Page 47 of Truth or Spare

“My place?” Dewey’s head cocked. “It’s…okay. Nothing like you’re probably used to.”

Theo gave him a flat look. “I’m used to a Minnie Winnie.”

“You know what I mean,” Dewey muttered, rolling his eyes. “You own castles and a chalet, Theo.”

“I do,” Theo conceded, then curled a finger so Dewey would come closer. He leaned in and Theo hummed in approval as he traced the top button on Dewey’s Henley. “Castles are fine, I suppose. But not one of them has a large, grumpy bear with hands the size of boulders for me to climb,” he said in a low, sultry purr and bit his lip, winking at Dewey. “Can’t fuck a turret or drawbridge. Not without getting splinters.”

Dewey’s lips pursed and stretched and twisted as he blinked back at Theo. “You really don’t think of anything else.”

“Nee. So there’s really no point in worrying about the state of your house,” Theo said with a wide grin, but Dewey shook his head.

“The ‘state’ of my house is fine. It’s just not that grand, like a castle. No turrets or drawbridges.”

“Very unsexy. I’ll have to settle for fucking a grumpy bear,” Theo said seriously.

“Whatever. Cassie should be here around 5, if you want to take off early. Bryce is already trying to get rid of me. Figured I’d pick you up around 7:30, if that’s alright.”

“Leiwand!”

Theo waited until Dewey lumbered off to his office to panic.Whatwas he going to wear for his very first date with Dewey and how in the world was Theo supposed to get ready in two-and-a-half hours? That would be a challenge under ideal conditions, but in the Winnie?

He glanced down and Walter was stretched out on his side and snoring but Theo knew he would appreciate the conundrum they were in if he was awake.

“My gut is telling me that it has to be a suit. Dewey mightthinkhe doesn’t want me to make a big deal about this and dress up. Butheis a big deal and deserves my absolute best,” he murmured and nodded as he mentally considered the suits hanging in the Winnie’s closet. “No shortcuts tonight!” he said, then leaned over the counter.

Aside from Keith and a couple on 4, the alley was empty and everything was running smoothly with Bryce and Chase. Theo decided he’d sneak out to the Winnie and lay out one of the navy Loro Piana suits. You could not go wrong with a two-button, single-breasted suit and he had another tie with even bigger pink roses.

“And I have the perfect vest for you,” he said as he lowered to give Walter a shake and wake him up. “We’re going to look stattlich for Brooks tonight.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Dewey should have known that Theo was up to something when he insisted they meetinthe bowling alley at 7:30, instead of out back by the Winnie.

“Well! Look at you!” Cassie said when Dewey arrived, whistling loudly.

“Don’t—!” Dewey swatted for her to keep it down but it was too late, several heads swiveled in their direction. “Damn it, Cass. You just saw me an hour ago.”

She had given his hair and beard a trim in the women’s restroom before Dewey went home to shower and change into his “good” jeans and the new sweater she had left hanging on his bedroom door. The V-neck was soft and a pretty shade of dark purple. Dewey would never have picked something that nice on his own and hoped it worked with the darker jeans and his black boots.

“I can’t wait until Theo gets here. He’s going to faint when he sees how well you clean up.”

“Stop it.”

“Make me,” she countered and stuck out her tongue. “Dinner’s in the oven and the table’s all set. All you have to do is light the candles, pour the wine, and be yourself.”

“Be myself,” he repeated, grimacing. “You all put a lot of effort into tonight and I’m going to wreck it just by showing up,” he predicted as he considered his ensemble. Apparently, the cashmere sweater was going to be birthday present but Cass had decided his date with Theo was a bigger occasion. He looked up when he heard whistles and cheers.

“Holy smokes!” Cassie was standing upright and leaning against the counter but almost fell. She had to hold on as Theo strode toward them with a bouquet of hot pink roses while Walter marched proudly on a new leather leash.

Walter was dapper in a navy and pink argyle sweater vest, but Dewey also needed the counter for support because Theo looked breathtaking. Dewey was actually breathless and his face tingled as people clapped and shouted catcalls at Theo.

“Why’s he dressed…like that?” Dewey managed weakly, stunned by the sight of Theo in an impeccable navy suit and pink floral tie. His hair was swept back and his five-o’clock shadow made Dewey’s hands and lips itch, he couldn’t wait to touch and bite Theo’s chin and the corner of his jaw.

“For you,” Theo said when he reached them, holding out the roses to Dewey.

“Where did you get those?” Cassie blurted and pointed, but Theo just shrugged and smiled adoringly at Dewey.

“Brooks deserves only the best.”

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