Page 98 of See My Words

Scott watched as she clicked her car open and tossed her purse inside, then said, “Some family shit. And I’m really, really missing Rylan today.”

She gave him a sympathetic glance. “Any word on when he’ll be back?”

“I heard a rumor about three days, but nothing directly from him. I don’t know.”

“Well, keep your chin up.” She patted his arm. “He’ll call, I know it. And if you need a shoulder to cry on, you know where to find me.”

“I know. Thanks, doll.”

He waited until she drove away before heading for home and a long, hot shower. The bed sheets were icy, so Scott reached for the remote on the nightstand and clicked on the gas fireplace, snuggling under the covers and enjoying the sight of the flames dancing along the walls and ceiling. A lazy snowfall drifted outside the window, white puffy flakes illuminated by the light of the moon.

Scott stretched luxuriously, feeling warm and drowsy, wishing with all his heart he had Rylan in his arms to enjoy this, too. He rolled onto his side and heaved a ragged sigh. The next three days would be the longest of his life.

* * *

“So you have two catering clients coming in this morning, and then if you could possibly come back to help with the lunch rush, that’d be wonderful.”

“You got it.” Scott took the folders Barb handed him with a smile and flipped through them briefly before heading over to the chapel to meet the first couple. He was a little early, so he slowed his pace, glancing into the windows of the various galleries and shops as he walked. The people working inside waved to him when they saw him, and a couple of them even poked their heads out to say hello.

“How’s the new business going?” he was asked several times, and a quiet thrill went through him when he was able to reply, “Awesome, thanks. The early response has been great.”

As he drew near the chapel, Scott became aware of the sound of heels tapping on the cobblestone walkway, and he turned to see Dawn striding gracefully toward him. She was wearing a black sheath dress topped by a khaki-colored trench coat, her hair in an elegant twist.

“You look amazing,” he told her, and she smiled at him, shifting the strap of her messenger bag from one shoulder to the other.

“Thanks. So do you. But then again, you’d look amazing in a potato sack.” Her tone was full of fond envy.

Scott glanced down at himself, at his black slacks and royal-blue dress shirt, his leather jacket.

“It still feels weird to be going to work fully clothed,” he confessed, and she cracked up.

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure.”

Scott let her precede him into the chapel, thinking he really hadn’t been joking with that remark. He was about to walk into a meeting room to face people who could give two shits about his abs, and it was weird knowing his professional success wouldn’t hinge anymore on how his ass looked in a tight pair of underwear. What if the new clients were doctors, or lawyers? What if they were biochemists or some shit? The minute he opened his mouth, they’d realize he was just a dumb hick playing dress-up…

The same old anxiety was starting to bubble through him when all of a sudden Dawn stopped and grabbed his arm.

“Hey, do you get as nervous about this kind of stuff as I do?” she hissed. “I don’t have a fancy fashion degree, and I’ve never even been out of Arizona. What if they think I’m just a silly wannabe?”

Scott was startled at how their thoughts seemed to be mirroring each other, and he struggled with what to say. He stared at her, at her beautiful face and earnest eyes, realizing in that moment what a good friend she’d become. Then the words came easily. “They won’t. Because you have passion, talent, and enthusiasm, not to mention you’re a wonderful, caring person. All you need to do is go in there and be yourself. If that’s not enough for them,” he added firmly, “then too bad. We don’t need ’em.”

Dawn flushed with pleasure, and she held her fist out for a knuckle bump. “Thanks. And fuck yeah, we’re awesome.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “We’re gonna kill this.” With that, she turned and marched off toward the chapel conference room.

Scott lingered, feeling the last remnants of his own insecurity smoldering and waiting for the chance to flare back to life. He heaved a sigh, impatient with himself. Breaking out of a comfort zone wasn’t easy, but he’d done it. Now instead of being surrounded by negativity and people who valued him only for his looks—a fucking accident of genetics—he had friends who actually cared about his thoughts and feelings, his hopes and dreams, ones who openly struggled with the same things he did…in Pedro’s case, a painful past, and in Dawn’s, anxiety about being good enough. They were human, they let Scott be human, and they liked him anyway. Hell, Rylan loved him, and that was the best thing of all.

So take your own advice, idiot. Go into that meeting, and be yourself. That’s all you can do.

And if that wasn’t enough for other people, fuck ’em. It was starting to be enough for him.

* * *

“You signed them both?” Barb’s voice was high-pitched with excitement. “Really?”

Scott grinned. “Yep, really. And Dawn did, too. Two wedding dress commissions!” He handed Barb the folders full of paperwork.

“Oh my God. You’re both amazing!”

Barb hugged Dawn and then him before practically dancing to her office.