“So it’s a cliché, but yes, do you think he’d have been better?”
“He’d say no.”
“Don’t run away from Marc. If you need to make a business decision, make it because it’s right for your business, not because you’re a fucking coward.”
Darius couldn’t hide his shock. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
With any other man, Darius would be tempted to drop him with a right hook, but Thorne was too fucking right. “Thornwell Shipton, Riley has been good for you.”
“He thinks he’s softened me.”
“Ha! He’s pulled that stick out of your arse, but he’s also made you passionate in a way you weren’t before.”
“See? Love is good.”
Darius rolled his eyes. “If you’d quit badgering me, I could tell you what I really want to talk about.”
“Go on.”
“I don’t want to sell. I think Marc and I are ready to expand. Is there still space in your new building?”
“Riley’s building?”
“Yes, that one. Did you buy another recently?”
Thorne laughed. “No. I doubt it will become a habit. I can offer you two a double retail space above the bakery. It was built to be either one shop or two connecting ones, so it would be perfect to have costumes on one side and suits on the other. You can expand as needed or use the extra space for storage until you’re ready to fully open a costume shop.”
That was exactly what Darius needed. “What’s the rent?”
Thorne shook his head. “I’m not going to charge you.”
“I’m not asking for a handout.”
“And Riley didn’t ask me to buy the damn thing. It’s a gift.”
“Riley is going to be your husband. I’m just a tenant.”
“Hardly. How about I offer the use of the space in exchange for free tailoring for me and Riley?”
Darius sniffed. “That doesn’t make up for the rent.”
“Have you seen what you charge for a suit?”
Darius glared at him. “Do you think this is a good plan, expanding to include costumes?”
Thorne nodded. “Diversifying is good. You’re widening your client base, but offering something many of your current clients will avail themselves of too.”
“So in the end this could be just as good for me as selling?”
“No guarantees, but it’s what I would tell you to do.”
Darius could live with that. “Then name a fair rent.”
“I did.”
The man was fucking exasperating. “Thorne, I didn’t ask you about the space because I expected a bargain.”
“I want a reliable tenant. You’re reliable. Consider it an investment in expanding your business.”
It would be an easy move. Customers wouldn’t have any difficulty locating the new office since it was in the building next door. Thorne had crews working to revamp the space, so it would feel fresh and new when they moved in. And with Thorne’s offer, he could expand without fear of not making the rent. A lack of financial pressure meant they could experiment more.
“Give me a few days to talk to Marc about it.”
“Of course, but even if you change your mind, don’t take the offer until I find out more. I don’t like how tightly this guy has locked you out. Something feels off.”
“I agree, and I’m not taking the offer. I just want to know more.”
“Have your lawyer send mine all the details. Tell him I’m your business consultant, which makes it all aboveboard. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know more.”
“Thank you for the help and for the rent-free space.”
“You’re welcome. You’ve been good to me. I truly want to invest in you and Marc, so this is a completely sincere offer.”
Darius grinned at him. “I can only imagine what it’s costing you to be that nice.”
“Ha! I can be nice when I want to be.”
Darius handed over Riley’s suit, and Thorne left. Darius didn’t have any more appointments that day, which was damn good because he didn’t think he could sit still. He closed himself in the workroom and changed into sweats and a T-shirt. Maybe a long, hard run would help him block out the world.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Marc and Darius had a remarkably problem free trip to New York. The flight was on time, no luggage was lost, and before long they were settled into their room at the fucking Ritz hotel which Thorne had insisted on paying for, not that Marc had made him insist too hard.
Marc had told Darius that he wanted to grab a shower, but he wasn’t even sure Darius heard. He was too entranced with the Central Park view to pay attention. Maybe he’d stay that way for a while. Marc really did want a shower after being on a plane, but he also had a surprise for Darius. A surprise he was now having second thoughts about. It had seemed like such a great idea when he’d thought it up the night before, but now he was more than a little nervous.