Page 90 of Burning for You
“Sorry I’m late!” the guy says, then he grins at me wide. “Hi, you must be Levi. I’m Bear.”
Bear is a beady-eyed, energetic, designery guy who has charm that you can readily relate to. He’s a hunk in his own right.
Looking at what I’m wearing, Bear says, “I’d say you won’t even need a suit!”
I welcome his thought with an equally wide grin.
He adds, “Seriously.”
Carolyn takes my hand. “The meeting will be at Brilliance, so we need a suit. Unless you’ll hate me for it?” She winks at me.
The last thing I want is to embarrass my girl in front of Josh. “I’ll wear a suit,” I say.
“Okay,” Bear says. “You pick whichever one feels right. They’re all good, believe me. If none of them suits you, I’ll give you more options.”
“This one is nice.” I pick a gray suit.
“Good choice!” Bear says. “Classic fit, Italian wool. Neutral cool grey—”
“Geyser grey,” Carolyn interjects.
“Oh shush, Lady Pantone!” Bear says. “Anyways, I think it’ll be perfect for you, Levi.”
I love the guy’s enthusiasm and his efforts toward making me feel at ease.
“Try them on,” Carolyn says, drawing the curtain of what looks to be a fitting room.
“Do you think this is the right size?” I ask.
“Everything on this rack is your size,” Carolyn says.
I raise my brows, smiling as I close the curtain.
Carolyn was right. The whole ensemble fits me as if it was tailor-made. Looking at myself in the mirror, now I know why I looked like a funeral director in my shirt and tie earlier. This suit is chic, very Carolyn, and something I can tolerate even though I feel like I’m in the wrong shell.
I come out to an impressed Bear and Carolyn.
“I love men who know their style,” Bear says. “Are you sure you’re not gay?”
Carolyn punches Bear’s shoulder, saying, “Stop acting like a bachelor! Bear has been together with his boyfriend for twelve years.”
“Wow, that’s something,” I say, glancing at Carolyn, secretly wondering if we could still be as strong that many years from now, even more.
Carolyn hugs my arm. “Don’t worry, Love Bug. You’re still mine, and I will defend you like crazy if this Bear ever tries to steal you from me.”
I kiss her. Then Carolyn licks her lips in lust and admiration. I know my mission for the day is accomplished.
“Is it okay if I just wear a white shirt inside?” I ask.
“Are you thinking of that white shirt?” Carolyn says.
“I guess not,” I say.
I think Carolyn and Bear notice that none of the shirts on the rack actually appeals to me. And thinking that I’m going to be choked with a tie for however long the meeting is going to take, I’m far from thrilled.
“You don’t have to wear a shirt,” Bear says. He studies my Adidas t-shirt behind the blazer, as if looking for inspiration. He asks, “You have a black turtleneck?”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Carolyn says.