“So, what now?” Ridley asked.
“Now, we drink more wine,” Cole said with a bright smile.
“And then?”
Cole shrugged. “And then I think you should come to my place next time you have a free evening. You can check out my hobbies and take a look inside my closet. We’ll see what kinds of colors and styles catch your eye before we go shopping for a new wardrobe. Sound good?”
“I don’t know. Do I get to see your underwear too?” Ridley joked.
Cole fluttered his lashes playfully. “You can see them right now if you want.” He tucked his thumb and forefinger under his waistband, tugging up a scrap of turquoise fabric.
Ridley laughed, pushing Cole toward the door before he could think too long about that silky-looking fabric. Had that been briefs or — dear God — a thong? It was something sexy. And that just highlighted their vast differences. Cole was the kind of guy who would wear sexy underwear even when not planning to have sex with a guy, when no one would see it, just because he liked to dress sexy. Unless, of course, Cole had a hot date when he left.
“So, uh, how long do you want to hang out?” Ridley asked as they headed for the kitchen and the remainder of the pink Moscato that Cole brought over.
“As long as you can put up with me,” Cole said. “I don’t have any plans.”
Yep. Cole was sexy for the sake of being sexy. Meanwhile, Ridley hadn’t even mastered the concept of being sexy for the guy he wanted most in the world. It was time he got with the program.
They refilled their wine glasses and made their way to the sofa, where they settled a few inches apart. They had to stay relatively close because the third cushion was still piled with clothes. By all the colors, Cole would have guessed they were Ronnie’s even if Ridley hadn’t explained whose mess it was.
Cole took the opportunity to ask Ridley a few more questions about what he might want out of his makeover.
He shifted, placing an elbow on the back of the sofa, and looked at Ridley. He was clean-shaven when he’d come to the salon, but Ridley hadn’t shaved in a day or two, and Cole highly approved of the stubble. It gave Ridley an edge that had been missing.
“So, what would you like to change to about yourself?” Cole asked. “As far as appearances go.”
Ridley glanced sidelong at him. “Um, isn’t that what you’re going to help me figure out?”
“Sure, but part of this needs to come from you. I can’t just dress you up in clothes like mine and call it a day. That wouldn’t be right for you.”
Ridley’s eyes lingered on Cole’s chest. “Guess I can’t pull off suspenders.”
“It’s not so much, can you, as would you want to?” Cole said. “Tell me: What do you want out of this?”
“I just want to make an impression. I want Jace to look at me and see a man, not his old, geeky friend. I want him to see what could be, you know?”
“But let’s forget Jace for a minute,” Cole said. If only they could forget Jace for longer, Cole would be happy to show this cute guy his worth. “What about what you want for you?”
“Umm.”
“I’m just saying that we want to find clothes that fit the man, not make the man fit the clothes.”
Ridley nodded along. “I get it. I guess ... it’d be nice to have clothes for a night out. Something that might make me feel more attractive. I just don’t know what that is.” He rolled his eyes. “As if clothes could do that.”
Cole bit his lip to resist the urge to tell Ridley how appealing he could be to the right guy. He already didn’t like Jace because if it took a makeover for him to see Ridley’s value he couldn’t be the brightest guy. But Ridley obviously had some self-esteem issues. Buying some new clothes, clothes that fit him better and made him feel attractive could help his confidence. That was the real reason Cole was helping, not the oblivious Jace.
“Clothes can definitely showcase your best features,” Cole said. “We can get you outfitted for a night out.”
They drank more wine, and Cole sensed Ridley was done talking about clothes and was amazed he’d lasted as long as he had. Not able to drive after another glass of wine, Cole suggested a movie.
Ridley picked up the remote. “Oh! They relaunched Mystery Science Theater 3000,” he said.
Cole laughed, charmed by his excitement. “No kidding?”
Ridley made a face. “But that’s probably not your thing. We could look for some ... uh, reality TV?”
“Wow, you think highly of me,” Cole joked. “Turn on Mystery Science Theater. I want to see it.”
Ridley looked skeptical, but he turned it on and while the previews played, he topped off their glasses with the last of the wine.
