Page 16 of Unicorn Unashamed

“Oh,” Josh said as he read the flash-flood warning alert cautioning people to stay off the roads that both his and Raymond’s phone was blaring. “Shit, that’s bad.”

“Fuck,” Raymond muttered. He raked a hand through his hair. “Guess I’ll cancel my evening clients. Not if the roads are washing out.”

“Probably a good idea,” Josh said. As Raymond started tapping away on his phone, Josh’s immediate thoughts went to what Raymond would do. Sure his studio was only a few blocks from Josh’s house, but Raymond’s apartment was farther away. If it was bad out now and only getting worse, Josh didn’t want Raymond driving. Especially as night fell.

“Okay,” Raymond said, turning his phone over in his hands. “Sent the message out to everyone. If I don’t get confirmations within the next half hour, I’ll call too.”

“Sounds good,” Josh said before hesitating. Raymond hadn’t even been too keen on spending a couple minutes in Josh’s apartment before. How was Josh going to convince him to spend the night?

Then again, after Josh had reapplied his scent blocker, Raymond had gotten a lot calmer. Maybe he wouldn’t have an issue, now.

“About the drive being bad,” Josh said. “I don’t know if you should go out and brave this.”

Raymond looked at him, obviously startled. “Oh, that’s okay. I should be fine. I’ve already imposed enough.”

“You’re not imposing. It’s been nice having you around.”

Raymond chuckled. “Thanks. But it’s okay, really.”

“Raymond, if it’s too dangerous for your clients to be out, it’s too dangerous for you to be out.”

“But—”

“Please,” Josh tried. “Please, I’ll feel safer if you wait it out.”

“You’d feel safer?” Raymond asked hesitantly.

Josh nodded, adamant. “A million percent safer. You can spend a few hours here and wait it out, okay? I’ll make dinner and everything.” He chanced a smile. “Treat you right. Okay?”

Raymond still looked slightly off, but he smiled back. “Yeah, okay.”

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