Page 15 of Heat Transfer
Felix arched a brow. “Studly, big guy like that? Then what is?”
You.
Except I’d never admit that out loud. I opened the door and stepped out. “The guys I usually go for? Lanky, preferably smaller than me. Kinda pretty. Good sense of humor. Connection’s the biggest factor.”
I snagged our takeout from the back seat and hurried across the parking lot as if I could outrun my blush. The playground was nearby and a picnic bench in easy distance.
Felix slunk up right beside me. “Ah, so you won’t mind parading me on your arm, then. I’ve been told I’m kinda pretty.”
Fucking gorgeous.
I sucked in a breath, a little dizzy from the whiplash events of the day. “Anytime you want.”
Chapter six
Felix
Kennett didn’t have much of a selection for tux rentals and purchases, but most of the shit in Philly was too rich for my blood. Boutique La Familia fit into Kennett with the higher Spanish-speaking population, and I was right at home there. I entered, and the scent of fabric cleaner and cinnamon wafted my way.
“Buenos tardes,” I called to the little old man behind the counter.
He stretched out of his hunch and offered a smile. “Como estas?”
“Oh, you made it.” Cor strode up to me.
I lost whatever words I prepared to say. Normally, Cor was either in sweaty tees or work coveralls, but today he wore a russet Henley that hugged his broad chest in all the right ways and jeans that showcased the man’s powerful thighs. His thickbrown beard was groomed, his hair tamed, and when his gaze landed on me, those soft blue eyes crinkled.
My heart thumped a little harder. The guy was a looker, so it wouldn’t be a hardship to pretend to be dating.
Cor squeezed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure if they have anything that would fit me.”
“Guaranteed they do.” I looped my arm through his and all but dragged him to the counter.
“Do you have any suits in his size?” I asked the guy. “Guapo, eh?”
The older man shook his head at me, though an amused grin lifted his lips. “Por aqui.”
I didn’t bother extricating my arm from Cor’s and followed what was probably the shop owner toward the back of the place. All up in Cor’s business, I caught the sharp scent of his cologne, some vetiver and sandalwood combination I liked a little too much. Sniffing him nonstop would get classified as weird, though.
The man gestured to a rack near the back with large suits meant for broad guys like Cor.
“Te debo una,” I said to him, and he nodded, then returned to the front. I nudged Cor in the side. “See? Options.”
“How did I not know you spoke Spanish? Are you fluent?” He riffled through the suits.
“Mama is from Puerto Rico and raised us speaking it.” I needed to find something for myself as well, since I didn’t often go to fancy soirees that required specific attire. Hopefully, this wouldn’t break the bank.
“What about this one?” Cor held up a charcoal suit. The color would look damn fine on him.
“Yeah, go try it on.”
He walked to the changing room on the other end of the store—but considering the store wasn’t that large to begin with, itwasn’t far. I scurried over to the smaller suits, ones in my size and scanned for a navy blue. Even though I didn’t wear fancy clothes often, I’d donned enough office attire in my early years of reporting for my IT jobs that I knew what colors worked for me and what didn’t.
A navy blue suit stood out, and I checked if it was in my size. Score.
“Felix.”
I whipped around, but no Cor.