“I’d kick your ass if you asked someone else.” After all the ups and downs he and Riley had been through, he couldn’t imagine not being there for Riley on his wedding day.
So why can’t I tell him about Darius?
“Did you know he was going to propose? Did he give you a hint or anything?”
Riley shook his head. “No, it was a complete surprise. I think it was even a surprise to him. I think he just decided to do it when he woke up that day.”
Marc laughed. “Of course he did. He wouldn’t have had the patience to wait once he decided on it.”
“No, patience is one of the few things Thorne lacks.”
This set off a laughing fit, which ended with them both trying to hold each other up. Marc felt punch-drunk. He was so happy for Riley. And yet… No. No way was he going to let jealousy fuck up anything about Riley’s moment.
When they were both composed again, Riley said, “I want to get married close to Christmas.”
A Christmas wedding. Marc could just see the interior of a stone church, lit only with candles and soft white lights, decorated in red and green, Riley and Thorne standing at the altar. It would be beautiful. Perfect.
He hugged Riley again. “I’d better go grab some lunch. You need anything?”
“No, Susan’s bringing me something.”
“Okay, you’re going to have to let me plan.”
“Obviously, but…no glitter.”
Marc laughed. “Glitter makes the world go round.”
“Marc.”
“I’m teasing.”
Riley sighed. “I’m still trying to believe it’s real.”
“Never doubt how much Thorne loves you.”
Riley gave Marc another hug. “You’re the best friend ever, you know that?”
Marc wanted to believe him. “I try.”
***
When Marc returned from lunch, there was a note on top of the jacket he was working on. It took him several seconds to decipher Darius’s handwriting, but he was fairly sure it said: If you ever finish a design, call Kathryn. She can help.
“Kathryn as in Thorne’s sister?” Marc asked.
“That’s the one.”
He started to ask for her number and then realized he had it from when he worked the museum gala.
“You talked to her?”
“No, I used my psychic powers.”
Getting information out of Darius was never easy, and he was currently bent over the sewing machine, giving it dark looks, so there was no point in trying.
“Thank you.”
“Use this opportunity, and it will be worth it.”
Wow. That was almost a compliment.
Riley’s engagement, Kathryn’s interest, Darius being as close to encouraging as he got. The universe was telling Marc to stop dicking around.
The sewing machine came to life, ratcheting up and down as fast as it could go. Darius always sewed fast when he was annoyed. If Marc did that, he’d wreck whatever he was working on, but Darius never seemed to have that problem. The fucker.
When Darius finished and clipped the threads, he turned to Marc. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you stalling on doing something with your designs?”
“Umm…” He had so many excuses: He was busy. He couldn’t be sure what to expect. He wasn’t sure how his designs would be received.
That all sounded stupid.
“I’m…scared.”
Darius sighed and shook his head. “If I’d been scared to remake the shop into a full-service tailoring business, do you know where I’d probably be now?”
“I’m guessing that being an English professor is the wrong answer?”
He gave a mocking laugh. “Fucking right it is. I’d probably be analyzing spreadsheets at my father’s accounting firm.”
Marc tried to imagine Darius working for an accountant. He’d either blow up and rip the office apart or go utterly brain dead. Marc would put money on choice number one. “Point taken. I—”
“You’re young, but that’s no excuse for apathetic stupidity.”
Darius never hesitated to tell it like it was, and he was right.
“I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time.”
“I do.” Darius stood and walked toward him. “You’ve been told too many damn times that you’re not good enough; your parents, these arsehole exes of yours, clients who think you’re nothing but a commodity. They’re wrong. All of them. You’re talented, creative, hardworking, and you care about your work and other people. You’re a better person than I am, that’s for sure.”
Marc’s mouth dropped open. He’d never imagined Darius saying something so…nice. “Thank you. I… I’m kinda shocked.”
“Don’t expect me to repeat any of that or admit I said it, but it’s true, and you’d damn well better not disappoint me.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Darius sniffed and walked out of the room. Lovefest officially over.
***
Darius left early, mumbling something about an appointment, but Marc would bet he didn’t want to risk opening up again during their evening fuck. He’d used up his quota of raw emotion for the day.
Marc called Kathryn as soon as he walked into his apartment. “Hi, it’s Marc. Darius said I should contact you about costume design.”
“Marc, I’m so glad you called. Darius told me you’d created some amazing designs, and coming from him…well, let’s just say he’s never said that about anyone else before.”