Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

34

"What did you say to that woman? She looked like she was about to pass out." Kie said laughing as she and I started walking to the suit store, the boys behind us.

"Nothing crazy. I handed her cash instead of a card though." They all collectively stuttered. Pope even breathed in too heavily he almost choked. "I pulled the cash out cause I wanted that reaction out of her. But also wanted to make it easier to apologize for you three being disruptive." I sent a playful glare at the three behind us.

"Wifey. Can you purchase a ring?" I rose an eyebrow at JJ.

"What? Why?"

"So that I can propose to you and have you be my sugar momma for life." I snorted as John B and Pope shoved the blond's shoulders.

"Yeah, how about no. Way too young to be tied down, JJ."

"Besides, if anyone's marrying her it's me." Kie playful leaned her head on my shoulder as she brought her arms around me. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. You can all argue about this later. For now, we need to get y'all suits and shoes." I put an arm out to the glass door, ready to open it when the door opened for me.

"Hello. Welcome in." My eyes widened as I recognized that voice and the smell of that body wash. I looked up to see the face that went with the hand and I nearly fell backwards into Kiara.

No way.

"Hello." Kie said waving as she pushed past me, shooting me a look as I remained frozen where I was. Pope put a gentle hand on my back and got me to walk inside with him.

No freaking way.

"You good?" I shook myself from my stupor as I glanced around the shop. My eyes meeting the male's once again as he flashed me a knowing smile.

"Fucks sake." I mumbled under my breath, before I straightened up.

"Hi. I need to get these three fitted for a suit. They'll also need to look at dress shoes." I spoke confidently, there was no point in shying away. As I spoke I watched his smile become more like a smirk as he saw me examining his work attire.

Dark grey suit, black shoes, maroon tie. Dark hair slicked back, a gold watch on his wrist to match the gold tie pin.

Definitely a mafia boss in another universe. And I was correct to assume he worked in sales. I just wished it was at a warehouse store instead. Because suits fit too well into the narrative.

"Lets see what we can find. Any particular colors? Trinity? Reece?" Two more workers appeared from the back. A female and a male, both in suits and both very well kept.

I'm certain if he didn't know who I was he wouldn't have let us inside. We dressed nicely but nowhere near as nice as we should for this store or the one previous.

"Well, these are the ties were matching for each of them," I started, pulling the colors out of a small bag and handing them to the respected male, "but other than that, it's their choice."

"Love the color choices." Trinity spoke up as she approached the three. "We can start looking at the colors than Reece can help if we need to do any fittings. Would you two like to come as well?"

"If that's alright with y'all?" I addressed the boys who shrugged.

"I mean. You are buying and you two have the best eyes for this stuff." Kie nodded cause she knew it was true.

Trinity nodded smiling before beginning to walk away. The five of us following only for a voice to cut through the store.

"Sorry to interrupt, would it be possible for me to steal you away for a moment so we can grab some shoes while they look at suits." We all turned to the male at his request. His generic 'you' not being clear as to who he was speaking off.

"You'll need to be clearer on the you, Donovan." Reece piped up.

"The young lady in the green zip up jacket." I could have guessed that.

"Sure. Kie, make sure they don't get any crazy colors." I began to walk over to the opposite side of the store to the small wall of shoes. Donovan a few steps away walking beside me.

Good thing I asked for everyone's shoe size before we got off the ferry.

"So, what would you suggest for someone who needs these to last them a while. Durable, comfortable, but light."

"Hmm. Any particular color?"

"Black. It's the safest bet."

"I agree. But red happens to suit you quite well." I turned my head to face him to see him already smuggly grinning at me.

"Not sure whether I prefer Donovan or your moniker better." That evoked a laugh from him.

"I believe it depends on the time and place, Ms. Tallen." I felt the shiver shoot down my spin.

"You know, I assumed you were a salesman the first time we spoke. I was not anticipating on being right." I looked away from him and back to the shoes as I crossed my arms, the now empty shopping bag crinkling.

"Well it's only a part time job. Father owns the shop. Just doing my part as the dutiful son." My eyes widened as I looked at Donovan.

"You're Tenner Reeve's son?"

"Guilty as charged. Why the big reaction?"

"Don't look at me like you don't know how big of a deal your father is. My dad would specially request his suits - all the way from Texas." I stared at the male who appeared to be conflicted. I know that look. It was one I'd wear whenever my father was brought up. "I'm sorry." I whispered as I turned back to face the shoes.

"What for?"

"For whatever your father did to make you feel the way you just looked."

I could feel his eyes on me but I refused to entertain his stare. I was here for a mission, find shoes.

"I assume you've got daddy issues as well?"

"You have no idea, Donovan. No idea."