Read Online Knight of Ocean Avenue by Tara Lain - Free Book Online

could do their own new studio without his investment. “Trouble in la-la land—I hope?”
    “Of course not. He’s just impatient.”
    Ru snorted. “And deaf.”
    Billy had the tiniest hint of a smile. “Tough to get men to listen, no matter which way they swing, I guess.”
    Shaz threw back his head and laughed. “So true, my dear. So true.” He stepped back, looked at the fitting on the pants, and grabbed the jacket from the hanger. “Button the shirt, darling, so we can try this on.”
    Billy did up the buttons, inch after inch of golden chest disappearing. Sigh. This guy does not need clothes. When the shirt was closed, Shaz held out the jacket, which slipped over those broad shoulders like butter. Perfect.
    Billy looked in the mirror. “Wow.”
    “You see what I mean about tailoring being everything.” He smoothed his hand across the lapel. “Ru, what do you think?”
    “Perfect.” Yes, it is . Ru waved a hand. “I’ll leave you to it.” He walked back into the salon.
    Shaz took hold of the jacket to pull it off, but Billy pulled back. The big man was still staring at his image like he didn’t recognize himself.
    Shaz laughed. “Hold on. There’s more where that came from.” He slid off the suit jacket, then slipped a mauve sport coat up Billy’s arms. “Look.”
    Billy shook his head. “Wow.”
    “You see how you can wear this sport coat with the blue trousers?”
    Billy nodded, still staring.
    Grabbing a pair of pinstriped pants, Shaz held them against the blue suit coat. “And these two things will go together.” He added a pair of jeans he’d chosen. “These can go with the sport coat or—” He pulled a sweater off the rack. “—you can pair the sweater with the jeans or the trousers. Getting the idea?”
    “Yeah.” Billy stared at his reflection with wide eyes.
    Shaz put a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “You like?”
    Billy blinked. “It’s just, I never thought—” He waved a hand down his front.
    “You’re really a great-looking guy, Billy. The clothes just point out what’s true.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Oh, there’s lots more. We need to find shoes that fit, get you a couple pieces of outerwear, and some innerwear.” He laughed. “How are the boxer briefs?”
    Billy shifted from one foot to the other. “They’re fine. But all this stuff must be really expensive.”
    Shaz shrugged. “Mitch can afford it.”
    “Mitch isn’t paying. I am.”
    Son of a bitch, what a knight in shining armor. “Well, you’ll be getting it for less than half price when you pose for me.”
    Billy’s ears turned pink again. “You weren’t serious about that?”
    “Totally, darling. We’ll make you the new face of Shazam.”
    Some war waged behind the blue eyes. “What would I have to do?” He ran a hand over the sport coat. The boy did like nice material. That made two of them.
    “Just show up and we’ll take some pictures. After you’re all styled and the clothes are tailored, okay?”
    “I might not be any good at it.”
    “Don’t worry, you’ll be great.” He pointed toward the dressing room. “Let’s get you a couple outfits ready to go today. The rest will require more extensive tailoring.”
    Billy walked into the curtained space. “Thanks. My family’s pushing hard for me to look better.” He closed the curtain, and Shaz leaned against the wall outside.
    “To impress Sissy?”
    “Among other things.” His voice sounded flat.
    “You don’t seem too excited.”
    “I’m not really great with women. Get beat up enough and you lose your enthusiasm.”
    Shaz grinned. “I must confess, I wouldn’t know. About women, anyway.”
    The curtain opened and Billy stood there in his rumpled jeans, flip-flops, and old T-shirt. He looked down at himself. “I turned back into a caterpillar.”
    Shaz laughed. The guy was so sincere you didn’t expect him to be witty.
    Billy looked up. “Is it the same with guys?”
    “What?”
    “Do you have to kiss so many frogs you