Page 43 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
“You sure? No hot dates?” he asked Damian
Damian clapped Collin on the back. “The hottest date I’ve had lately is you.”
Collin rolled his eyes. “That is not what I was referring to.”
Damian chuckled and leaned in. “If you’re worried about me, little bro, I don’t mind trading in Bear for a brother now and then.”
Collin poked him. “Ask Master. It’s not my place to say yes.”
Damian grinned. But something in his eyes seemed sad. Collin tilted his head and studied Damian’s face.
“How is your person-not-person?”
Damian grimaced. “We were supposed to talk today, but they didn’t answer. They aren’t texting either.”
“Any way to check on them?”
“Maybe, but not right away, and it’s not certain.” Damian’s shoulders slumped.
Collin put an arm around him and squeezed. “We’ll figure it out. You know we’re here for you.”
“I know. But I can’t make someone be with me if they don’t want to be. So, what about lending me the kids for a few hours?”
“Golly, now you make it sound like I’m doing you a favor.”
Damian batted his eyes. “Who says you’re not?”
“Fine, fine! I was going to say yes, anyway.”
Modeling clothes for his doms was exhausting. And nothing like normal shopping. There were clothes to try on, a dressing room, and a fitting room but no open racks. They were far and away from any plebian street-front open shopping space. Everything was by appointment, and there were catalogs and fabric swatches in books on heavy wooden tables. Most things that came out of this place were custom-made.
It was easier to just meekly try things on and let the tailor and his doms talk. The rest was too overwhelming. Mr. Moreau took the lead, and Mr. Reevesworth made comments and suggestions now and then. The tailor seemed enthused. Collin wasn’t even sure what all was ordered. Two hours in, he gave up and just did what he was told. Everything they’d put on his body so far had looked good, and most of it had felt good. What he did notice in the mirror, between outfits, was that the tone in his arms was deeper than it had been, and his stomach was flatter and harder.
Maybe the early-morning trips to the gym to see Nihal were paying off.
The three of them hit the gym afterward and showered. They had to hurry to make their reservation at the Korean barbecue place so there was no play in the water.
Dinner that night had become Damian’s show. He’d pulled out all the stops and expanded the guest list to include Ash sometime during the afternoon. The restaurant had a private party space in the back behind closed doors and had opened it for them to accommodate their security.
Alice looked around wide-eyed, slipping her shoes off at the edge of the table as they entered. “This is really different.”
Ash slid in next to Alice and reached for her hand. “My chopstick skills are not at this level.”
Alice squeezed his hand back. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you. I’ve been practicing ever since Collin promised me we’d come here.”
Ellisandre and Linda made it a few minutes after everyone else was seated. Alice stared at Ellisandre for two seconds too long to be polite and then blinked hard and turned pink. “You’re gorgeous.”
Ellisandre’s face lit up. “Why thank you. You’re a snack yourself.”
Alice colored right up to her bangs, but bashfulness didn’t stop her. “Please, please, please tell me where you shop.”
Ash nudged her and shook his head. “They don’t. They sew.”
“I sew some of my things. A lot of it is adjustments. I also shop and sometimes order items.” Ellisandre settled into their seat across from Alice. Linda sat down beside them.
“My wardrobe is boring,” Alice said. “I’m working on it. Thrifting helps. Most stores are same, same, same.”
“Thrifting is history’s gift of mysteries and possibilities,” Ellisandre declared. They turned to Damian. “Starving does not begin to cover the level of my hunger. Please tell me you’ve already ordered.”
