Well-Tailored (Thorne and Dash 4)

Working on autopilot, he set up the coffee pot in the back and added water to the Keurig out front so it was ready for the first cup of the day. Darius still hadn’t arrived, so he restocked the selection of coffee and tea pods. Then Marc checked the fitting room, making sure all the supplies they needed for their first client were there.

When everything was set, he looked at the clock. It was only a few minutes before nine. Footsteps echoed in the stairwell. Ah, there was Darius.

But it wasn’t him after all; it was their client.

“Good morning, Mr. Reisner. Would you like a cup of coffee or tea or some water?”

“Coffee would be fantastic.”

“Dark roast, medium roast, or hazelnut?”

“Hazelnut. I rarely order flavors, but why not.”

“Why not indeed.” Mr. Reisner seemed like a man who needed a bit more excitement in his life.

Marc popped a hazelnut pod in the coffeemaker and started it up. “Give us just a few moments, and we’ll be right with you.”

“No problem; I’m early anyway.”

If only all customers were like him.

He stepped in the back and texted Darius. Where are you?

He got no immediate response. Just as he was about to call, he heard the door chime, and then Darius said hello to Mr. Reisner.

Thank God. He’d started to really worry.

He poured himself a cup of coffee from the back and walked out front.

“I got doughnuts,” Darius said, a strange smile on his face.

What the hell? Darius had never brought food before.

He held out the box to their client. “Would you like one, Mr. Reisner?”

“I shouldn’t, but…”

“Oh, go ahead.”

“Here’s a napkin,” Marc said, holding one out.

Mr. Reisner took it and chose a doughnut with chocolate icing and sprinkles on it.

Okay, something was definitely wrong. Darius was nearly late. He’d brought doughnuts, and some of them had sprinkles on them.

“We’ll get everything set up while you enjoy that,” Darius said.

His voice was all wrong—kind and soft, no mocking arrogance. What was going on? Concussion? Personality transplant? Super polite body snatchers?

Marc tried to ignore his concerns once Mr. Reisner was in the fitting room. His suit hugged his body perfectly, as Marc had known it would.

Marc measured the hem while Darius asked Mr. Reisner questions about the cut, making sure he was completely satisfied.

“You’re amazing,” Mr. Reisner said. “I know nothing about clothes, but I’m certain this is the finest suit I’ve ever owned. It makes me look almost handsome.”

“The right clothes give a man confidence, which doubles his attractiveness,” Darius said.

“You don’t happen to have a recommendation for somewhere I can get a costume, do you? I have a charity costume ball I have to go to, and I need something better than the cheap things you get at those Halloween places.”

“Actually, I’ve been considering adding a high-end costume line.”

Marc sputtered. What did he just say?

“Would they be as finely made as this?” He indicated the suit he was wearing.

“Of course.”

“Then I’m sure they’d be worth every penny.”

“Quality is always worth it,” Darius said.

Marc stared at Darius, unable to believe this. Was he talking about Marc’s costumes? He must be, but he’d never said anything about wanting to acquire any himself. Marc forced himself to keep quiet. He wasn’t going to argue with Darius in front of a customer, especially one he liked as much as Mr. Reisner.

“I’ll have these hemmed by the end of the day, and if you give us a call in a week, we should be able to do something for you about a costume.”

“I will. Thank you.”

When they left the dressing room so Mr. Reisner could change, Marc went straight to the back. He couldn’t stay in the same room as Darius without yelling at him. What the fuck was he thinking throwing the idea of a costume line out like that without even checking with him?

And yet I’m flattered.

Well…sure he was. Darius wanted to sell his costumes. But to just drop it like that, assuming Marc would go along with it?

He’s high-handed as fuck, I know that.

That didn’t excuse it. He didn’t get a pass just because asshole was his default setting.

I want to be a designer, but I don’t want someone else planning my future.

Marc heard Darius and Mr. Reisner laughing. Then the door chimed, and Darius stepped into the back.

“I know that was sudden. I was going to talk to you when I got in. I’d forgotten Mr. Reisner was coming in first thing.”

“You what?” Darius didn’t believe in forgetting things or screwing up or being less than perfect.

“I forgot. Now just hush and listen to me.”

Marc took a step back, torn between anger and concern. Darius was acting very strange.

“I was going to work up a business plan for adding a costume line and talk to you later this week, but when Mr. Reisner asked, I decided we should seize the opportunity.”