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“Definitely not, I’m glad you got a chance to meet him. Besides, he clearly won’t be sticking around ... tonight anyway.”
“Get out there,” Josh said, pushing me to the balcony. “I can make coffee for three ... go, go, go.”
Then I had a brilliant idea – yeah I was full of them; Josh could check out The Russian’s suits and tell him what style was in ... Josh was a fashion guru after all.
“Know anything about tuxedos?” I asked.
“Is Chanel timeless?” he said.
I gave him a grin, left the dishes in the sink and went back out to the balcony to appreciate the view of The Russian. He turned as I rejoined him.
“You’ve done well, Brooker,” he said, “I like a self-made woman.”
“Thanks. I like to be independent, have my own assets, you know a girl has to these day,” I said, not letting on that I’d checked out his ex-girlfriend and knew she was living off daddy – but hey, who wouldn’t in her situation?
“Good on you,” he said.
“I have a suggestion.”
He looked at me with raised eyebrows as if I was going to suggest he stay the night. I wish.
“Josh is a bit of a fashion guru, he’s been helping me with my dress selection for the Gala Ball. I think you should put the tuxes on for us both, and let him tell you what’s in vogue.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Anyone would think you just want to see me in a tux,” he said.
“Hell no, I’ve got other things I could be doing,” I teased him. “There’s the sock drawer which needs sorting by color and I usually polish the silver once a week ...”
He gave me one of those melt-your-insides smiles that he turned on so effortlessly.
“But,” I continued, “given I’m a guest speaker on Sunday night and I’m going to look pretty fabulous, well, you need to step up.”
“I’ll give you step up in a moment,” he said and moved to tickle me. Yes, seriously, tickle me! Clearly he had sisters. I fought him off laughing and then I grabbed his hand—mine felt small in his—and pulled him inside. I picked up the suits and pointed to my room. “You can change in there.”
He and Josh exchanged looks like they were two men who put up with me – I was so pleased they had bonded, even at my expense, and I watched The Russian’s sexy butt as he went into my room and made a point of closing the door. Thank the Lord I was a minimalist and I knew my room was pretty clean. Plus, years and years of my dad, the reverend, boring into me that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ had worked – not that the Holy Scriptures actually said that but try telling my father that.
Josh brought our coffees and a plate of chocolate biscuits over to the coffee table in front of the sofa and we sat waiting for The Russian’s fashion parade – I would have paid to see that. Five minutes later he walked out of my room in the first tux to find us both sitting on the sofa, staring at my bedroom door waiting for him. Josh gasped louder than I did, the Lord keep him for that. The Russian shook his head at the two of us.
“Shh, Russian,” I said, “we’re working here.”
Josh gave me a look.
“Okay, Josh is working here,” I shrugged.
“Armani? A Giorgio tuxedo?” Josh asked.
The Russian’s eyes widened in surprise. “Got it in one,” he said.
My draw dropped open. “How do you even know that?” I said, momentarily tearing my gaze away from The Russian to look at Josh, but returning immediately to The Russian.
“I know quality,” Josh said.
“He’s a fashionista and makeup artist,” I said, explaining Josh to The Russian.
“Mm, turn around,” Josh said.
I love Josh, did I mention that? The Russian did a full turn, and was not at all uncomfortable with the instruction.
“Nice,” Josh said. “Lightweight wool, satin accents, peak lapels, single button close. Nice, very nice. That’s very much in vogue. Next.”
