Chapter 11

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“Since this morning, apparently,” Ava said, hooking her arm into Gabriel’s. “And I might need your help to pick out more than a dress,” she added.

“Ava,” Gabriel whined. “I told you, just because I’m gay, it doesn’t mean I like shopping,” he objected.

“Please, pretty please? You are the only one I can trust. I know you will tell me the truth about what fits and what doesn’t. And I will spill the tea, and it is a really, really excellent tea to spill,” she begged.

“Damn you and your knowledge of my weaknesses. It better be the best tea I have ever heard,” he groaned.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said. They headed into the first shop to start their hunt. Ava felt bad she had to lie to her friend, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. She didn’t think she would survive if Gabriel cut her out of his life. He was a good man, but Ava knew when she more or less voluntary signed a sex contract, she had become a glorified sex worker, a pet. She didn’t think anyone would like someone like that as a friend. So she avoided telling Gabriel about the

actual nature of the contract.

“You are telling me that in order to pa

y off your uncle’s debt, you have to work as a nurse for the mafia?” Gabriel asked with a look of horror as Ava changed into a non–existent red dress that Gabriel insisted she needed to try.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

“Honey, why is it your place to pay off your uncle’s debt?” Gabriel asked.

“He’s family. I can’t just stand by and see him get hurt. Besides, as we are family, they can come after me for the money. I could lose the house. It seemed like the best solution,” she said. “Gabriel, I can’t wear this.”

“Why not?” he asked as he stood on tippy toe to look over the drape that separated the changing boot from the store.

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“Because it’s two washcloths held together by string,” she complained. Gabriel looked at her and then nodded.

“You are right. Those knockers of yours will escape before the night is over,” he agreed.

“Gabriel!”

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“Ava, you asked me to be honest, and honest I shall be. You have a body that most women would kill for,” he added.

“Stop it, I do not. I’m not skinny,” Ava objected.

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“Honey, I’m the man here. I’m telling you that any man would like to drag you off to a cave. Men don’t want skinny, they want curves, not angles,” he told her.

“Gabriel, you’re gay. What do you know?” Ava teased.

“I have straight friends, I can do the macho, macho man thing,” he said, and pretended to be hurt.

“Sure,” Ava agreed, and giggled.

“So okay, you are a nurse for the mafia. What about the cute one and the tough one that is following you around?” Gabriel asked as Ava tried on the next dress.

“My contract states they will provide me with bodyguards. I guess it’s for my protection,” Ava said.

“See, that doesn’t make me crazy about this idea. And since when do nurses need dresses for going to the nightclub?” Gabriel whined.

“Since I’m to be on constant standby, that means I have to come to the club sometimes,” Ava told him.

“I still don’t like it.”

“I can’t say I’m all that happy about it myself. Especially if this is the sort of thing I’m supposed to wear,” Ava said with a sigh looking at the green stretch dress that showed to much of everything and highlighted everything she felt insecure

about.

“Ava, you can’t go to a club dressed as a church lady. You need to dress sexy,” Gabriel told her.

“I know, but does it mean I need to be slutty? Isn’t there a middle ground?” Gabriel made a humming sound on the

other side of the drape.

“Classy sexy?” he asked.

“Yes, is there such a thing?” Ava wondered.

“I will grab one of the girls, give me a moment,” Gabriel said. Ava waited. He was gone a long time before she heard him

return.

“Are you decent, honey?” he asked.

“Yes.” The drape was pulled aside, and Gabriel pulled her out into the waiting area outside. There was a young woman standing there with a couple of dresses in her hands.

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“This is Jill. She’s our new best friend,” Gabriel told Ava.

“Hi,” Ava said.

“Hello, I see what you mean, she is gorgeous. I have some great dresses for her to try. And you are specifically looking for dresses to go out in?” Jill asked.

“And some everyday clothes, think office attire,” Ava told her.

“Oh, I have some things that you will love. Classy sexy for everything?”

“Sure,” Ava said. She was guessing Zane wanted her to dress more provocative even on a day–to–day basis. Jeans and a t- shirt wouldn’t do.

