Page 13 of Sass

“Nope.” I wagged a finger at him, because I wasn’t going to touch that wriggling bag of snakes with a ten-foot pole. “Don’t try and make this more than it is by suggesting this is all because I like the guy and got my feelings hurt.”

Rhys folded his arms. “So, do you? Like him, I mean?”

“No,” I lied, ignoring the flip in my belly at the image of Leon talking to Susie with such obvious adoration while she looked at him like he hung the fucking moon. “He’s sexy as shit and I wouldn’t say no to fucking him, but like? Nah. The crew mutinied on that ship a long time ago.”

Rhys blinked. “Okay, look. Maybe Leon meant it, maybe he didn’t. And maybe it was simply a misunderstanding that blew out of proportion. All I know is that in all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never heard Leon say anything unkind to anyone. So, maybe the two of you could take these few weeks to clear the air. It couldn’t hurt to try, Kip. He’s a great business neighbour and I’d like him to stick around.”

I shot Rhys a withering look, mostly because it saved me from admitting he was right. Then the thud of Leon’s feet on the stairs thankfully ended the conversation.

“Okay, I’ll think about it. But only for you.” I stepped away from the door, but before I could open it, Rhys surprised me with one of his rare hugs.

“I’m only a phone call away. Foranything,” he reminded me.

I rolled my eyes and pulled open the door. “Don’t fuss. I’m sure I’ll survive.”

“I’m sure you will.” He dusted off my shoulders and straightened my shirt. “Would it make you feel better if I promise to bring you back a Marc Jacobs freebie?”

“Make it a Moschino and you’re on.”

Rhys laughed and I left him to finish packing his office into neat little boxes while I took a deep breath and made my way to the service desk where Leon waited with a nervous smile in place.

“Come on.” I crooked my finger at him. “I’ll show you how the alarm system works.” Then I looked him up and down. “At least you won’t need a stool to key the code in.”

He snorted. “Does anyone?”

I flipped him off over my head. “I refuse to answer that.”

* * *

The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, then Rhys, Beck, Hunter, and Alec all headed to the airport just after lunch, which left me the afternoon to set my little fiefdom plans in motion. I might’ve thought Rhys was nuts for trusting an unqualified guy like me to run his business, and I was admittedly more than a little daunted at the prospect, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t up for the challenge. It was the fact of making the whole thing official that scared the shit out of me. Other designers would surely think he was crazy, and the last thing I wanted was to let Rhys down or embarrass him.

Still, he’d given me carte blanche to reorganise things the way I wanted, and once I’d accepted that he was determined to make this ridiculousness happen, the idea made me giddy with power. I colour-coded my wardrobe, for fuck’s sake. One look around the store I was now fully in charge of and I almost creamed myself at the possibilities.

A draught of cool air made me blink and I turned to find Drew fanning me with a catalogue. “You’re looking a little flushed there, Boss.” He smirked. “Plans for world domination going to your head?”

I snatched the catalogue and flicked him on the wrist with it. “One small step at a time, grasshopper. First, we take Manhattan.” I glanced at the catalogue and frowned. “What’s this?”

Drew’s cheeks pinked. “I, um, needed a few things.”

I raised a brow and he sighed. “Go on, take a look.”

I scanned the catalogue noting the pages of binders, packers, and a whole range of transgender clothing options, including brands who specialised in transitional apparel. I browsed through the collections with growing interest. Some of the designs were pretty damn good.

Drew nervously chewed on his lips as I flicked through. “My top surgery has been delayed until next year,” he said, refusing to meet my gaze when I looked up. “I’ve been putting off buying stuff, thinking I’d be able to ditch the binders soon, but I won’t, and I could do with some other basics as well. I know I need to look good working here. I don’t want to let you guys down.”

I frowned. “You know that you can take any of the samples that interest you, if you want. Just okay it with me. And if you need a bigger discount on shop stuff, we can work something out.”

“Thanks.” The flush spread to his hairline. “Rhys has given me some things, but straight off the rack doesn’t always work for us. And I know what’s inthere—” He nodded to the catalogue. “—isn’t up to Flare’s standards, but I can make it work. You’ve taught me how to do that, and it’s really hard—”

“Hey, don’t apologise,” I hushed him. “You always look amazing. It’s as much about the attitude as the clothes, remember?”

Drew’s mouth curved up in a smile and he nudged me. “Yeah. I’ve learned from the master.”

I snorted, but a warmth spread through my chest at his words. “That’s nice of you to say, but you’ve developed a great style that’s all your own. I know that working in a place like this is a huge thing for you, especially with the dysmorphia. We all understand that.”

Drew shuffled on his feet. “The therapy helps. But mostly it’s you guys. I feel... safe here, I guess.”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat and cursed his arsehole parents for the millionth time. “That’s... good. You deserve nothing less. And just so you know, you could never let us down. We are all so fucking proud of you. Me, Rhys, Beck, Hunter, Alec, Rhys’s mum, Leon and all the crew next door. You’re a great guy and I hope you know you can come to us withanything.”

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