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“It’s a closet,” Riot says. “Surely, it’s not that big a job.”
“Oh aren’t you naïve, gorgeous?” Adira turns around as he scrubs at his face. When he takes the wipe away, half of Adira is gone. “It’s so much more than a closet.”
“You store clothes in it, right?” Riot frowns like he doesn’t get why what he says isn’t logical to these two.
“It’s the magic lamp of costume changes. Whatever your heart desires…” Adira channels Vanna White as he paints an imaginary picture with a handful of wet wipes. “Can be yours. All you have to do is click your heels three times.”
“It’s an entire bedroom for starters. A master suite.” Ivy giggles while Adira finishes, well, being Adira.
Fitted trousers with curves apparently built in are hung on the rack, swapped for faded and torn jeans. Heels are tossed and replaced with street shoes. An L.A. Riot shirt completes the ensemble. “And it’s a mess,” Adira adds.
I’m pretty sure Riot and I both gape at the guy who rests a hand on Ivy’s shoulder. Adira was dressed down the first time I went to see him about Ivy, but even then he was made up and six inches taller than me in gold knee-high boots. This guy screams ordinary man’s man. I wouldn’t have pegged him as a fan of my brother’s band’s style either.
“I see you’re both tongue tied.” Adira smirks over Ivy’s shoulder at our shocked stupid faces. “I’m not always a drag queen. I’m quite the handyman and I love metal and rock as much as I like pop. Some people, not my friends, even call me Liam. Shocker, right? But my friends, which you both are, always call me Adira.”
“Got it,” I say.
Riot echoes the sentiment. Adira is who he is, and that’s all we need to know to respect that.
“And as for you, my adorably sweet cousin.” He turns a stern eye on Ivy.” You are not going to excuse yourself out of a meeting with Danica.”
“But Danica is brilliant. I just learned how to use a sewing machine. The two things are not the same.”
“Stop selling yourself short.” I tug her into my arms so I can whisper in her ear. She relaxes the minute her back is pressed to my chest. For too long she’s listened to people who should have felt lucky to know her at all. “College. Cosmetology. Fashion. You’re talented. You’re smart. Remember, you can choose your own path. And I am going to be here for all of it.”
I swear Ivy flinches, and I have no clue if it’s the idea of rejecting her family’s desires or the idea that I want her as part of my future. Perhaps I ought to slow my roll. Give her time to get used to the fact that I’m not going anywhere.
“A career on stage.” Adira waggles his eyebrows.
“Oh my God, I am never going through that again,” Ivy says. “I almost passed out. It was awful.”
“Whatever you decide,” I say, uncertain now what the right words are.
She glances up at me and the concerns I had a moment ago that we might not be on the same page melt with the force of her sunshine smile. I grip her hips and hold her against me. I don’t know that I could change our trajectory if I wanted to. The way I feel about her, our connection, has always been full throttle. Even when there was a whole other ego and some very dramatic wardrobe changes between us. My lips caress her ear. “You are absolutely going to keep this dress, though. You have no idea how sexy you are, do you?”
Her breath hitches. She has to be able to feel my erection pressed up against her. I’m not even a little bit ashamed of the fact that I am sporting wood in a room full of queens. That’s just what this girl does to me.
“It’s a wedding dress,” she reminds me.
“All I see is another one of your costumes that I can’t wait to toss on the floor.” I nibble on her earlobe. And yeah, the inkling of a future I want more with every moment we spend together.
“You two are adorable,” Adira says.
Riot’s phone rings and he wanders away as he answers it. Probably Ro. Has to be with the way the tension eases from his muscles and a smile carves his face.
“Party at Celeste’s. Are you coming?” Ermine Beaverhousen asks as he walks past in skinny jeans and a stretched out hot pink tank top.
“Sorry, not tonight,” Adira replies.
“Can I steal you away?” I ask Ivy. It’s not really a question. I have plans that involve finally having her all to myself. “I thought I’d take you to dinner.”
“Like a date?”
“Exactly like a date,” I say. “We can go to the party if that’s what you want, but I’m only interested in spending time with you. What do you think? Want to be alone with me?”
“Mmhmm.” She turns in my arms and wraps her hands around my neck. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Ivy? You down?” Ermine asks.
