Page 19 of The Companion Love Trap

“I’m sorry, Everly. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable or like I didn’t believe you. A designer friend of mine works here; they just started a new line, and I instantly thought of you when I saw the summer collection. I know how the fashion industry can be, and I would never want to put you in an uncomfortable situation, so if you don’t want to see if it might work, I’ll understand. We can go to another place.“

My anger deflated, and the embarrassment I’d been trying to avoid filled my cheeks anyway, but this time it was at myself.

Hello mouth, insert foot. Nothing like a rage mode outburst to make you humble.

Shoulders dropping, I tipped my head back as I stared at the sky to calm myself. Nature always worked better than anything else, reminding me how beautiful and vast the world was. A few clouds floated past, my body relaxing more and more as I stared. Blinking, I let out the last of my anger and glanced back at Jace. His eyes watched me, curiosity brimming in them and taking me by surprise.

“What did you just do?” he asked.

“Reminded myself how beautiful the world is.”

Jace’s hazel eyes grazed over my face like he was trying to memorize everything about me. My chest thumped like my heart had just flipped over itself.

“If you think this place has something for me, then I’ll trust you,” I said when I couldn’t take his eyes lingering on me any longer.

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

His eyes dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes as he gifted me a smile. Jace linked our fingers together like it was the most natural thing and pulled me along toward the door. My heart beat faster, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to his touch or if I was even more worried about this store than I’d let myself believe.

He punched in a code on the keypad, and the door unlocked, revealing a lavish entrance. Gold and black accented the area, from the columns to the rugs to the couches; it all had an eloquent goth vibe to it. Racks of clothes were placed in the back with doors and a center stage for everyone to preen on. A few people turned at our entrance and looked us over, or me more aptly, then returned to their business.

Jace pulled me around the side, not stopping to talk to any of the attractive onlookers who all followed him with their eyes. I could understand why. The man was too gorgeous for his own good. When we neared a black door with gold writing that spelled out Sapphire, I cocked my head as I tried to remember if I knew of it.

The door opened, and a man dressed in a feather robe, silk shorts, and snakeskin boots stepped out, his smile widening at the sight of Jace. He had on huge glasses that covered most of his face. His appearance was so strange I didn’t know how to take him. It was like a Drag Queen had thrown up on someone’s grandfather.

“My boy!” He hugged Jace, giving him big, wet kisses on his cheeks. Since Jace still held my hand, I followed, getting a mouth full of feathers in the process.

Spitting out the pink fuzz, I froze when the man grasped my face in his hands, worried I was about to be his next wet kiss victim.

“Yes, yes!” he exclaimed, turning my face from side to side. He stepped back and picked up my arm as he examined my body. It didn’t feel sexual, more like he was dressing me rather than undressing. “Oh, she’s perfect, my boy! I keep telling you that you’re in the wrong field.”

“Nonsense. I’ve worked in the industry long enough to know what to look for. I shoot the pretty things, not create them.”

The man tutted at Jace, dismissing his words with a wave of his hand. “So modest.” He turned back to me, his glasses moving as he scrutinized me.

“Please let me dress you, lovely. You’d make this gay old man so happy.”

“Um, sure.” I wasn’t usually one to stammer, but this whole situation had thrown me off. I was out of my element, and all the rules had changed.

“Peter!” the man said, snapping his fingers behind him. “Get a room ready for our lovely girl. I want everything from the summer collection.”

“Everything?” a young guy behind the feathered man asked.

“Yes. I’ve found the perfect model.”

“Model? Oh, no. I’m just here to try on clothes.”

“We’ll see,” the man said, giving me a wink like he thought I was playing hard to get.

“I’m not modeling,” I told Jace, hoping he’d listen.

“Ferro is just teasing,” he said, giving me a promise with his eyes. I took a breath, trusting he wouldn’t make me do anything I didn’t feel comfortable with.

“Fine, but I’m making you take me to get greasy cheeseburgers and milkshakes afterward for the endured torture.”

“Whatever you wish, Firecracker.” Jace smiled, and I felt it zing to my toes. It just wasn’t fair.

Stepping into Sapphire, I was taken aback at the difference from the front of the store, especially after what Ferro wore.

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