Page 69 of The Good Neighbour

Hugh stared up at him. “Now that I can get on board with.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The air had the bite of frost to it as Josh and Hugh jogged in the local park. There were a few other die-hards, wrapped up against the cold but still pounding the pavement. Josh would have preferred to stay in bed but Hugh had insisted.

They stopped at a bench. Hugh bent over. Josh was quite pleased he wasn’t fighting for breath.

“God, I’m out of condition,” Hugh said, panting.

“You look pretty good from here.”

Hugh grinned. God that smile did things to Josh that weren’t decent in a public area.

“I could drag you in that bush right now,” he said.

“Hah,” Hugh said, straightening up. “In this cold, you wouldn’t find very much. How about we do another lap then have a long soak in the bath.”

“Together?”

“Of course. It’s important to conserve water, after all.”

That sounded like a decent Sunday afternoon. He had a gorgeous bottle of red that he’d bought from his neighbour, Simon Harrington.

“Do we have to do another lap?” Josh said. “I think we should skip to the naked part.”

“I told you,” Hugh replied. “I’m getting podgy. I won’t do the suit justice.”

Josh pulled him close. Once more the cheeky smile appeared. Josh kissed his forehead.

“That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. You’re fucking gorgeous. Besides, I made it to your measurements. If you lose weight now, it’s highly disrespectful to the designer.”

Hugh nuzzled into his neck.

“When you put it like that, I suppose we should get back. I have a few ideas of how to keep in the designer’s good books.”

Suddenly, a thought struck Josh. “Wait a second.”

“What?” Hugh asked.

“Why don’t we launch a drag clothing line?”

Hugh looked astonished. “We?”

The more he considered it, the more perfect it became. A new challenge could be exactly what he needed.

“Yes. You can be my advisor,” Josh said, excitedly. “Between the two of us, we’d come up with some amazing ideas. Drag is big money these days. I could be the first designer to cross over.”

The cogs appeared to be whirring in Hugh’s mind.

“This isn’t a bad idea, you know. Would you have the time?”

Josh shrugged. “I’ve been MIA for a year. Cut didn’t fall down, did it? I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a ton of work.”

“A lot of fun too.”

The wind whipped up some stray leaves at their feet. Josh’s sweaty shirt was getting colder.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get to mine. I want that bath. Before Michael arrives, preferably.”