Chapter 1

Iturned right when the woman on the GPS told me to, leaning my arm on the open window frame of Burke's SUV and taking in the beautiful, coastal scenery while trying not to get lost on my way to Barrett's Port. Burke and Sal both offered to go with me, but it was only the next town over and I needed a moment to myself. To think, to plan, to breathe…

Three thousand miles between me and Sacramento, and it still wasn't enough to yank off the blanket of dread weighing me down when I thought about home. I didn't like what was waiting for me—or not waiting for me—when I went home after the wedding, but I was trying like hell to keep my mind off the inevitable lengths my mom would go to. Lengths she'd already gone to in order to change the road in front of me.

"Your destination is on the right."

I snorted, tempted to tell the computerized voice to mind her own damn business. Like I needed another person telling me what road to take? Great, now I thought even the GPS was trying to control the direction my life was headed in. Ironically, the only person not succeeding in controlling the direction my life went was me. Go fucking figure.

The store was one of five businesses in a small strip mall with a free-standing steakhouse on the far side of the parking lot. I parked the car and scratched the dark scruff on my chin, staring out my windshield at the rental place in front of me. Skinner's Formal Wear. I shivered, the name making my fucked-up brain immediately go to some Silence of the Lambs shit.

"If you see a bottle of lotion in a basket in there, you better haul fucking ass, Enzo." I laughed to myself then shook my head and blew out a deep breath. "Jeez, get out of the car before you lose your damn mind." I opened the door and made sure to lock the car behind me. I didn't see Barrett's Port as being some hotbed of crime, but I wasn't taking any chances with Burke's car.

A bell rang over the door as I pushed it open, and a voice from somewhere in the back called out, "I'll be right with you!" I took the opportunity to have a look around, and two things immediately stood out. One, there didn't seem to be any questionable materials used for these suits—I really needed to stop watching disturbing movies. Two, I could already tell this was going to kick my wallet right in the nuts.

Sure, there were the standard black tuxedos on display, along with basic suits in neutral colors. What caught my eye, though, were the bold pieces that definitely made a statement. Royal blues, deep reds, gold embroidery… Some with subtle patterns, others with more abstract designs. They weren't my thing, but that didn't mean I couldn't appreciate how incredible they were.

"Can I help you?"

I spun around, opened my mouth to answer, and proceeded to swallow my tongue. I knew what words were, had used them all my life, and yet, they'd all escaped me as I stared at the dark-haired man in front of me. Big, hazel eyes held me captive, the lashes surrounding them long and full, and I was pretty sure they were coated with mascara. I had a sudden urge to run my fingers through his short, dark waves and see if they were as soft as they looked. His high cheekbones were flushed a soft pink. His full lips the color of watermelon—and probably tasted just as sweet—were slowly fading from a smile into a frown.

"You're not going to give me trouble, are you?" Hazel Eyes studied me.

I should've responded, but the guy's long, graceful fingers, each nail painted a deep purple, curled around his slim hips and completely distracted me. I chanced glancing down…long, lean legs…until my gaze stopped on an expensive-looking shoe, the toe tapping on the hardwood floor. The universal sign for someone impatiently waiting.

Oops…

Sure enough, as I met his gaze again, he looked less than thrilled—and a bit uneasy—standing in front of me. I needed to say something and fast…but he beat me to it.

"Look," Hazel Eyes said, followed by a long sigh, "if you'd like someone else to help you, you'll have to wait until the owner comes back." He raised a dark brow and added, "He's right next door, so don't even think of giving me a hard time."

"Why would I give you a hard time?" Hello there, words. Thanks for joining me.

The guy glanced down at himself, but I didn't understand the message he was trying to send. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe a bit too colorful for your taste?"

"Colorful?" Now I really had no idea what he was talking about. He was wearing black pants that were tailored perfectly to his body. His tucked-in, button-down shirt reminded me of one of the detailed suits I'd been admiring, but it was by no means colorful. It was a navy blue with a subtle floral print just a shade or two darker than the rest of the material.

