“I’m buying you a shot!”She announces as we reach the bar and I can’t help but laugh.
5
Straton
“Holy shit, congrats, Ser!”I say on the video call with my cousin, after he shares his engagement news.
“Do you think you can make it out here again so soon after your last visit?Would love to have you at the wedding.”
“Yeah, I’m sure I can figure it out.One of the perks of being my own boss.”
“Awesome, man.So how are things?Did anything happen after that Merla reading?I know you said you met someone, but that was like months ago and it’s been crickets from you.”
“I may have met someone.But I have had zero reason to randomly reach out to the woman.Well, actually, until now.”
“Explain.”
“Well, I think I told you I met her at a Yule event and she was selling her handmade clothing.Gorgeous stuff, she’s wicked talented.Anyway, yeah, there seemed to be something between us and I took her card.But I had no excuse to call her and have her make me something, you know?”
“You could have just made something up, dude.”
“You know me, I suck at that stuff.But, anyway, now I can call her.I’ll have her make me a suit for your wedding.”
“If you two fall in love, then I am taking full credit,” Serapion jokes.
“Ha, fine, you would deserve it, I suppose.”
“So, we want the wedding to be on the first day of spring.Hope that isn’t too crazy for you.”
“I can manage it.It’s enough time for me to let my regulars know, in case they need something done sooner.It’s all good, man.So happy for you.”
Ending the call, I sit back in my desk chair and smile to myself.It’s nice to just be happy for Serapion without also feeling jealous.And the only reason for this that I can think of is the fact that I am about to call Ophelia Marwood’s clothing shop.Digging out the card from the safe spot I have kept it inside my desk drawer, I call and reach her assistant.She sets me up with an appointment for the next day and I spend the rest of the evening in a wicked good mood.
Stepping into Stitch and Soul,I am immediately greeted with a cock-hardening sight.
“Oh!Hello,” Ophelia says, clearly remembering me from the Yule event.
“Hi there.Uh, sorry, it’s taken me so long to avail you of your services, but I finally had a reason to seek out your artistic gift.”
Watching her brown cheeks redden shoots a thrill through my body, and her smile nearly knocks me out.
“So, your name is Straton Del Toro?”
“Yes.Sorry, did I not even introduce myself in December?That was rude of me.”
Her light laugh is melodious.
“No worries.What can I help you with?”
“Well, like I told your assistant…”
“Oh, that was just my friend Maya.I had a wedding party yesterday, and she was just helping me wrangle everyone.”
“Oh, okay.Anyway, speaking of weddings, my cousin is getting married on the first day of spring, all the way in California.He just told me.Is there any chance you could make me a suit for it?I know that doesn’t give you much time.”
The beautiful seamstress chews on her lower lip, looking me up and down with her dark eyes.
“I think I can pull it off.But we need to get to work immediately.”
