Page 63 of The Good Neighbour

Hugh stood at the bottom staring up. He looked incredible in a tight white jumper and jeans. Josh resisted the urge to drag him into the studio and ravish him on the sofa.

“When is it safe?” Hugh asked, pouting.

“This afternoon as arranged,” Josh replied. “Mrs W and the Prof are coming too, as you very well know. Go on with you.”

Hugh nodded. “Okay, I’ll play along.”

“Good.”

“What do you want for dinner?” Hugh asked. “Tonight, I’m going to thank you for doing this by delighting every sense that you have. And some you didn’t realise you had.”

Josh giggled. “I thought I had the regular five like everyone else.”

“Hugh knows better than that.”

“Then I’ll let you surprise me. Now scoot.”

Hugh blew him a kiss and retreated. Josh heard him mutter something to Jean-Paul who appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

“I can’t believe you sent a hot piece of ass like that away,” Jean-Paul said.

“Hey, you,” Josh replied. “That’s my…”

“Your what?”

“Never you mind. Jean-Paul, will you me a favour?”

“Your wish is my command, oh glorious leader.”

“Can you invite Martha and Sidney this afternoon?” Josh asked. “They’ve done so much work for me already and I’ve not met them.”

Jean-Paul straightened up. “I thought they weren’t having anything to do with this. Why do you want them here?”

“Because it’s polite to actually get to know one’s workforce. You can’t have me all to yourself forever.”

Jean-Paul sighed. “Fine. They probably won’t be able to make it at such late notice anyway.”

“I’m sure they won’t be able to resist your inviting nature.”

Jean-Paul stuck his tongue out and marched back into the shop. Josh returned to the studio. The grand unveiling was only a few hours away and he had a shit ton of work to do. With one last glance at the Cut collection, he vowed that he would have to resolve whatever feelings he had toward that another day. Today had to be all about Italian suits and he was more than happy with that.

The afternoon came around and everything was ready. Josh had worked until the sweat poured off his brow. Luckily, he’d remembered to bring a change of clothes. It had been years since he’d slaved this hard over a sewing machine. Excitement had coursed through him as he crafted the costumes. The final versions were amazing. Even if he said so himself.

Whilst he’d changed, he had sent Jean-Paul out for some champagne on the agreement that he could be part of theunveiling. Helga would probably have something to say about them closing the boutique early but their sales assistant drove a hard bargain. Besides, Helga was swanning around Paris visiting designers and being generally spoilt rotten. Jean-Paul should get a little fun too.

Josh came out of the toilet in black trousers and a blue shirt. He wanted to make an effort to show Hugh this really meant something to him.

“Don’t you look smart,” Jean-Paul said.

To Josh’s amazement, Jean-Paul had laid out cold meats, cheeses and other nibbles along with the champagne nestling in an ice bucket. Josh had no idea they even had a wine bucket in the place.

“Wow,” he said.

“Ah, you made the right decision to send a Frenchman to do the shopping,mon ami.”

Josh squeezed his shoulder. Jean-Paul drove him crazy sometimes but his heart was usually in the right place.

Footsteps could be heard.