Page 5 of Lorcan
“Yep, he's putting in a lot more hours than he expected. Plus, he’s helping Arnav and Foster when he can.”
“And planning for next year’s camp.” I considered. “He’s as busy as I am.”
“You’ve got a full roster at the counseling center, right?” Demetrius took another sip of his drink.
“I do.” I was a full-time psychologist at Healing Horses Ranch in Mission City. My focus was primarily on queer teens and young adults, but I took any client who needed help. My days were full—and I couldn’t have been happier.
“Cody?”
I turned to find Master Dante standing beside me. I stood. “Yes, Master Dante.” I didn’t have to use his title, but I believed the man had more than earned it. Running this place had to be a challenge, and he managed to have a personal life as well.
“There’s a new pup.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not proposing that you hook up tonight—I mean, it would be up to both of you.”
“Yes.”
“That said…he’s a little uncertain. I was hoping you might have a conversation with him. Put him at ease.”
“You would tell him I’m a Daddy?”
“Of course. You have…a calming presence about you. I think you could ease his jittery nerves. No pressure, though. I don’t want to impose.”
“I’ll do it. No worries, I’ll happily meet this new pup.”
Said pup was over at the bar. Hopefully getting something non-alcoholic. Not that I had any right to dictate what he might choose to drink. He appeared to be a beer guy, but that was me making the supposition based on appearance.
You know better than to assume.
Right. Because a guy who looked like a leather Daddy was obviously totally a pup.
Master Dante headed toward the bar.
As I waited for his signal, I cast a glance at the pile of puppies. Many were on the younger side. Even younger than Jai. That said, a particular woman caught my notice. I’d seen her before. Whippet lean, with firm breasts, solid thighs, and grays mixed in with her dark brown hair.
Just like I’d noticed the last time Foster was here, that he was starting to go a little gray at forty-six. He loved being a puppy so damn much.How are he and Arnav handling that side of their relationship now they’ve got foster kids?I was curious, but certainly wasn’t going to ask either them or Demetrius and Jai. Truly, none of my business.
You don’t need to think about clients tonight. Rare was the time when I took a break, but tonight was supposed to be one of those nights.
Jai succeeded in taking the squeaky toy away from Evan.
The younger man appeared crestfallen.
Jai appeared about to give it back when Evan winked and headed in the direction of a pup chewing on a thick braid of rope with huge knots on each end.
Evan lunged.
The pup—whose name I didn’t know—was so surprised, she gave up her grasp on the rope. Then, once realizing the culprit was Evan, she snagged one end.
They began a tug of war.
I glanced back toward the bar.
Master Dante gently inclined his head toward Lorcan.
Who offered a tentative smile.
