It isn’t something I haven’t thought about, but I don’t want to take over Nate’s space with my stuff. He has a bonus room upstairs that has so much natural lighting and a huge picture window overlooking his backyard. When I first walked into the room, something that he had been using for a man cave type game room, I couldn’t help but think of what a perfect space it would be to set up my easel and get lost.
His property is set away from the road, gated and secluded. When you stand in that room and look out the window, all you can see is the beautiful woods, the small creek, and the birds flying around. The trees aren’t heavy back there, not like they are around the sides and front of his property, so the sun just gives a shadowed grayness to the land.
I’ve already decided that I would be painting it soon. My phone was quickly filling up with various angles and images from his woods and property in general.
“I’m here!”
All three of us turn when Stella comes bursting into the kitchen, where we have currently set up command central to get me ready for the show tonight. She rushes into the room and I notice that she’s empty-handed, making what nerves I had been able to settle pick back up.
“Uh,” I start.
“It’s coming. I had a tagalong that I just couldn’t shake when it was discovered where I was headed.”
That’s when I notice the heavy clicks of heels against the floor. There is only one person I know who takes that heavy of a step when in heels.
Sway.
Or Dilbert ‘Sway’ Harrison III.
He’s not only one-half of Stella’s fathers, as in plural, but he also owns the very popular salon, Sway’s, that my sister, Dani, and Stella work at. He’s gotten a lot of hype after the reality show aired a few years ago, Sway All the Way, and things just keep getting bigger and bigger for him and the girls at the salon.
But more importantly, he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to fashion. I’ve known him my whole life and never thought anything but the best of the man who rocked designer fashions better than anyone else did. I’ve seen pictures of him from before all of our parents had kids, and this has always been him. Back then, he was always rocking a long blond wig, but these days, he has it shaped into a shoulder-length stylized mess of wavy curls.
Just because he’s a gay man who prefers the tight clothing from the women’s section doesn’t mean he can’t pull off jeans and a tee shirt from his husband’s closet too. He just has it all.
“Looking good, Sway,” Dani calls over my shoulder, and she isn’t wrong.
He has on some tight flare-legged black pants with a white button-down shirt tucked into his trim waist. He used to be a little overweight, but nowadays, he’s trimmed up and put on some muscle. Instead of his normal blond locks, though, he has his natural shaved black hair on display, something I know that even though he usually has covered up, he takes great pains to make sure his grays don’t ever show.
“Of course, Sway does, darlin’. Would you expect any less?”
“I suppose not.” She giggles.
“What are you wearing?” He gasps and continues to look at Dani.
“Uh … clothes?”
“Those,” he puffs, “are not clothes and should be thrown out immediately. What have I told you about hiding that luscious body?”
“I know, I know, but give it a rest today. I was in a rush, and Owen spilled his breakfast on me, so I just threw something on. I’m going home to change when I finish her hair.”
“You had better be,” he fusses.
“And you,” he says to me with a smile. “I have the best dress ever for you. Tight and black, but covers everything from shoulders to knees. I even have a gold shawl if you decide that bare arms aren’t what you want. Finish that up with some gold heels that are just marvelous. I knew you wouldn’t want something too flashy, even if flashy is my middle name, even though you should show off that body too. I’ll let it pass tonight because you should flatter your art and not overshadow it with your beauty. So hurry up so Sway can get you all beautified for tonight.”
I don’t get a chance to talk because his face lights up and he starts bouncing in his spot.
“Oh! And now, tell me all about the hunky prince who owns this house. I always knew with parents as striking as Axel and Izzy that boy would be a jaw dropper. Even as a baby he was just the most handsome thing in the world, I tell you. Just the sweetest face, like his mama. But it was his daddy and those brawny, mouthwatering muscles that I knew would win out with his only son. That jaw, my lord. And his hair. I’ve been itching to get my hands on him for way too long, oh yes, I have. Tell Sway everything, if you know what I mean.” He finishes with a dreamy sigh and drops into the seat in front of me, pushing Maddi out of the way. “I bet he is a dream in bed!”
“Oh my God, Sway! I’m going to puke!” Dani whines, making a gagging noise.
“Something is wrong with you,” Maddi snaps and nudges him out of the way with her hip.
Sway continues to wag his brows at me, and I have to fight to keep my giggles in. I just give him a wink and hope that’s enough to keep him quiet while Dani and Maddi finish my hair and makeup.