His voice near her ear made her still. "There's a gala in a few weeks."

  Summer blinked, still a little breathless, her fingers curled into his sides. "A gala?"

  Andy nodded, his hands gentle as he turned her around. "One of those glittering things where everyone tries too hard to pretend they're mysterious and fabulous. It's usually boring — unless I find someone to make it interesting." He began unlacing the back of her corset, taking his time. "I can bring a guest this time."

  Summer stood still while Andy's fingers worked at the laces, loosening the pressure bit by bit. She sighed as her ribs expanded again, eyes half-lidded as she leaned into his careful hands. She turned her head slightly, watching him. "Are you... asking me?"

  He tugged the last lacing loose and brushed a kiss to her bare shoulder. "If you want to come. I'd love to show you off." He reached for her hands, threading his fingers through hers. "You don't have to dress like anyone else. You don't have to smile if you don't want to. Just be mine, and I promise I'll make it worth your time."

  Summer's heart fluttered. "I've never been to anything like that."

  Andy nodded, setting the corset aside and moving to his own. "Usually it's patrons only, or solo work. But this one's more social. More... visible. No assignations expected. Just... presence." He looked over at her, lips quirking. "I want you there. If you want to be."

  She bit her lip, watching his hands work the busk on his dark red corset, his pale chest slowly revealed. "You're sure that wouldn't... I don't know, complicate things?"

  "It's already complicated," Andy said with a low laugh. "But no. This is me saying I'd like to show you off. As mine."

  Her cheeks flushed hot. "You're ridiculous."

  "And hopelessly smitten," he agreed, grinning. "So. Will you go with me?"

  Summer hesitated only a second before nodding. "Yes. Just... don't let me trip on anything, okay?"

  Andy laughed, pulling her in. "Never. You'll be the one carrying me out when I faint from how good you look." He let her go after a quick kiss, handing her her shirt.

  Summer tugged her shirt over her head, still a little flushed from their teasing, adjusting the hem as she glanced toward Andy. He sprawled across his bed like a painting, shirtless, lean and lovely, hair falling over one eye. The black leggings clung to him like a second skin, and he wore them like he was born for decadence.

  He cracked open his laptop and glanced up at her with a mischievous glint. "Come here," he said, patting the space beside him. "I want to show you something."

  "You're not even going to pretend to be modest?" she teased, climbing up beside him.

  Andy smirked and propped the laptop on his knees. "Absolutely not. That would ruin my brand." He clicked around a bit, then turned the screen toward her. "Here," he said. "My pinboard. Personas, events — outfit ideas. And a few looks I've never had an excuse to wear."

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Summer blinked at the screen. It showed a carefully curated collection of sharp suits, baroque accessories, fantasy silhouettes, deep jewel tones, shimmering black, crushed velvet, lace, corsets, boots. Every outfit was extra. "This is... absurdly you."

  "I like drama," Andy said, unapologetic. "But I also saved a bunch of ideas for you."

  She made a sound that was half-gasp, half-laugh. "Wait, you have a pinboard for — ?"

  "I said I was well trained," Andy drawled. "This is advanced boyfriend sorcery."

  Her breath caught as he clicked into a different board — darkly romantic gowns, tailored suits with rose-gold threading, a gown that looked like stars trapped in black silk, lace and satin, boots and jewellery. "You think I could wear these?"

  "I think you'd be breathtaking," Andy said, watching her instead of the screen. "But I want you to like what you're in. Not just look like a fantasy — I want you to feel like one."

  "You're going to ruin me for normal dates," she said dryly.

  He just smirked, blue eyes glittering. "That's the plan."

  Summer scrolled, pausing at a midnight blue gown with a dramatic slit and sheer sleeves. "This one... "

  Andy watched her face. "That one? I can find something like it in your size. Or better — have it made."

  She swallowed. "This is... a lot."

  "It is." Andy leaned closer. "But you're allowed to take up space, Summer. You don't have to shrink yourself to fit someone else's expectations. Not with me."

  She turned to look at him fully. "You really think I can pull something like that off?"

  Andy smiled, soft and certain. "You don't have to pull it off. You are it. You're the magic, sweetheart. The clothes just try to keep up."

  Summer kept scrolling, almost overwhelmed by the variety of images. She paused at a shimmering mermaid gown that seemed to shoot light in a thousand directions, the beading almost hypnotic. Then she lingered over a flowing pale gold silk dress that would catch the light like water, and another in deep burgundy velvet, draping over a model's shoulders in a way that made her heart skip.

  "Oh," she breathed.

  Andy caught the sound and leaned in, close enough that his shoulder brushed hers. "That's what I imagined you wearing if we were ever on a balcony somewhere, maybe in Venice. After drinks. Under string lights."

  Summer shot him a look, half flustered, half incredulous. "Do you always think this far ahead?"

  "I'm a romantic," Andy murmured, unbothered. "And you make it easy."

  She kept scrolling, caught now in the vision he'd laid out. Some of the images weren't even outfits, just moods: a candlelit hallway, a hand on a bare back, a pair of black satin heels abandoned at the edge of a chaise.

  Summer looked up at him. "You really want me next to you. Like this."

  "I want you next to me like you," Andy said, brushing a bit of her hair back behind her ear. "But if you like any of these things — any of them — I'll make it happen. You in velvet? Silk? Something that feels like you and makes you feel powerful?" He grinned. "Yes, please."

  "I've never even thought about dresses like these." She touched the screen as if it was the fabric depicted there, delicately. "I feel like I'm in the middle of some dream. You think I could wear something like this without — "

  "Without what?" Andy interjected, his voice low and reassuring. He was so close, the heat of his body a reminder that he wasn't just offering clothes. He was offering an invitation. A place to belong, with him.

  She shook her head, her thoughts spinning. "Without feeling like I'm pretending? Like it's all too much for me?"

  Andy smiled, a little wry, but his voice was earnest. "You're never pretending when you wear something that makes you feel like yourself. You're just giving the world the chance to see you as you really are. Bold, beautiful, and unapologetic."

  Summer turned her head, her eyes meeting his. "And what if I don't know how to be that person?"

  "You don't have to know yet," Andy said, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm here to help you figure it out. Besides, I think you're already on your way." His fingers traced the side of her neck, lightly, before he pulled back just a little to give her space. "It's all about stepping into what feels right. And you deserve to feel amazing, Summer. You really do."

  "I think I need time to let this all sink in," she whispered, her voice soft but sure.

  "I can wait," Andy said, his smile warm, but his eyes sharp with understanding. "I'm not going anywhere. We have time, Summer."