“Oh, yeah.”I nodded.“It’s not them I ever worried about.It was more the guys I worked with back in Portland.They knew one version of me, and I was too scared to show them the other side.But I promised myself on my thirty-fifth birthday that I wasn’t going to do that anymore.When I got the job offer to be Police Chief in Coral Cove, the timing was perfect.”
He looked thoughtful.“I don’t have a dramatic coming-out story.I was out from the time I hit puberty.My parents didn’t care.”His smile was poignant.“They were supportive about everything I ever did.”
“I’m sorry, Spencer,” I said in a hushed voice.
He shrugged.“It’s okay.I think I turned out all right in the end.”
“I agree.”
We both startled when Scout suddenly jumped up on the bed and started licking Spencer’s face.He laughed and hugged the dog, and Scout lay down on top of him like he belonged there.I cringed and started to try and move Scout, but Spencer just waved me off.
“No, it’s fine.He’s a good boy.”He rubbed Scout’s head, and the dog ate up the attention.
I watched them, smiling at how affectionate Spencer was to Scout.“He really likes you.”
“I like him too.”Spencer glanced at the clock on the nightstand.“Oh, crap.It’s later than I realized.I should probably head home.”
I felt disappointed at the idea of him leaving.“You don’t have to.”
He looked uncertain.“I don’t usually spend the night when I… you know… hook up.”
I smiled.“I don’t usually bring people here to… you know… hook up.”
“True,” he murmured, a line between his brows.“Are you sure you don’t mind if I stay?”
“I want you to stay.”He still looked worried, so I added, “But if you want to go, obviously you can.I’ll get dressed and drive you home.”
He looked horrified.“Oh, god no.That’s not necessary.My house isn’t that far.I’ll just walk.”
“Or,” I said, laughing, “you could just stay the night.It’s no big deal, Spencer.We’re just having fun, right?Sleeping over doesn’t mean anything.It’s just more convenient.”
“I guess that’s true.”He stretched, grinning at me.“And you do have a very nice bed.”
I chuckled.“Then stay.You’ll make Scout very happy.”
And me too.
I kept that part to myself.Even if it was true, Spencer seemed worried about this being misconstrued as anything but a hookup.It was casual for me too, but I wanted more of Spencer, and that wasn’t going to happen if he went home.
“Okay, I’ll stay.”He patted Scout’s head.“But you’re probably going to have to move, buddy.I don’t think I can sleep with you on top of me.”
I laughed and gently grabbed hold of Scout, tugging him off of Spencer and down onto the mattress.The dog gave a disgruntled groan, but he stayed where he was.I got out of bed and rummaged for a spare toothbrush for Spencer.We both washed up and then got back in bed.
If I had Spencer over again and he spent the night, I’d have to figure something out with Scout.Because I was a snuggler, but that wasn’t going to work with a sixty-pound lab in the way.
“Night, Spencer,” I said, pulling the comforter up to my ears.
His eyes were closed, but he smiled and mumbled, “Thanks for a great evening, Declan.”
* * *
I woke to the smell of coffee.
For a disoriented moment, I thought I was dreaming, because I hadn’t set up the coffee maker the night before.Then I heard someone moving in the kitchen, the quiet clink of a mug, the creak of a cabinet door, and I remembered Spencer was here in my house.
Feeling a niggle of excitement, I pulled on sweats and walked out to the kitchen.Spencer was standing at the counter in his briefs and his wrinkled white shirt from last night, unbuttoned.His hair was tousled, and he looked sexy as he poured coffee into two mugs.Scout was sitting at his feet, gazing up at him with adoration.
“Traitor,” I said to the dog.“You’ve forgotten all about me now that Spencer is here.”
