Page 3 of Something Cheeky

“Also, we didn’t even get enough snow this winter for the plowsto run. I don’t know what you’re complaining about,” she reminded him over the whir of the blender.

“I can’t wait until I move somewhere warmer.”

“Wait, does that mean you’re leaving the DMV soon?” Zoe asked, using the locals’ abbreviation for DC and the two states surrounding it.

“Not yet, but as soon as I have enough saved, I’m moving to Vegas. Audition for somewhere I can dance all night. Is there a drag version of Thunder from Down Under?” TJ dreamed of doing drag full time and not as a side hustle.

“Maybe I’ll go with you.”

“And leave your gorgeous shop behind?” He gasped.

For half a second she imagined being surrounded by sequins and feathers as showgirls (or boys) ran around backstage as the stage manager yelled instructions. Her stomach clenched at the idea and she frowned.

“You’re right. Vegas sounds stressful. I love my shop and I love being my own boss even more.”

“Speaking of showgirls, thanks for the tickets toLysistratalast weekend. Your costumes were fire.”

“You’re welcome. Technically they’re not mine. My team and I only constructed them.” Zoe was thrilled that Prestige Rep had outsourced their work to her. Not only did it pay well, it was a refreshing change to work with rhinestones, tulle, and spandex. They weren’t the easiest fabrics to sew, but she’d worked with them in college.

“Don’t sell yourself short. I saw the designer’s sketches—if you can call washes of color and vague lines sketches.”

“They were pretty.”

“With plenty of room for interpretation. It takes talent to turn them into three-dimensional works of art.”

Zoe stood taller. She was proud of her team. They’d put in overtime to get the garments ready for tech week. She’d even done afew all-nighters of her own. That hadn’t been so different from the late nights in her college costume shop. A couple of super-strong coffee bobas had given her the caffeine kick she’d needed.

She remembered how much she enjoyed making over-the-top costumes. Lingerie wasn’t boring, but her clients preferred the same silhouettes. Every season was the same basic pattern with minor tweaks made in different colors or different fabric combinations. The few times she’d tried to introduce an innovative design, it didn’t sell well.

“I’ve always been good at draping and patterning. Helps to be good at math.”

TJ nodded as he slipped the cups into the machine to apply the film on tops of the drinks.

“I appreciate your feedback on the linings and undergarments,” she added.

“Anytime, babe. Thanks for letting me borrow your machine to work on my drag brunch outfits. Lady Sriracha-cha has never looked so good.” He held out the finished drinks and shimmied.

Zoe chuckled absentmindedly at TJ as she reconsidered her idea of a fashion line that included items that weren’t undergarments or relegated to the bedroom. Maybe that was the answer to this restlessness inside her. The same one that made her order the mango slush.

TJ handed Zoe her new order. She shook it hard to distribute the lychee jelly before stabbing the plastic film with her neon green plastic straw.

“O-M-G!” TJ exclaimed. “Don’t turn around, but there’s a tasty snack standing outside.”

She reflexively turned her head, but TJ grabbed her arm.

“Didn’t I say don’t look?” He tsked. “Let’s play Your Team or Mine.”

Zoe smiled indulgently at the mention of his favorite game toplay whenever she stopped in the shop. When things were slow, they checked out cute guys together and made up life stories for them. TJ also recounted his many sexcapades—all of which ended after the third date because he couldn’t possibly ask someone to commit if he was planning to leave for Las Vegas if the audition of a lifetime presented itself. She had yet to meet someone she wanted to date, but enjoyed living vicariously through his stories.

“Okay, he’s tall, maybe five-nine or five-ten. Looks Vietnamese, though clueless about good boba if he decides to come in here.”

“Hey! I like the drinks here.”

“That’s because you get my secret recipe. He’s got longish hair that looks like it’s been cut recently. Round glasses with thin frames give him a cute nerdy look. He’s wearing all black, even though it’s almost a hundred degrees out.”

Zoe huffed. Nothing TJ had described gave any indication of the person’s orientation.

“Give me details on his clothes. Do they look stylish or just thrown together?”

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