JOE
Joe rolled his eyes at Uriel’s dramatics. What, like the so-called hellhounds were going to show up and scold him for revealing some big secret? He’d figure out what Uriel’s deal was later, once he’d stopped what was quickly becoming a neighborhood spectacle.
“Dragon!” Javier’s screaming wasn’t helping matters at all.
Joe turned to his ex, then waved his hand in front of Uriel’s face and chest. “My fiery redhead. You know, like a dragon.”
Javier sputtered. “W-what do you meanyour?”
“Mine, Javier. As in my boyfriend, my partner-in-crime, my other half, the love of my life.Mine.”
A spark of gold shot from Javier’s phone. He yelped and dropped it.
Joe turned to glare at Uriel, but he looked as confused as Joe. He glanced around at the others and realized Eldon seemed particularly pleased with himself. He had a bit of an evil streak, so he’d probably enjoyed watching Javier get shocked. Joe would have to speak to him about it later.
“Huh,” Joe mumbled. “When did that happen?”
“What?” Uriel asked.
“I’m not scared of Eldon anymore. This is turning into a fantastic day.”
Uriel scowled. “It wasn’t fantastic already?”
Joe poked him in the chest, then realized Eldon and his cousins hovered off to the side enjoying the scene. “I’ve got it,” Joe said.
Uriel’s frown deepened. “Got what?”
“A cloud of cousins. Sort of like a cloud of locusts. A nosy cloud of locust cousins who are enjoying this entirely too much.” Joe scowled at them before running his hand over Uriel’s sweater. He needed some extra comfort. Honestly, he liked the feel of Uriel’s soft clothes. Even the man’s pajamas were cuddle-worthy.
“A cloud. It could work. Don’t you think we could talk about this later, though?
Joe poked Uriel. Stroking would be better than poking, but Joe needed to regain control of the situation. If he kept petting Uriel, he wouldn’t stop.
Uriel scowled at him before trapping Joe’s pokey finger against his chest with his big warm hand.
“Don’t pout. Santa doesn’t like it.” Joe thought about his words for a second. He leaned closer to Uriel before whispering, “Is he real too?”
“Would you focus on Javier, please?”
With a huff, Joe freed his hand, poked Uriel again, and added a stroke for good measure. Joe returned his attention to his ex-boyfriend. Javier’s expression had changed since being shocked by his phone. Maybe that’s what he’d needed all along? A little jolt to get him thinking clearly.
“You really love him,” Javier said.
“Whoa, whoa,” Joe said. “We haven’t said the L-word to each other yet, and I don’t plan on having that moment in front of half the town. But you’re not wrong.”
Uriel’s smug chuff almost earned him another elbow to the ribs. Then Uriel pulled Joe back against his chest and wrapped his arms around Joe. His chin rested on Joe’s head.
Their neighbors cooed. Someone must have sent a neighborhood watch text because while Joe was dealing with Javier, another dozen or so people had arrived. They’d be the talk of the town for days.
But hey, maybe he’d get even more business in the Snowda Shoppe as a result. Considering the ridiculous bonus check Tate had slipped him the other day, the least Joe could do was drum up some extra business.
Javier looked completely flummoxed by the situation.
Joe chuckled. “Flummoxed is a good word. Highly recommend.”
“Focus,” Uriel said. “But yeah, he’s totally flummoxed.”
“It’s one of those weird words, though. The more you say it, the stranger it gets. Flummoxed. Fluh-muuxxxed.”