The next three hours were filled with trying on clothes and deciding what Ava’s new style should be. Gabriel hadn’t been wrong when he said Jill were their new best friend. Ava learned to build a closet and how to form a style. It surprised her how much fun shopping could be when you didn’t need to keep to a strict budget. Jill was amazing at her job, and she had a good eye for what would look good on Ava. Together, the three of them walked a fine line between looking sexy but classy and avoiding looking trashy or desperate. Ryder and Tom were sitting in the waiting area outside the dressing room and were provided with coffee and sodas. They didn’t complain. In the end, Ava had spent a ghastly amount of money, according to her. But she couldn’t disagree with that the clothes made her look amazing.

“May I make a final suggestion?” Jill asked as Tom and Ryder tried to grab all the bags.

“After what we have put your through today and the help you have given me, you can say whatever you want,” Ava said

with a smile.

“It was my pleasure. Do you know what type of commission I will get from this?” Jill admitted. All three of them laughed. “I have a friend that works at Salon Noir, just around the corner. I can give her a call and ask if she has time to see you today. A new hairstyle and maybe some new nails would go perfect with the new clothes,” Jill told Ava.

“I think that would be amazing,” Gabriel agreed.

“I would be grateful for it,” Ava said, and nodded.

“One minute,” Jill said, and disappeared to the back. “She has cancelation, but it isn’t until two,” she said as she

returned, holding her phone.

“That would be perfect. We could have lunch while we wait. If you are free, Gabriel?” Ava asked.

“I wouldn’t miss my sweet Ava’s transformation for anything. Tell your friend Ava will take the free slot,” he told Jill. Ava and Gabriel were escorted by Tom and Ryder, fully loaded with bags, to the car. Ryder opened the door for them as Tom stowed away the bags and got into the driver’s seat.

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onlyMU ben

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…

“You know, I could get used to this lifestyle,” Gabriel mused.

“I bet you could. You have always been high maintenance,” Ava laughed.

*True.”

“We could eat at one of the posh restaurants around here, but I’m dying for a good burger,” Ava sighed.

“I will never turn down a good burger. Let’s head to Earnie’s,” Gabriel agreed.

“Tom, could you please take us to Ernie’s?” Ava asked.

“Sure, but wouldn’t you prefer something from around here? They have excellent restaurants here,” Tom pointed out.

“No, thank you.” Tom–shrugged, and they drove to the less upscale part of the city. Every native of the city knew about Ernie’s. It was the best hamburger joint for miles around. They served hamburgers and loaded hotdogs with an array of side dishes. What you couldn’t find there was anything remotely healthy or low fat. Ava and Gabriel would treat themselves from time to time, it was their place to go to celebrate or pick themselves up after a bad day. As the two of them sat enjoying their burgers, they talked about Ava quitting her job.

“You know I’m going to miss you like crazy,” Gabriel told her.

“It’s not like you never going to hear from me again. We will still be friends,” Ava said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, I’m not being a drama queen. You realise this means I have to find someone else to eat lunch with.”

“What do you do on days when I don’t have lunch at the same times as you, or I work the evening shift?” Ava asked. As Ava was a nurse, her shifts changed. But Gabriel worked as an accountant in the hospital’s economy department and

worked regular office hours.

“I usually eat with Monica and Brad,” Gabriel told her.

“Well, there you go,” Ava said, smiling..

“But they are so boring,” Gabriel whined.

“I promise I will come by and eat lunch with you as often as a can.”

“Okay. I just don’t want you to forget about me now that you live this fancy life,” Gabriel said.

“This is just temporary. I know who my true friend is,” Ava said and placed her hand on his. Ryder, that was sitting at the next table with Tom, cleared his throat and looked at their hands.

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“Wanna come over here so I can hold your hand instead?” Gabriel asked with a smooth smile. Ryder didn’t say anything, but Ava could see him blushing again.

“Stop teasing him,” she scolded Gabriel.

“Oh please, he likes it,” Gabriel said with a grin. Ava almost believed him.

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