Page 53 of Ancient Obsession

“What? He called me fat.”

“He only said you’d gained a little weight.”

“Some. He said I’ve gained some weight.” Cody stood on a low riser, adjusting the jacket and admiring himself in a triple mirror. “That translates to: good sir, you are massively fat.”

“That is absolutely not how that translates.”

“I shouldn’t have eaten anything all weekend.”

“God save us all from you hangry. Look, all he was saying was he needs to let out the pants a bit before next weekend.”

Cody gave a noncommittal grunt before stepping off the small platform, which, as far as Dave could tell, he’d been treating more like a stage.

“Despite my weight, how do I look?”

Cody did a slow turn and Dave smiled. He and Demetrius would be wearing black tuxes with blue ascots and cummerbunds, while Dave and Oliver would be in black tuxedos with red bowties and cummerbunds.

“Good.”

Cody frowned. “Good?”

“Oh my God, you’re so needy. You look amazing, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Cody faced the mirror again. “Yeah, but not from my brother. Now you’re making it kind of weird.”

“You’re an asshole,” Dave muttered as the man doing the fitting—Carlos?—emerged from behind the curtain. He was chewing gum—chomping might be a better description—and Dave figured it was a trick he used to stay calm around difficult customers.

Dave hoped he had a lot more gum in the back.

“Okay, Carlos, what’s our plan?” Cody stepped up on the platform again. “Besides me cutting out desserts and every pleasure in life until the wedding?”

“I can take out the pants a bit, but…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ll cool it on the ice cream.”

“And cookies and pie and cake,” Dave added.

“Someone’s asking for a Charlie horse,” Cody growled.

Dave feigned shock. “You’re threatening me so close to my wedding day?”

“As long as you can make it down the aisle,” Cody said. “Even if you limp.”

Carlos took some measurements, made chalk marks on the pants, and then told Cody he could change. Cody stepped down, and Dave went to take his place, dodging a playful smack. He checked his reflection, tugging on the jacket and turning to see how the pants fit. The tux fit him well, and he twisted side to side, admiring it.

“Okay, Narcissus, simmer down,” Cody said as he tromped past in his work boots, cargo pants, and Critter Catchers polo shirt.

“Shut up.”

Carlos checked the fit of Dave’s pants and jacket then, with a nod, told him he could change as well. As Dave dressed again in jeans and a lightweight Henley, he could hear Cody apologize to Carlos for his earlier insult. Carlos mumbled a response Dave couldn’t hear, but he caught himself smiling.

When they left Elegance Menswear, they walked down the sidewalk in comfortable silence. The store was at the far end of Parson’s Hollow’s main business strip on the way out to Harriettville. It was a warm day, but overcast, with a touch of humidity that hinted at the storms forecast for the next couple of days. Dave had been watching the weather, hoping for no rain the day of the wedding. So far, their luck was holding out as the storms were predicted before and after.

“You seem quieter and nerdier than usual,” Cody said, gently bumping his shoulder. “What’s up?”

“Thinking about the wedding. Hoping the rain cooperates.”

“It’s an indoor wedding.”