Facade

runway numerous times and going through the portfolios with Tanna, they had narrowed it down to thirty-five models. To Jonas some of them had obvious sex appeal; others he really didn’t care about. Because most of them had that vacant, disinterested look about them, none of them actually “did it” for him. He liked his men with a little more spunk.
    Tanna held out the winners’ portfolios. “Take these, walk through that door over there, up the stairs and show them to Nicky.
    Oh, and take these five as well. I think they’re the runner-ups. I’m sure he’ll veto at least one of those we chose.”
    “So why did we choose him then?” he asked Tanna, who had
    “tease” written all over her face.
    “You’ll see….” She winked and walked out in the direction of the main office.
    Jonas sighed and turned toward the door. Then it suddenly struck him. Had Nicky been watching them all this time? He wanted to burst into the room upstairs but then realized it might save both of them some embarrassment if he just stayed in his role. Nicky was still his client and was paying him handsomely for their week together. He should knock on the door in case Nicky wasn’t alone.

    Façade
    51
    After a curt, “Yes?” he entered and realized he was actually happy to see Nicky sitting at what looked like a sound mixing board, large designs strewn all around him. He looked up at him, his brow furrowed with worry. “So. All done?”
    Jonas nodded. “I didn’t know you were up here.” Nicky held out his hand to take the bunch of folders from Jonas, and to the older man’s considerable surprise, he dropped them on the floor next to his chair.
    “Aren’t you going to look through them?” Jonas asked.
    Nicky shrugged. “Are you happy with your choices?”
    “I’m no expert,” Jonas admitted. He looked at Nicky and saw how tired he was. Would it be too forward of him to suggest that he take Nicky home for some rest? Come to think of it, it was way past noon and they hadn’t eaten yet. After the copious breakfast, Jonas wasn’t surprised he wasn’t really hungry, but knowing that Nicky didn’t eat much even when pressed gave him the perfect excuse to butt in. “Listen, I don’t know what your plans are for today, but you look like you could use a nice quiet lunch and maybe a little nap?
    We haven’t exactly been sleeping much these past few days….”
    “I can’t,” Nicky answered curtly. “I need to pick the models, get word to my choreographer in what order I want them, then tonight I have to approve the set and the lighting for the show, and I have to make an appearance at a party.” Jonas stepped closer to the sound board, careful not to tread on any of the designs, and peered through the large window that looked down on the room below. There wasn’t much he could say, except that it didn’t look like he was needed any more today. Of course he couldn’t just walk out; it was Nicky’s place to dismiss him.
    Suddenly he felt the young man’s arms snake under his and around his chest. “I must admit your idea sounds nice,” Nicky whispered in his ear.
    Jonas covered Nicky’s hands with his and leaned into the touch. “We can compromise. We’ll look through the portfolios really quickly and you tell Tau who you want, then I’ll take you to 52
    Zahra
    Owens
    this nice bistro a friend of mine owns for some delicious food. It’ll be quiet there now, since lunch hour is more than over, and….”
    “I only have one objection to your choice of models,” Nicky cut in.
    Jonas smiled. Nicky hadn’t looked at the folders he’d brought in, which meant he’d been watching them. “Tanna said you would.”
    “Don’t you think Josh is a little past his prime? He rarely does runway shows any more, wants to make it as an actor.” The mockery in Nicky’s tone when he said that last phrase wasn’t lost on Jonas.
    “He fits the bill, Nicky. You wanted butch guys, not sissies.
    He walks the walk and talks the talk.”
    “Yeah, and fucks the arse and then tells everyone who wants to hear that he’s straight!”
    So Nicky had a history with one of the models. Jonas felt Nicky pull away. “Go on, you can tell me,” Jonas urged him gently.
    “There’s nothing to tell,” Nicky replied, the disdain in his face not quite hiding the anger. Nicky bent down to gather up the drawings and designs, and Jonas helped him. They didn’t talk, since Jonas wanted to give Nicky the chance to gather his thoughts