Page 8 of Embracing James

“Stop being so dramatic.” Duke held both hands up. “I see Roy coming, so I’ll be quick.”

“He won’t let you talk?” The nerve! He and Duke had been friends since school and if Roy didn’t like that, then tough shit.

“No, I’d rather be getting sweaty with him than you,” Duke said. “Plus, the paparazzi will show up if we hang out here for too long. Winston…er…Michael is still a huge draw and now that he’s engaged, it’ll make his value shoot up.”

“Oh.” That made sense, but still. He hated being rushed.

“You want to be loved. You need it, but you’re afraid and I get that. The thing is you use your attitude and face as a shield. Once you’re glammed up, you’re untouchable. What if you went without it? I don’t mean don’t make up your face, but what if you left the shield behind? What if you give in and admit you want love? Give him a chance and he just might be what you want.”

“He’s forty-five.”Why in the name of fuck did I say that?

“Christ.”

“What?”

“You’ll do anything to talk yourself out of this.” Duke shook his head. “Do what you want, but don’t whine when he moves on.”

“Duke.” He’d been wounded by Duke’s words. How could his friend be so right and so curt?

“He will. Guys don’t wait forever.” Duke strolled away with Roy, leaving James with Doob again.

“Well…” He wanted to be irritated and outraged. Wanted to complain. But Duke had a point. Ever since James had come out, he’d used his face as a shield. The façade was good for keeping people away and terrible at drawing them in.

He patted his hip. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

Doob trotted ahead of him. James wished he’d trained Doob to walk beside him, but the dog loved to lead the way.

James wondered what he should do next. Duke had given him a lot to think about. Guys didn’t wait forever. If they were truly good ones, they didn’t, because they were snapped up and in relationships.

Fuck.He’d assumed and made a big deal of something small.

But how would he put this right?

Hell if I know.

* * * *

The next day, James ventured out to do his shopping. He drove to the supermarket at the edge of town to buy dog food and essentials, then stopped at the Beanstro. He wasn’t much for coffee, but with enough cream, it was palatable.

He parked, then went inside. It was a nice day and the patio wasn’t full.Why not enjoy the silence and sunshine?

He ordered a regular coffee with four pumps of cream, then paid. As he waited, he glanced around the room. He spotted Paul there with another man and his heart squeezed.Jesus.Duke hadn’t been kidding. Paul had moved on already. Why shouldn’t he? He was a handsome man and looked so sexy with his face on. He certainly got James’ motor running.

But he wasn’t available.

Fine.

James accepted his coffee, then ducked out to the patio. So much for enjoying the sunshine. He wanted to leave, but he’d already made up his mind to take a break.

He chose a bench and propped his cup on his thigh, then watched the traffic. He didn’t have many moments to just sit and enjoy not having something to do.

Nick, one of his clients, strolled up to him. “Hey, you. You’re alone. No doggo?”

“He’s at home. I had to get dog food and it’s hard to wrangle him and the bag.” Not entirely a lie. Doob always wanted to rip into the bag the second James brought it home.

“Ah.” Nick sat beside him. “You’re alone.”

“You said that.” He sipped the coffee and burned the roof of his mouth.Fuck.He gritted his teeth to keep from showing his discomfort.

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