"Yes, as in taste the rainbow?" For the first time the guy looked flustered, holding his hand out in front of him as those hazel eyes grew impossibly wider. "That wasn't an invitation!" His face scrunched up, just shy of a pout, as if he'd realized at the last second to keep his expression stoic. "So much for trying to seem intimidating."

Taste the…? Oh… There was absolutely no checking in with my brain when my mouth blurted, "My cousin's gay." My cousin's gay? What the actual fuck, Enzo? I pressed my eyes closed and felt heat rush to my face.

"Okay." He dragged the word out, clearly trying to figure me out.

Clearing my throat, I said, "I need to rent a suit for a wedding on the twenty-seventh. I know that doesn't give me much time. Is that something you can help me with?"

His expression immediately lost its hard edge, his hands dropping to his sides. "Oh. Yeah, I can help you find a suit." I tried not to fidget under his thoughtful gaze. Hazel Eyes crossed one arm over his stomach, leaning the other elbow on it, pressing his fingers against his lower lip as he studied me. "You're pretty average. We most likely have something in stock that'll fit you well-enough to tailor easily."

I huffed out a laugh. "I don't know whether to feel relieved or insulted."

"What?" he said, looking genuinely confused, but then his gorgeous eyes popped wide open. "I didn't mean… I meant your size looks average." When I dipped my chin and laughed some more, he rushed to say, "Not that size! I'm sure you're very well-off in that department." I whipped my head up, caught his frantic stare for a second, then proceeded to crack up. His cheeks flushed in embarrassment, but he laughed along with me. "Trust me, you don't look average"—those eyes scanned the length of my body, making every single hair stand on end—"by any means." His eyes traveled back up and froze, as if he'd realized the trip his gaze had just taken and the words he'd dropped along the way. Laughing nervously, he rubbed his palms together and shook his head. "What I meant to say is?—"

The bells above the door jingled, alerting us to someone walking through the door carrying a bag and two bottles of water. "Hello." The older man gave me a professional smile then looked at the guy who'd been helping me. "Unless you need me out here, son, I'm going to eat my sandwich."

Tension flexed the younger guy's jaw. He took a deep breath in through his nose then gave the man a tight smile. "Got it under control, Lloyd." Either it was my imagination or there was some tension between the two of them. At least on the younger guy's side.

To be honest, the older man seemed oblivious to the other employee's tightened expression. "Very well." He gave me a nod and his professional smile again and walked around us to the back of the store.

"Anything in particular in mind for the suit?" Hazel Eyes arched one perfectly shaped brow and that scrutinizing gaze perused my entire body again.

I shifted my stance, trying not to make it too obvious that he was having an effect on me. "Nope. Just need one that fits and can be ready by the twenty-seventh."

"Really? So, if I pull…say…"—he strode over to the center of the store, his arm outstretched toward a particularly loud suit on a display torso, the gold flowers bright against the deep purple background—"this one, you'll be fine with that?"

"Uh… I don't think…"

His serious expression broke with a blinding smile. "I didn't think so." His eyes settled on my neck. "Not that I don't think you can pull it off. That shade of plum would be stunning against your deep bronze tan." He cleared his throat and motioned over to the far wall of suits, their colors ranging in shades of neutrals. "I'm guessing those are more your speed?"

I breathed out a sigh of relief and laughed nervously. "I mean, I think those suits are incredible. Whoever designed them definitely has a creative mind and loves to make an unforgettable entrance. Like…I'm here! Let the party begin! kind of statement. I'm more of a blend into the crowd, Was Enzo even here? kind of whisper. You know?" Did he know? Because if he did, maybe he could explain to me what the hell I was even going on about. Fuck, this guy made me nervous.

Hazel Eyes laughed. "It's amazing how easy it is to get someone to tell me what they want by suggesting something bold." He started walking over to the wall of suits and I followed. "I'm the designer who likes to make an unforgettable entrance, by the way."