They laughed at the bad science fiction and the jokes being made by the show’s narrators, as well as making some of their own.
“But does my ass look big in this?” Ridley asked as a Godzilla-type creature turned to look behind it.
Cole snickered, falling into Ridley’s side. They were both still giggling like a couple of idiots when the front door opened and Ridley’s sister stepped in, followed by the infamous Jace.
Ronnie and Jace entered the room with boxes of leftovers in their hands, jostling each other and joking loudly.
Until they saw Cole.
Jace trailed off, eyebrows raised, as Ronnie’s eyes darted between them.
“Are we interrupting something?” she asked.
“No!” Ridley exclaimed, jumping up from the sofa, face burning. “No, this is Cole. He’s ... um...”
“Just a friend,” Cole said, saving Ridley from more fumbling. Smiling brightly, Cole stood up to greet them. “You’re Ronnie, and you’re Jace. I’ve heard about you both.”
“Hi,” Jace said uncertainly. His eyes skated from Cole’s hair — his faux hawk had held up well over the course of the evening, but he was a pro after all — to his bow tie to his shorts. “How do you know Ridley?”
Ridley’s mind was still broadcasting white noise when Cole answered. He didn’t want Jace to know about the makeover. God, he hated that word. Luckily, Cole seemed to understand that without being told, and he threw out a vague but plausible story.
“I’m a hairstylist,” he said. “The salon owner has a brother who works up at the hospital with Ridley. Small world, huh?”
“Very,” Jace said. “I’m gonna grab a beer. Anyone else want one?” His eyes went to the empty wine bottle and two glasses. “Guess you two have had enough.”
“Yeah, we’re good,” Ridley said.
“Grab me one,” Ronnie called.
She watched until Jace was in the kitchen, then turned wide eyes on Ridley. “This is your hairstylist?”
Ridley glanced at Cole, whose polite smile was looking strained. “Um, yeah.”
“That’s fun,” she said before turning and mouthing “wow” in Ridley’s direction.
“I should be going,” Cole said.
“Oh, don’t leave on our account,” Ronnie said. “We can make ourselves scarce if you two want to be alone.”
Cole chuckled. “Nah, I should go before the wine puts me to sleep.”
“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” Jace asked as he returned. “I’ve seen some messy accidents.”
“Jace is a paramedic,” Ridley explained for Cole’s benefit.
“I’m really okay. We finished that wine about an hour ago.”
Ridley walked Cole to the door, aware of two sets of eyes watching them. He felt like a middle-schooler on a date with his parents watching. Which was ridiculous because this hadn’t been a date.
But if it had been, it would have been the best date Ridley ever had.
“Thanks for all your help,” Ridley murmured. “Sorry if this is awkward.”
Cole enveloped him in a hug. “No worries,” he said in Ridley’s ear. “Maybe he’ll see what he’s missing, right?”
Cole drew back without waiting for an answer and brushed his fingers over Ridley’s jaw. “I like the
scruff. You should keep it.”
“Yeah?” Ridley’s chest warmed as his face did the same. “Thanks.”
When he turned from closing the door, Ronnie and Jace were staring at him from the sofa.
“What?”
“Friends? Really?” Jace asked skeptically.
Ridley’s heart lurched. Shit. If Jace thought he was into Cole, that wouldn’t help matters. “Yeah, friends. Really.”
“He was H-O-T hot,” Ronnie exclaimed.
“I thought buff body builder types were your thing,” he protested.
Ronnie grinned. “I can appreciate beautiful men in all shapes and sizes, and that man was beautiful.”
“If you like bow ties,” Jace muttered.
“It’s called fashion,” Ronnie said, swatting Jace’s arm. “You wouldn’t know it if it bit you in the ass.”
Ridley had never given it a lot of thought, but he realized Ronnie was right. Jace wore jeans and T-shirts every bit as often as Ridley did. He filled out his clothes better, with a bulkier body he kept in shape at the gym, but otherwise, their look wasn’t that different.
Was updating his wardrobe a mistake? If he started wearing colorful pants and silk scarves, would Jace roll his eyes when he saw him? That was the opposite of what Ridley wanted.
