Page 27 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

If only.

Gianna has me sign a waiver, and then she leads me back through the curtains to a dressing room, where a few garment bags are hanging in front of a mirror. “You have a couple outfit options. There are pictures with each so you can see howeverything is worn. Just let me know if you have questions. I’m happy to help.”

“Sure,” I say, eyes going a little wide as I look at the pictures attached to each bag.

Gianna leaves me to it, closing the curtain behind me. Tentatively, I unzip one of the garment bags, taking in the complicated set of belts and straps that appear to be a stand-in for actual clothes.

Thank fuck I shaved my balls.

It takes a good few minutes, but I finally get my outfit in place. It reminds me of a vintage fifties look, like what a man might have worn under his suit back in the day. Leather straps run from a belt around my waist to garters at my thighs. Smaller straps lead down to the high, fancy, herringbone socks I’m wearing. My briefs are ridiculously short, leaving my upper legs bare. And I’m shirtless.

But I have a bow tie. That’s something.

When I pop my head out of the curtain, Gianna gives me a smile. “Ready for the next step?”

The next step, as it turns out, is doing my hair. Gianna uses a combination of product and heat to set my hair in finger-waves. The whole effect really does make it look as if I fell out of the past.

Rad.

Gianna gives me a smile once done, meeting my eye in the mirror. “Ready to see your partner?”

Oh my God.

“Yes. Yep, show me.”

Gianna leads me down the hall. When she slips another curtain to the side and waves me forward, I lock eyes with Joey.

He immediately starts coughing.

“Dude,” I breathe, stepping forward. “Look at you.”

Joey is wearing a ridiculously tiny set of briefs, same as me. But instead of complex garters, he has a simple band around each thigh and suspenders that run over his shoulders. I’m so caught up in our coordinating outfits, I don’t realize at first how wide Joey’s eyes have gotten.

Right.

“Ah,” I say as gently as possible. “So, um. Turns out your date couldn’t make it. Sorry, man.”

I wince apologetically, but Joey only shakes his head, his mouth open.

“So, I figured I’d step in?” I go on. “Didn’t want to leave you hanging, J-roo.”

“Brad,” he says hoarsely.

Andfuck, he’s upset, isn’t he? Of course he is.

“I know, but it’s okay,” I say, heading over and sitting on the chaise beside him. “We’re not going to give up. So we had another strike. That’s only two. Next time, your bat is definitely going to make contact with some balls.”

Joey starts rubbing his face.

“At least you look awesome,” I tell him, giving his thigh a few slaps. “I mean,Christ. Look at these gams. You should be proud, man.”

Joey drops his hands, his cheeks a little red as he meets my eye. I stop patting his thigh and give him an encouraging smile, but he only blinks at me.

My gut drops. He’s still not happy.

“If you don’t want to do this, we can call it off,” I tell him, keeping my voice low. Gianna has graciously been giving us some space, setting up her photography equipment in the corner of the room while we talk. I’m sure she’d understand if we had to bail. She’s already been paid for her time, either way.

Joey lets out a breath. “It truly wouldn’t bother you?” he asks. “To be put in compromising positions with me in nothing but your underwear?”

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