“They’re all good.” Spencer barely glanced at the clothing, his angry gaze fixed on Wolf.
Perhaps sensing the tension between them, Fernando hung the suits and ties on the hooks. “Uh, maybe I should go look for some shirts?”
Wolf gave him a brief smile. “Some casual clothes too. Stuff I can wear on the weekend.”
“Great. I’ll be back.” Fernando escaped, looking as though he couldn’t wait to get away.
Spencer stood in front of him. “Why are you really here?” A gleam sparked in his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re looking for a quickie in the dressing room? And don’t look so shocked. It happens more often than you’d think.”
It hadn’t occurred to him, butdamn. He blinked. “No. Of course not.” He huffed out a frustrated breath. “I guess I wanted to apologize.”
Spencer’s jaw dropped. “What? Apologize? You? To me?”
“That’s what I said.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Spencer’s brows drew together. “And what do you mean, youguess?” He crossed his arms. “You either want to or you don’t.”
A headache began to throb behind his eyes. “You know, you’re not making this easy.”
“Why should I?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t want to fight. We’re obviously not in a good place, so I’ve been staying away from all of you.”
“Yeah, we noticed. Elliot and Chess are really upset.” Spencer fixed his tie in the mirror and tugged on the sleeves of his jacket.
“But not you.” Wolf sat in the chair.
“You want the truth? No. I’m not. The Wolf I knew in college might’ve been a little uptight, but he was never mean. Not like you are now. Everything you say to me is like a cut to my skin, and it hurts. Especially after what happened between us. So if it means that I don’t see you, that’s okay, because frankly, I’m tired of it.”
Hearing the brutal truth from the normally lighthearted Spencer was breathtaking in its harshness. “Damn. Don’t hold back.”
“What do you want me to say?” Spencer threw his hands in the air. “The last time we saw each other you almost swallowed my tongue yet couldn’t wait to deny it and run away from me. You’re not attracted to me? Fine. The feeling’s mutual.”
If only Spencer knew it was the exact opposite. Every damn day Wolf struggled with a desire for Spencer that only seemed to grow every time they saw each other. The more they fought, the more Wolf wanted him. Only him. What would Spencer do if he grabbed him right then and kissed him? Excitement shot through him, but he squashed it immediately. That wasn’t why he’d come, and it wasn’t fair to Spencer to put him in that position.
A knock sounded. “Spencer? Are you in there?” The deep voice resonated, and Spencer’s jaw tightened.
“Great,” he muttered before placing a fake smile on his face and opening the door. “Hi, Christo. I was helping my friend with his wardrobe choices.”
An older man with shrewd dark eyes arched a bushy, gray brow. “It didn’t sound like you were talking about fashion. You’re not supposed to be socializing.”
Wolf stood and gave him a winning smile. “It’s my fault.” He held out his hand. “Garrett Wolf. I’m an old friend of Spencer’s, and I came here to refresh my wardrobe.” He pointed to the suits on the wall. “In addition to these, I have Fernando searching for casual wear.” Hopefully all the money he was spending would shut Christo up.
“I finished with my first client, and the second should be here in twenty minutes. Matty got a call that the client’s rehearsal is running late.”
Spencer’s explanation seemed to satisfy, as Christo tweaked his heavy silk tie and said, “Good. I’ll see you in my office later about Christianson’s fashion show. Mr. Wolf, I hope you find everything you need.”
“I’m sure I will. And I’ll make sure the partners at my firm come here when they need to buy new suits. Spencer will know exactly what they need.”
Christo gave him a faint smile and backed out of the room.
Spencer sank onto the bench, and Wolf leaned against the door, waiting until he heard the footsteps fade.
“Damn, that was a cold wind. Why doesn’t that man like you?”
“Don’t know. He’s not the friendliest guy to begin with, but he and I have an odd relationship. I think he’s a snob. His family runs a huge conglomerate of companies all over the world, and he doesn’t like having to spend time talking to peons like me.”
“But he should treat you better. You’ve worked your ass off for this store. Not many people rise through the ranks to the level you’ve achieved.”
