Page 169 of A Quick Buck

“We could always go shopping if you’d like.”

“You said I can go get my stuff in a few days, right?”

“I did,” Alistair confirmed.

“Then I can wait. I want my stuff. Like my red Gucci shorts, my Chanel belt, all my Nordstrom shirts…”

“Message received, dear boy. I expect after your manners are more polished, we’ll be working on your materialism.”

“On my what?”

“Your attachment to physical things.”

“What’s wrong with liking nice stuff? You’ve got lots of… stuff.” Noah gestured vaguely around the house. “You’ve got that damn Fabergé bird thing somewhere, right?”

Alistair paused the tape. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of labor from a lifetime of hard work. You’ve had everything handed to you, and not only have you taken it all for granted, you’ve let it spoil you. Worse than that, you’ve allowed it to affect your sense of self-worth.”

Noah flinched. “No, I haven’t.”

“Oh? So, we can leave all of those things at your house, and you won’t mind? I’ve offered already to take you shopping for more.”

“Yeah, where? Wherever you go? The old man store?”

“This suit is Gucci, you brat.”

“I don’t want all new stuff, okay?” Noah sighed. “I do want my things, and yes, they’re important to me because… because I know how much it all cost. Yeah, I appreciate you wanting to take me shopping, and that’s very cool of you… but that stuff still matters to me.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe ’cause it’s all I have.” Noah frowned. “Patrick owns the house. He has all the money, the cars, everything. My clothes? That’s the only thing that’s really mine. I like looking good, I like wearing stuff I know nobody else could ever afford, and it… it makes me feel good.”

“Clothes don’t make the man, Noah.”

“But they damn sure help when he’s a lonely, spoiled brat.” Noah snorted. “My wardrobe was one of the only things I ever really took pride in, you know?”

“I understand that, and I hope our time together, however brief it’s been, has shown you that there’s much more to you than fancy clothes and a pretty face. You’re clever, bright, passionate, and I believe you have the potential to do just about anything with your life that you’d like.”

“You mean that?” Noah’s heart fluttered.

“I do.” Alistair rubbed Noah’s arm. “I have so much more that I can teach you, and I’m very proud of how far you’ve come already. Your manners and your poise have improved significantly, and they’re as important, if not more so, than whose name is embroidered on your underwear.”

“I might need you to keep telling me all that. And the stuff about me being bright and passionate? That too. And I mean, a lot.”

“I plan to tell you as often as you need to hear it.” Alistair smiled and kissed Noah’s hair. “We will go get your precious clothing soon, I promise. And I hope, one day, you’ll learn how little you actually needed any of it.”

“Thank you.”

“Now!” Alistair clicked play on the remote. “You had best pay attention. I’m expecting you to be able to solve this one.”

“Oh, I’m all over it.” Noah grinned, watching the opening credits roll. “What do I get if I figure it out? Maybe somethin’ really sexy?”

“The better question is what will happen if you don’t.”

“You’re so freakin’ on.”

* * *

A few days came and went, and it was almost a full week before Noah got the okay from Alistair to return home to get his things. Alistair had again offered to let one of his employees take care of it, but Noah wanted to do this himself.