"Seriously? You designed them?"

"You sound surprised."

"No, I just figured they were mass manufactured or something. I don't really know how it works. Those things would sell like crazy in a boutique in LA." I looked back over my shoulder, studying the designs with new eyes. "You're really fucking talented." Heat flooded my face like flowing lava. I normally had a little more class than throwing an F-bomb in the middle of a conversation with someone I didn't know. Usually, I was in complete control of my motor skills, too, but the display of bow ties I'd just bumped into begged to differ. Thankfully, I managed to keep the thing standing without knocking a single silk tie onto the floor. When I turned my attention back to him, my breath caught with the intensity of his stare. "Sorry."

"That was one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me about my designs. Thank you." His smooth, golden tan skin slowly tinted with pink. Finally, it was his turn to be flustered.

"If that's true, the people around here wouldn't know creativity if it hit them in the Degas."

His melodic laugh sent a shiver down my spine. "The S is supposed to be silent."

"Yeah, well, I'm lucky I pulled that name out of my Deg-ass to begin with."

He laughed again, his eyes lighting up beneath long, dark lashes. I had to bite my tongue so as not to blurt out what a beautiful man he was. As if I'd ever had the guts to tell a man that? Besides, that wasn't why I was here. My life was already confusing enough. Hence the need to leech onto my aunt and uncle as soon as they suggested I go with them to spend Christmas in Coral Pointe with Burke.

The silence that stretched on became awkward, until Hazel Eyes said, "I need to take your measurements. Then I can see what we have that'll work for you."

"Right. That makes sense. Where do you want me?" I froze. "I mean so you can take my inches—measurements! Take my measurements. For the suit. For fuck's sake," I groaned and hung my head, scrubbing my hand over my face.

The laugh that left him that time echoed around the store. "You've definitely made my day more interesting than it was, Enzo."

I lifted my head. "You know my name?"

"Uh, did you forget the whole"—he shook his hands in front of him—"Was-Enzo-even-here whisper from five minutes ago?"

"Right. That." I'd blushed so many times since I walked in the door, I was convinced it was going to be a permanent fixture on my face.

Hazel Eyes shook his head but didn't mask his amusement. "Come on, smooth talker. Get your Deg-ass up those steps so I can measure you. I have a client coming in for an appointment in thirty minutes."

I took orders and walked up three steps to a raised level with mirrors. He grabbed a measuring tape off a nearby shelf and brought it over to me. "Okay, keep your arms down against your body." He held the tape in both hands then stepped in close and brought the tape measure over my head. His intoxicating scent—a blend of spice and some kind of floral—flooded my nose and I sucked in a breath. Big hazel eyes latched onto mine for a heartbeat, but then he continued with what he was doing. He brought the tape measure around my arms to my chest and took his first measurement, noting it in a pad next to him. The next measurement was similar except this time the tape went under my arms. His fingers held the tape against my chest, making it hard for me to breathe from the contact.

The next measurement wrapped around my waist, right above the waistband of my jeans. I sucked in a breath, but those gorgeous eyes met mine again. "Relax your muscles so I get an accurate read." I released a puff of air, my stomach inflating to its normal position and pressing against his fingers. He jotted that number down then went to one knee in front of me. Do not pop wood while he's down there, Enzo. Guaranteed, that would be a wrong measurement if my dick didn't behave.

He pressed the top of the measuring tape to my inner thigh, just shy of making contact with my junk. No Joey Tribbiani situation here, unfortunately. Jesus, did I actually want the guy to cop a feel like that pervy tailor on Friends? Yes, yes I did. And wasn't that a new low? The poor guy didn't even know the things running through my head. Like the fact that I had no problem blurting that my cousin was gay earlier, but couldn't say I?—

"Done," he said as he stood and jotted the last measurement down. "Why don't you have a seat while I see what we have?"

