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“Wally probably senses your stress, though.Now, I’m not suggesting you try to hide it.Anyone would be overwhelmed.”Jeremy gripped me tighter.“But I’ve got you now, okay?”

I couldn’t speak.Partly because my face was buried in his chest, and partly because words wouldn’t come.I’d been so cold to him the other day, and here he was, embracing me.Holding me as if I were precious.Willing, clearly, to share my burden.Hell, I believed he’d carry it…given half a chance.

Can I give him that chance?Can I open myself to him?To the pain I’ll endure when he tires of me and walks away?I just didn’t have a good answer for that.

“Is everything okay?”The deep voice of the landlord I’d met earlier today carried across the still-noisy sound of firefighters doing…whatever they were supposed to be doing.Of the shattered stillness of the night.Oh my God, it’s his house.I let it burn.

“Hey, sweetheart.”Colin’s Long Island accent came through clearly as he embraced his husband.“It’ll be okay.”

“It’s just a house.”James’s voice caught.“Are you okay?”

Somehow, I knew he was talking to me.I tried to push away.

Jeremy held me tighter for just one moment more before letting me pull back.

I wiped my eyes.“Yeah, I’m okay.”My breath caught again.Fucking hell.“Well, okay is relative, right?Wally and I are alive.Things can be replaced.”

Before he could even respond, a van pulled up with the rescue shelter’s logo— Safe Haven Animal Rescue.

James held up his finger as if indicating I wait while he headed over, and he greeted Arthur as the man hopped down.

To my surprise, they embraced.

Right, Colin and had mentioned James and Arthur were best friends.Although this appeared to be more than just a quick embrace.Most like solace being offered.

Ah, so maybe James isn’t as unaffected as he’s trying to seem.He’s being strong for me.Maybe I can be strong for him.Colin said this home on Hummingbird Lane had been James’s first.Even though he’d only lived there a short time before moving in with Colin, I’d sensed a clear affection as he’d given me the tour.And I’d also gotten the impression he liked that people in need who could find refuge there.Could find shelter.

People down on their luck, so to speak.People like me.

Jeremy’s hand remained on my shoulder.“I measured out some canned tuna and mashed potatoes for Wally.He scarfed it down along with a bowl of water.So he’s fed, but he’ll need to go out before bedtime.”

“I don’t think…”

“Don’t think…?”

“How am I supposed to sleep?”

“Gonna be hard, huh?I bet you’re right.You’ve had a big day, Phillip.Even before…all this.But know I’ll watch over you, and you can let go of some of that vigilance you hold on to so tightly.I’ve got you.We have all the safety equipment.Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors…a barky dog.”

I glared.

He smiled.“No, I’ve never heard him bark.He’s such a sweetheart.As are you.I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Arthur and James approached, their arms full of dog belongings.

I gaped.

“Well, I had some extra stuff at the shelter.”Arthur shrugged.“I happen to know the owner of Bales and Bowls.They’re always happy to help in an emergency.I was most concerned about stairs so he doesn’t try to jump.”

And, in fact, he held some beneath his arm.

They slipped.

Jeremy let go of me and rescued them.“Anything else?”

“Yes, a pile of things.But James and I can bring them in.If that’s okay,” he quickly added.

“That’s more than okay.”Jeremy grabbed a cloth bag, filled to the brim with God knew what.