If you don’t buy clothes, you won’t have any reason to hang out with Cole.
Ridley thought Cole might make a good friend. They’d had a lot of fun just hanging out, and Cole — as sophisticated as he seemed — was down to earth enough to watch and enjoy bad science fiction with him. He hadn’t laughed at Ridley’s Legos or even once made him feel silly for being himself.
He’d tread carefully with the makeover. Make sure he didn’t overdo it. But he couldn’t just call Cole and say thanks but no thanks after he’d given up his night to help Ridley.
Jace tipped up his beer bottle, taking a long swallow. “So, wanna play a game or what?”
Ronnie got up. “That’s my cue to go to bed. Have fun, boys.”
“Night,” Ridley called as he joined Jace on the sofa and turned on his game system. “I swear you just use me for my Xbox One.”
“And free beer,” Jace said, nudging him playfully.
“I would have thought you’d gotten plenty to drink while out with Ronnie.”
“Nah. I have an early shift,” he said. “We just had dinner and a movie. You should have come.”
“Sorry. I made plans with Cole earlier this week, so I couldn’t.”
Jace grunted. “Is my BFF status being revoked?”
He tried to sound teasing, but Ridley could hear the thread of uncertainty in his voice. Ridley shook his head, secretly pleased that Jace cared enough — even if it was just as a friend — to get the tiniest bit jealous.
“Dude, the word forever is right there in the expression. Best friends forever. You’re stuck with me.”
Jace grinned, making Ridley’s heart flutter. “That’s a relief,” he said, tossing an arm around Ridley’s shoulders. “I can’t lose my wingman.”
And … the flutters were gone. Resigned to staying in the friend zone, at least for the night, Ridley picked up his controller. “Come on, let’s play.”
10
Ridley walked into Cole’s apartment the following week and stopped short, staring. The room was an explosion of color. Headdresses hung from hooks along the side of a doorway to the kitchen. Decorations — strings of colored beads, fake flowers in varied colors and types, and other odds and ends including a miniature bird cage — covered the walls, the sofa, and the coffee table. A glue gun and wire cutters sat to one side of a half-finished headdress with a large lily, baby’s breath, and a tiny red bird worked in around a wire frame.
“Whoa,” Ridley said, his eyes struggling to take in all the detail. Once you got past the mess of art supplies, there was still more bold, vibrant decor to see: a hand-painted drama mask hung on one wall, a wind chime made of glass dragonflies was suspended from the fan, and the one chair available for sitting was draped with a silky, teal cover.
It was beautiful in a loud, colorful way — just like Cole.
“I know. It’s messy. Sorry!” Cole said, his voice going up an octave. Ridley noticed Cole got extra trilly when nervous.
“No, it’s so you.”
“What, messy?” Cole asked, a cute wrinkle forming between his brows.
Ridley waved a hand. “Artsy. Colorful.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Cole laughed. “My hobby got out of hand.”
“Do you do theater then?”
“No,” he said. “I’m not exactly leading man material.”
Ridley turned his eyes from the flowers and beads to Cole’s fine-featured face. His blue eyes stood out, vivid as always. Maybe because Cole’s hair and skin were so light and his lashes so dark and thick. His lips were full, his cheekbones high and prominent. “You’re good-looking!”
Cole laughed. “Thanks? But I’m not swoony. I’d never be believable as a straight guy, and I have too much presence for a minor role.”
Ridley cocked his head, trying to picture Cole as some extra: a little old man or a nameless soldier. Yeah, no way Cole could ever blend into the background. “You do have charisma.”
Cole snorted, lifting a hand to cover his mouth. “I’m full of shit. I can’t act to save my life.”
“Are you a drag queen then?” Ridley asked, trying to put all the headdresses into context.
Cole raised one thin, perfectly arched brow. “Would it be a problem if I was?”
“No.” Ridley felt heat climbing into his face. “I’ve never met a drag queen, but I’m sure you must make a lovely one.”
Cole nodded thoughtfully. “I would. But no, I just make headdresses. Now I feel boring.”
