“No, it doesn’t and can really spice things up.”
“Except, I have no idea how to work that garter thingy.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll show you.”
Jeremy closed the shop, so we didn’t get any new visitors. He then demonstrated with a mannequin how to put on the garters and suspenders. After going through it twice, he handed me the materials to try.
“You’re so good at this,” I commented as I struggled to fasten the garter. “Are you the type who sells but would never use their own goods?”
“I’m the guy who has almost one of everything in this store at my apartment,” he replied. “I enjoy wearing sexy lingerie, always have. It’s been my thing since high school, so it felt natural to open this place when my partner decided to fund my business idea.”
“And your partner finds it okay?”
He winked at me. “Okay? He freaking loves it. He has a thing for seeing me in red lace.” He chuckled. I hope that’s not too much information.”
“Just a little.”
“Alright. I’ll stop embarrassing you. Let me get you a bag for these. Please, please show up tonight. I’m always looking to meet new friends.”
I smiled because I genuinely liked the guy. He had an interesting personality and an attitude that screams he was a self-confident gay man in his skin, and he didn’t give a fuck what anyone else thought. I liked that vibe from him and really hoped Tate would be in the mood to stop by the party later tonight.
“Thanks, a lot,” I told him as he walked me to the exit. “I’ll see if the boyfriend is in a mood to go out later or maybe I’ll show up alone.”
“Make him come,” he said with a grin. “And the pun is deliberate. It’s going to be a little naughty sexy party with many of my single gay friends, so you don’t want to come alone. You’re way too fine for your man to let you run around with a bunch of single, horny men.”
Despite the way he said things, I never got the impression he was hitting on me. He spoke his mind and moved on. I was curious about the man who had captured Jeremy’s wild heart. From his smiles, happiness and bubbly personality, he was deeply in love with his guy. I liked seeing someone else as happy as Tate and I were.
“It was nice meeting you,” I told him and was surprised when he gave me a hug.
“Sorry. I’m a hugger by nature. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He released me almost as quickly as he had hugged me.
I nodded at him. “It’s fine. Thanks again and I’ll see you later.”
“Great. Bring back a story to tell.”
I couldn’t help it. This time I grinned at him and he winked at me before disappearing back into his shop.