment.

He leashed Doob, then left the apartment. As he walked down to the main doors, his phone buzzed. If it was Paul, he’d scream. Part of him wanted to kiss Paul, but the rest of him wanted to clobber him for being so dense.

He checked the screen. Not Paul. Instead, Duke was on the other end of the line. He sighed with relief. Good. He needed a true friend. “Hi.”

“Hi. You sound tense,” Duke said. “Is this a bad time?”

“No, not really. What’s up?” He left the building and walked toward the square with Doob.

“Maybe I should ask you that. Where are you?” Duke asked.

“Walking the dog along the square. Why? Are you back in town? I thought you were on tour.” The last he knew, Duke was in California or somewhere.

“We’re all at the gazebo. Winston and Harmon just got engaged and I thought you should know,” Duke said. “I see you. Hang on and I’ll be right over.”

James hung up and spotted his friend coming toward him. As much as he didn’t want to think about Paul, he should get his problem talked over with a disinterested third party. “Hi.”

“Hey.” Duke strode up to him, then petted Doob. “Hi, guy. You both look good, despite sounding like the world is ending. What’s wrong? Can’t be that they got engaged. You just found out, right? I mean, you set them up, so you should be happy.”

“I’m thrilled they’re together and even more so that they’re engaged. And yes, you’re the first to tell me.” He held on to Doob’s leash. “Mind walking with us? He’s been cooped up today and wants to go.”

“Sure.” Duke fell in step with him. “What’s wrong? You’re prickly and you’re never prickly.”

“Do you remember Pauly? He’s the sexy guy who hangs out at the salon sometimes and wears more makeup than I do. He wears it well, too. He sweeps up for me sometimes and is a nice guy—hewasa nice guy.”

“Was? What happened?” Duke shoved his hands into his pockets. “What did you do?”

James rubbed his forehead. Things were a mess and he didn’t know how to fix them. Besides, he didn’t like hearing the truth, that he’d helped to create the mess. “Last night we were out for a walk—Doob and I—and we ran into Pauly. He mentions singles night at the Jester, then suggests we go together so we won’t have to play the singles games.”

“So he flirted. Sounds awful.” Duke snorted. “Truly.”

“In the moment, it was nice, but I didn’t accept.”

“Jesus, James. He flirted with you. He likes you. Why in the name of fuck didn’t you go?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Why?”

He stepped around a smashed can on the sidewalk. “He said he knew where I lived and it struck me as odd.”

“People can’t know where you live?”

“Not when I thought it was private.” Maybe not so private after all.Shit.Did lots of people know his address? He shook his head. “He knew Doob’s name and about the Annex. It creeped me out.”

“Um, if he swept up after you, then he heard you call the dog’s name. That’s not strange.” Duke frowned. “The dog is your mascot and it’s common knowledge where you live. Do an internet search. It’s out there.”

“You’re shitting me.”

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