“Ha!” Ridley said. “As if. I’m the boring one. Hence the makeover. You’re obviously artistic and crafty. I’m jealous.”
Cole smiled. It was a softer, more genuine smile than Ridley had seen before. “You’re sweet. And selling yourself short. Those Lego masterpieces of yours are crafty in their own way.”
Ridley had never thought of Lego-building as an art. But he had seen some truly phenomenal creations online. Maybe Cole had a point, even though Lego-building was more methodical and practical than artistic.
Cole turned, waving a hand. “Come to the closet.”
“I know I wanted a makeover but going into the closet might be a bit much,” Ridley deadpanned.
Cole laughed, tilting his head back to look at Ridley through his lashes. “You’re funny.” He batted his eyes and purred, “I love a man who can make me laugh.”
Ridley flushed. “Shut up.”
Cole smirked, pinching his cheek. “Such cute blushes too.”
Before Ridley could respond, he whirled and charged into his bedroom and threw open the closet door. “Time to play!”
Ridley, dressed in blue jeans and a loose T-shirt, looked terrified when he saw the contents of Cole’s closet. Bright colors, sequins, slinky silks, and even some lacy things crowded the rack, and underneath was a jumble of shoes, everything from Chucks to knee-high boots.
Cole grabbed a pair of maroon jeans off the hanger. Well, they looked like jeans but were made of a stretchy, clingy material that made them a cross between jeans and tights. Holding them up against Ridley’s waist, he eyed him.
Hmm, not bad, but he wasn’t sure if Ridley was ready for maroon. Maybe a dark green ...
“Uh, those will never fit me,” Riley said. “Also, they’re very red.”
Cole flicked up his eyes, hands still pressing the pants against Ridley’s waist. “I’m just visualizing, sweetie. We’ll buy you clothes in your own size. And hello? They’re maroon, and I own them, so they’re fabulous!”
“Sorry,” Ridley mumbled, shifting uncomfortably.
Cole drew back. “Take off your shirt.”
To his amusement, Ridley jerked his arms up across his chest like a shy virgin. “Why?”
“I want to s
ee what I’m working with. Pants too, down to your undies.”
“No way,” Ridley said quickly, backing up a step and hitting the bed. He promptly fell onto his butt, bouncing once. “I can’t.”
Cole wasn’t sure if he should be offended by Ridley’s modesty. “Is it me? I know I’m flirty, but this is strictly business.” He drew an X over his heart with one finger. “I solemnly swear not to molest you.”
With my hands. My eyes are another matter.
Ridley chewed his bottom lip. “It’s just, I’m probably not what you usually see. You’re so... you probably date really hot men. And, um, I don’t manscape or anything.”
Aw, he was so precious. Ridley needed a major self-esteem overhaul. In some ways, Cole and Ridley weren’t so different. Anita gave Cole hell for undervaluing his self-worth, too, although in his case, it was less about his physical appearance and more about the way he let people treat him.
He should work on himself, but it was a heck of a lot easier to focus on Ridley. He was determined to show Ridley the gem waiting to be polished under those clothes.
“You overestimate my fabulousness,” he said. “And besides, this is a makeover. If you want to wax, we can add it to the list. But between you and me, a hairy man is sexy! A little grooming is nice, yes, but—”
“Okay,” Ridley blurted. “Just don’t talk about it. No comments on my body.”
“Consider me your makeover doctor. I’m here to help, not judge.”
Ridley raised his hands and began to unbutton. Cole turned back to the closet to make him more comfortable. He flicked through shirts, picking out a few different colors and styles: button-downs in lavender, pink, and peach; a dark blue T-shirt with a rainbow print splashed across it; and a few patterned and striped shirts. He could have taken Ridley directly to a few shops to do this, but he liked having a more intimate setting to get a feel for what worked before they started hitting dressing rooms. He had a feeling Ridley would be overwhelmed by the vast selection and public attention of a salesperson. He definitely wouldn’t be able to strip Ridley to get a better idea of his body. And Cole might have eyes and like men in all shapes and sizes, but this wasn’t about that. He wanted to see the clay he was about to mold.
Operation Makeover Page 7