Chapter 15: Shop Talk

The week crawled by in a series of stolen moments. Ti found himself looking forward to even the briefest interactions - Reece bringing Z for a shape-up before school, quick nods when they passed each other in the neighborhood, late night texts that just said "Z says hi" but meant so much more.

Friday evening, the shop bell chimed just as Ti was finishing up his last client. He looked up to find Reece leaning in the doorway, no Z in sight.

"Little daddy," Ti greeted, heart speeding up like it always did now. "Ain't expecting you today."

"Z's at science club." Reece moved into the shop, shutting the door behind him. "Thought I'd get a touch up before his game tomorrow."

Ti finished with his client, trying to keep his hands steady as he felt Reece's eyes on him. Once they were alone, Reece settled into the chair, shoulders relaxing slightly as Ti draped the cape around him.

"How short?" Ti asked, fingers brushing Reece's neck as he fastened the cape.

"You know how I like it," Reece said quietly, eyes meeting Ti's in the mirror.

Ti did know - had memorized exactly how Reece wore his fade, the precise lines he preferred. His hands moved with practiced care, hyperaware of every small reaction as he worked.

"Z been talking about dinner Tuesday," Reece said after a while, voice low. "Asking where we should take you."

"Yeah?" Ti smiled, carefully edging around Reece's ear. "What he decide?"

"Boy wants Korean barbeque. Says his friend from soccer had it and you cook the meat yourself."

Ti laughed. "Sounds like something he'd love."

"Mmm." Reece was quiet for a moment, then added softly, "Been a while since he got this excited about... about someone new."

Ti's hands stilled briefly before continuing their careful work. "That okay?"

"Yeah," Reece's voice was rough. "Just... ain't used to seeing him like this. Being so sure about someone."

"What about you?" Ti asked quietly, heart pounding. "You sure?"

Reece's eyes met his in the mirror, dark and intense. "Getting there."

Ti nodded, understanding what he wasn't saying. They were both still figuring this out, still taking careful steps. But they were doing it together.

He finished the cut in comfortable silence, taking extra time to make sure every line was perfect. When he was done, Reece ran a hand over his fade, nodding approval.

"What I owe you?" he asked, standing.

"You know I don't charge family," Ti said without thinking, then froze as he realized what he'd said.

But Reece just looked at him for a long moment, something soft in his eyes. "Guess not," he finally said, voice gentle in a way Ti rarely heard.

At the door, Reece paused. "Tomorrow's game is at ten."

"I'll be there," Ti promised.

"After..." Reece seemed to steel himself. "After, maybe you could come by the house? Z been wanting to show you his science project."

Ti's heart jumped.

"Want to," he said simply.

Reece nodded once, sharp, but Ti caught the pleased look in his eyes. "See you tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow, little daddy."

After Reece left, Ti leaned against his chair, trying to calm his racing heart. Another step forward, another careful piece falling into place. The house, dinner with Z, the way Reece looked at him now - it was all adding up to something real.

Something worth taking slow, worth doing right.

Worth waiting for.