She chuckled. “Take some before you leave. Now, Mr. Farren, Aldo will be here in a minute. Why don’t you tell me which fabrics you favor?”
Sam happily sat down on one of the oversized chairs in the corner, smiling the whole time I talked with Vittoria. Whenever I glanced at him, he’d either wave or grin even wider than usual. He was a persistent little brat, and I was going to have a hell of a time shaking him off.
CHAPTER NINE
Sam
Aldo hadLukas wrapped in fabric, pins sticking this way and that, a suit that looked like patches, and yet, he was the hottest person I’d ever seen.
He didn’t talk much, just commented here and there regarding the fit. I, however, was keeping the conversation going. Aldo and Vittoria were like the neighborhood grandparents, and after my folks passed away the two of them had wrapped me in their arms and brought me to their house.
“When does Richie return from Japan?” I asked Aldo about his son. He often traveled because of his job, bringing back amazing fabrics for his parents.
“Next week.” He smiled.
“I can’t wait to see what he brings back.”
Lukas glanced up at me, and I took it as an invitation. “Richie is their son. He travels the globe as a photographer, but he always brings things home for Aldo and Vittoria.”
“I see.” He didn’t sound like he really cared.
“My Richie and Sammy here would spend hours dressing in fabrics as little kids. Sammy couldn’t do a lot of running around, so on the hard days Richie would gussy him up and take pictures. I knew he’d be clicking a camera for years to come.”
I swallowed, hating that Aldo mentioned me being sick, but it was a small town and everyone knew everything, Aldo clearly didn’t think Lukas wouldn’t know. When Lukas looked at me his brow furrowed, and I could see how curious he was about what Aldo had said.
“And he has made a name for himself, for sure.” I motioned to some of the blown-up magazine covers the Abbadellis had on the wall. “Richie’s work.”
Lukas took in each one. “He certainly has a keen eye.”
“Indeed.” Aldo stood from his crouch by Lukas’s ankles. “How does that feel, Mr. Farren?”
Lukas moved his arms slowly. “Very good.”
“Terrific. And did I hear that right, you’d like three tuxedos?”
Lukas nodded curtly. “Yes, but I don’t need them at once. I do however need one within the next few weeks.”
“That can be done.”
It was a delicate process removing the suit held together by pins and determination, but it was like a striptease in my mind. Soon enough, he stood in just his boxer briefs and black socks. His body was a work of art. He was toned, not overly muscular, but he looked like he swam or ran daily. His skin was tanned, and his hair was mostly black, but every so often he’d move his head and I’d see a silver strand here and there. Add the purple eyes, and he was otherworldly.
I was sad to see him get dressed, but admittedly he was just as hot clothed. Once he and Aldo finished talking, he walked right out the door as if I hadn’t been there the entire time. Quickly, I raced after him as he strode down the street.
“Lukas, wait up.”
I saw his shoulders tense from here, but he did stop. “What is it now, Sam? Is there more of my day you wish to observe?”
“Well, yeah, if you’ll let me.”
“I will not.”
“How about ice cream, at least?”
Lukas clenched his jaw. It was definitely a weakness of his, and I’d abuse the shit out of it if it gave me more time with him.
“If I agree to ice cream, will you sit there silently?”
“Nope.”
