“Don’t get offended on my account,” Thomas whispered close to Scott’s ear.
Scott stiffened, caught glaring at a guy who was pointing. “I’m only offended they’re not looking at me.”
Thomas laughed, and the guy who irked Scott fell down the steps to the underground station.
“Instant karma,” Scott muttered.
“It’s not karma when it’s natural for them to stare.” Thomas glanced at him. “I mean, look at me.”
Scott did. “You’re Thomas.”
“We’ve walked past hundreds of people today and not one other has looked like me.” He smiled, and a woman heading towards them screamed.
“You like that, don’t you?” Scott said. “That there’s literally no one else who looks remotely similar to you.”
“I do.” Thomas gestured around them. “I’ve seen at least two of your doppelgängers lurking about.”
“Ha. Funny.” Scott stroked back his hair. “I have no doppelgänger, and if I did, he wouldn’t be lurking.”
“No, he’d be down some back alley with a cock in his mouth.”
Scott snorted. “He’d be down some back alley to avoid looking at you.”
Thomas laughed, nudging Scott with his elbow.
“This is the one,” Scott said, pointing at the lingerie shop. “This is the one Zara and Jade said to go to.”
“I can’t believe you texted your beauticians for underwear advice.”
“Hey, they’re more than beauticians. They’re friends.”
“They are paid to be nice to you, just as Carly and Jay are paid to be nice to me.”
Scott pushed the glass door open. “Forgive me, but didn’t Carly try to punch you earlier?”
“Yes, and she would’ve lost her job over it if she had. I like them. I like all my staff. But I’m not stupid enough to believe we’re friends.”
Scott shoved the door back, but Thomas caught it before it could make contact.
“Scott…” Thomas hissed.
“What? It wouldn’t have made any difference with your nose already flat.”
Thomas narrowed his eyes and shut the door behind him.
There were a few women milling about, running their hands along the rails of underwear, chatting away. Then one spotted Thomas, and the relaxed atmosphere changed. One by one, they left the shop, rushing past Thomas to get to freedom.
Scott glanced at Thomas, who just shrugged.
“Advantages,” Thomas said.
The red-head behind the counter also looked like she wanted to bolt.
“Can I…help you?” she called.
“Yes.” Scott stood in front of Thomas and went up on his tiptoes, attempting to block the sight of him. “I’d like a nice bra and some matching frilly knickers to go with it.”
“Not frilly,” Thomas mumbled. “Lace, maybe some ribbons.”
