Facade

very Nicky Bryant.”
    “Did you hear that, Maia?” Nicky asked, raising his voice to draw the women’s attention. “Jonas likes my suit.” Jonas thought he looked like a ten-year old boy for a moment.
    “Of course he does,” Maia answered. “You’re wearing it, and he loves everything you design or wear.” She threw Jonas a proud look anyway.
    “I think you should say something to the girls, and then it’s about time we let the public in,” Tanna announced as she let go of Maia.
    “So, you think I look presentable?” Nicky asked, taking a deep breath in.

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    Jonas wiped a speck of dust off Nicky’s chest where, on a traditional suit, there would be a lapel. “Knock ’em dead.” Nicky winked at Jonas and turned around, walking determinedly in the direction of the front counter. In those few steps, Jonas saw Nicky transform from his lover into the eccentric and over-the-top fashion designer the outside world knew and expected to see. The shop girls were suitably impressed and probably more than a little nervous.
    “My darlings,” Nicky announced. “Clients are a necessary evil. They usually fall into one of two categories. Either they are demanding and difficult because they expect to pay a lot of money and so want an equivalent standard of service, or they are totally in awe of me and will do anything and pay anything to be allowed to wear my creations. In either case, we need to treat them with respect. You are my minions, and your behavior reflects directly on me, so treat my clients well and show them how Nicky Bryant does business, and you’ll have a long and fruitful career in my shop.” He turned around and faced Tanna. “What do you think?
    Ready to rock’n’roll?”
    Nicky walked outside, flanked by Tanna and Maia. Through the open door, Jonas could see the flash of light bulbs and heard the noise level rise instantly, but he remained inside, discreetly in the shadows as always. He would avoid the public eye, ever present when Nicky needed him but otherwise invisible. He liked it that way, preferring to be Nicky’s refuge rather than his partner in crime.
    He didn’t want to share Nicky’s spotlight, although Nicky had offered to walk out together. This was Nicky’s night, and he knew Nicky would enjoy every minute of it.
    The large sheet that covered the shop front came down after a small tug of Nicky’s hand, revealing the inside of the shop to the outside world for the first time. Nicky spoke to the journalists in English, French, and Italian and introduced interior designer Andrea Moretti as if they were best friends, conveniently forgetting the many conflicts that had arisen while the shop was being conceived.

    Façade
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    All the screaming young girls standing outside in the street got what they came for as many famous names, including a handful of older and younger socialites, and many a big name in fashion made an appearance. They were closely followed by several rock stars and a few world famous actors. Nicky greeted them all as if they were long lost friends rather than just there to grab the exposure; all for appearances’ sake, of course. Although it didn’t surprise Jonas, he was still in awe of Nicky’s stamina and acting talent.
    The party lasted long into the night, but as people drifted back to the other side of town to continue their partying in the night clubs, Nicky pulled Jonas into the small room at the back that served as the coffee room for the shop girls.
    “I missed you, missed touching you,” Nicky said as he pulled Jonas closer. “You know these public appearances make me randy as hell.”
    “Oh, I know,” Jonas replied calmly. “As soon as we’re somewhere private, I’ll help you out with that.”
    “Want it now,” Nicky demanded.
    “Patience, angel.”
    Nicky raised an eyebrow. “Did you forget who you’re talking to?” He tried to look stern and serious, but failed, at least in Jonas’s eyes, since Jonas knew Nicky all too well.
    Jonas leaned closer so he could whisper in Nicky’s ear. “In an hour or two, I’ll take you home and I’ll fuck you so hard you’ll be sore for days.”
    Nicky licked his lower lip.
    “We have something to celebrate,” Jonas continued, taking the envelope from the doctor’s office from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
    “My results?”
    Jonas nodded.
    “All good?”

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    “I didn’t open the envelope yet, but the doc called to say everything was the