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“I made it.”
Riley looked at the dress more closely then. At first it did look like a typical high-waisted Regency era gown. But the top was made only of lace, and there were see-through panels alternating with shimmery panels in the skirt.
“Wow. It’s impressive.”
Marc sighed. “Ri, you knew I could make costumes.”
“Yes, but you usually make something more basic than this.”
“I had some ideas for a line of historical costumes. I’m toying with it.” He didn’t want to have to explain more. What was wrong with him? He was already hiding how far things had gone with Darius; did he really need to hide his new career options too?
“You need to do a hell of a lot more than toy with these. Has Darius seen this?”
“Yeah, I made it at the shop after hours.”
Riley narrowed his eyes. “And you didn’t bother to tell me?”
“You’ve been busy.” That was such a lame excuse.
“God, Marc, I haven’t been that busy. Have I? What else aren’t you telling me?”
“I…” He still couldn’t get any words about Darius to come out. The costumes were much safer. “I talked to Kathryn about designing for a theater company. I have an interview with them next week.”
Riley studied him for a few moments.
“And…?”
Marc needed a distraction. He picked up the unicorn scarf and ran it through his hands. It felt as delicious as it had in the store. There was nothing like high-quality silk.
“Marc?”
“Okay, you’re right.”
“About?”
Riley really wasn’t going to let this go. “I want more with Darius, but I’m not ready to ask for it. I’m enjoying where we are enough not to risk it by trying to change things. Let me get this costume shit off the ground and then… I don’t know.”
“You should ask him to the wedding.”
He’d been determined to earlier, but now his confidence was flagging. Thorne was one of Darius’s best customers, though. He ought to be there. “Maybe.”
Riley seemed to be considering what to say. “Fine. I’ll let you get away with that for now.”
Marc looked down at the scarf. “Why the fuck did I buy this?”
They both laughed, and the tension Marc had been feeling eased.
“Stand up,” Riley said.
Marc stood in front of Riley’s closet door mirror.
Riley stood behind him and wrapped the scarf around his neck. “Perfect.”
Marc studied his reflection. “It does look amazing with these briefs.”
“You should wear only this the next time we go dancing.”
“I would be a sensation.” Marc tried out a few dance moves, which made Riley giggle.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Marc jumped, then turned to see Thorne glaring at them.
“Oh, hi, Thorne. We didn’t hear you,” Riley called.
“Did I miss this announcement when we decided it was fine to screw around?”
Marc opened his mouth to ask Thorne what the hell his problem was, but he never got the words out.
“How long has this been going on?” Thorne demanded.
Riley looked stunned. “I don’t—”
“Always? So we’re exclusive, but not from Marc? I guess since he’s fucked us both, that makes it okay.”
Okay, that was too far. Marc stepped in front of Riley, trying to shield him from Thorne’s anger.
Thorne took a swing at him. Thank God he had good reflexes. His countermove made Thorne stumble back.
“You’re way out of line,” he shouted.
Thorne snarled at him. “You’ve been fucking my fiancé in my bed while I was out of town, and I’m out of line?”
Sure he and Riley were both in their underwear, but why on earth would Thorne think Riley would cheat on him? Riley loved him. “Thorne, we went shopping. We were trying on clothes.”
“Mostly naked, all cuddled up?”
Marc wasn’t sure Thorne was really hearing him. What was going on with the two of them for Thorne to think this? “You have to get mostly naked to try on clothes.”
“I want you both out by the time I’m back,” Thorne shouted as he turned and stomped out. Marc braced for the slam of the door, but he didn’t even close it. He just kept walking.
“What the fuck?” Marc didn’t know if he was more shocked, angry, or hurt that Thorne would react that way. Thorne knew how close Marc and Riley were, and it had never bothered him before.
Riley stared at the open door. He’d wrapped his arms around himself, and he was shaking. “Did… Did he just…?”
He was about to hyperventilate. “Breathe, Riley.”
“How could he think…? That fucking bastard!” Riley grabbed a book and threw it across the room. It split in two as it hit the floor.
Oh, fuck. “Was that…?”
Riley sank to the floor, and Marc could tell by the look on Riley’s face that he was right. Riley had broken a first edition copy of Thorne’s favorite book, one Riley had given him.
Apparently Marc wasn’t the only one who’d been holding back about how he was feeling. Something was very wrong between Thorne and Riley for Thorne to react like that, but this wasn’t the time to analyze it. Riley looked like he was about to pass out.