I went back down the steps, a little shaken from the thoughts that had just raced through my mind. Of course I hadn't revealed anything about myself to him earlier. I'd only said those words out loud to Burke and, more recently, my mom. The latter had been by accident, not by choice, though, and our relationship hadn't been the same since. Not that we had a great one to begin with.

I sat on the dark brown leather couch, my knee bouncing uncontrollably. My heart was pounding, telling me to get the hell out of there, but I couldn't leave without a suit for the wedding.

"Can you try this one on for me? I brought a tie over, too."

I hadn't even noticed Hazel Eyes approach, startling when his voice was suddenly so close. By the look on his face, he sensed the climate in the room had shifted, almost heavy with the thunderstorm raging in my head.

I stood abruptly and took the outfit. "Yeah. Sure." Quickly, I made my escape to the dressing room. The pants were a little long, as were the sleeves of the jacket, but it was a close enough fit for me. Instead of stepping out of the room to show the guy the fit, I briefly opened the door to let him see.

"Well don't you look handsome. Although, it seems a little?—"

"Good. It's good." I cleared my throat as he stared at me in confusion. "I'm only gonna have it on for a few hours."

"But I can take it?—"

I shook my head, laughing nervously. "Seriously, it's fine as is. I'd rather leave with it today and be able to reassure my aunt that I won't be showing up in jeans and a T-shirt. Although, it is a beach wedding and the reception is in a bar, so really, would it be that bad?"

"To wear jeans and a tee to a wedding? Uh, yeah, handsome, it would be that bad." He stepped closer—close enough for me to get a whiff of that damn intoxicating cologne—and said, "Are you sure you don't want me to take the hem of the pants up a little?"

An image of the gorgeous man once again on his knees in front of me hit me like a freight train. "Nope." Well, that came out at a higher pitch than I'd intended. I glanced at my non-existent watch and had an out-of-body experience as I heard myself lie to the man in front of me. "I have to get back to Coral Pointe, anyway. I just realized the time. I'm supposed to help my aunt with…something." Brilliant, Enzo.

The guy's expression changed to one I couldn't quite read. Was he nervous? Upset? "Coral Pointe?"

"Yeah, I'm helping my cousin's friends with their wedding. Their caterer flaked out on them last minute."

He seemed uneasy all of a sudden. "Your gay cousin?"

"Mhmm. Are you okay?" The man had gone from friendly and confident to flustered and nervous in two point two seconds.

"He…wouldn't happen to be named Drake, would he?" All the color drained from his face and he looked like he was going to be sick.

"No." I searched my memory for that name but didn't recall it. "I don't know a Drake. Seriously, are you okay?"

Hazel Eyes let out a relieved breath before forcing a smile. "Yes, of course. Sorry. I just used to know—never mind."

"Okay, then." I gave him a smile as I closed the door again and changed back into my clothes. The next five minutes were a blur as I paid for my rental and waited for him to put it in a garment bag.

"You're all set, Enzo." He walked around the counter and handed me the bag, then walked with me to the door. "I guess I'll be seeing you on the twenty-eighth?"

Right. I had to come back to return the thing. "Yep. I'll see you then."

"Evian."

"What?"

"My name is Evian. Evian Skye." Jesus, this guy made me so damn nervous, I hadn't even asked for his name, instead calling him Hazel Eyes in my head. "My family owns this store, but Evian Skinner, suit designer, has a slightly disturbing ring to it. No need to have skin and suit in the same title. Not exactly the image I'm going for." He closed his eyes, his long lashes resting against his smooth skin, and cringed.

I snorted, remembering my first reaction to seeing the name of the store. "I'll back you up on that one if you need me to."

Evian's eyes fluttered open and I lost my breath again. "Thanks. I'll see you in a week." He winked at me then opened the door, stepping to the side to let me get by.

"See you then." Uncontrollably, I took one last inhale of his cologne and tried to save it to memory to last me the six days until I saw him again.