Page 9 of Embracing James

“Why aren’t you with someone?” Nick asked. “I thought you had a boyfriend. Craig?”

“Craig wasn’t my boyfriend.” He was more like a mistake. Craig didn’t understand the concept of a one-night stand or being too clingy. Craig wanted everything all the time, but he couldn’t have it. James hadn’t wanted a relationship and hadn’t wanted someone so pushy.

“Craig told me he was and you got upset when he had your name inked into his arm.” Nick folded his hands on his lap.

“He carved my name into his arm.” It wasn’t a tattoo. Seeing his name on Craig’s body had freaked him out. A tattoo was one thing, but this was more and scary.

“He had it inked over.”

His stomach churned. “Good for him.” He didn’t want to talk about the ink or whatever or his ex.

“He’s trying to find you,” Nick said. “He misses you.”

I’m not hard to find.Christ.He had a freaking movie theater for his salon, drove an antique roadster, and he stuck out in town. “We split.” More like he’d run the hell away from Craig, but he wasn’t going to argue with Nick. He’d also have to move Nick to another stylist.

“I know and I told him to move on, but he thinks there’s still a chance.” Nick shrugged. “You’re single. He’s single. Why not give it a second go?”

“He carved my name onto his arm and he stalked me. I’m not into dating guys who don’t understand no means no.” James left the bench. “I need to get moving. The dog needs me.”Fuck.What would Craig do? If he hurt Doob, James would lose his damn mind.

“Sorry.” Nick shot to his feet. “I just wanted to warn you he’s looking for you.”

“Thanks.”A warning. Jesus Christ.He surged across the patio and collided with a solid wall of man. He tossed his coffee out of reflex and grunted. “Sorry.”

“Whoa.”

He knew that voice. He looked up into the eyes of Paul.Motherfucker.Could his visit to the Beanstro get any worse? “Did I spill coffee on you?”

“No.” Paul herded him off to the side by the juniper bushes. “Are you okay?”

“No.” He massaged his temples. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to crash into you. That was rude.”

“It’s fine.” Paul tipped his head. “You’re shaking.”

“I am.” He’d be okay when he got back to his apartment and could check on Doob. His possessions didn’t matter, but Doob did. “I should go.”

“Wait.” Paul slid his arm around him. “You’re still shaking and I won’t leave you like this. Let me help you.”

“I need to go home.”

“Do you need a ride? I’m heading there, too.” Paul rubbed James’ back. “I can give you a lift.”

“I drove.” He sighed. He did want someone to talk to. He wanted someone to confide in and for them to understand. “I would like some company. You’re heading to the apartments?” He kept his wording loose in case Nick was listening. For all he knew, Nick would let it slip where he lived.

“I am. I’ll follow you,” Paul said. “Let’s go.”

“What about your date?” Where was that guy? Paul shouldn’t be worrying about James when he had his boyfriend or companion or whatever.

“That was a business meeting. He runs one of my apartment buildings.” Paul shrugged. “Let’s go to the apartments. I’ll explain there.”

He didn’t feel like arguing. “Sure.”

“Good. I’ll follow you.” Paul kept up with him as he went to the parking lot.

James climbed behind the wheel of his roadster and left the coffee shop. He debated taking a different route home, but instead he drove straight to the Annex.Fuck it.He wanted to be where he felt safe. He thought he’d distanced himself from the problems with Craig, but they kept coming back like a bad penny.

He pulled into the warehouse and parked in his usual spot, then turned the car off. He sat behind the wheel and his emotions got the better of him. He hated crying and hated losing control, but the incident with Nick had broken him for the moment.

Paul pulled in beside him and parked, then left the car. He rounded the hood and opened the passenger door of the roadster. He moved the bag of dog food onto the floor of the warehouse, then sat beside him.

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