The Call Boy I Met in Paris – Episode 13
Joey’s gaze moved between Sophie and Justin as he tried to understand the situation without betraying what he knew. Justin Lake had never needed a last-minute favor from any designer. Entire collections were usually brought to him.
“Justin Lake,” Sophie said by way of introduction. She missed the warning hidden in Joey’s expression because she was already imagining how different Justin would look once properly dressed.
“Yes, sir,” Joey replied automatically. The deference was subtle, but Justin caught it at once.
Their eyes met over Sophie’s shoulder. Justin gave the smallest shake of his head, a silent instruction not to reveal him. Joey’s eyebrows rose, yet years of serving discreet clients had trained him to conceal surprise.
Justin wandered farther into the studio and examined the displays with exaggerated uncertainty. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in a store like this,” he said. The lie was harmless enough to maintain Sophie’s assumption, though Joey nearly choked on it.
“Everything looks so expensive.” Justin touched the sleeve of a jacket from a collection he had partially financed. “You really don’t have to do this for me.”
Sophie heard embarrassment where there was only performance. Her expression softened. She remembered Tony and Stella looking at Justin as if his supposed poverty made him less human, and her resolve strengthened.
“You’re my husband. Of course I do,” she told him. The words escaped with more tenderness than she intended, and Justin’s teasing smile disappeared beneath something quieter.
“But I’m happy to,” she added, turning away before the moment could become too intimate. Their arrangement required him to look the part, she reminded herself. This was an investment, not affection.
Justin watched her study the suits. Seven years earlier, Sophie had given money to a stranger without expecting repayment. Now she was doing it again, still unaware that the man receiving her kindness could buy the building around them.
“Can you get his measurements, please?” Sophie asked Joey. She checked the time, aware that the inheritance deadline and her first day leading the firm were approaching together.
“There’s no need,” Joey said too quickly. Justin’s complete tailoring profile was already stored in the studio system, down to the smallest preference.
Sophie turned. “No need?” Her gaze traveled over Justin as though trying to decide whether his proportions were somehow obvious to professionals.
Joey searched for an explanation. “I mean…” He looked at Justin, who offered no help beyond a warning glance.
“I’ve been doing this for too long,” Joey said at last. “One look, and I have a rough number in mind.” It was not entirely impossible, merely less precise than what he actually knew.
Sophie’s suspicion dissolved into admiration. “See? This is why we’re here. Joey is the expert of experts.” She sounded proud of having chosen the right person for Justin.
Joey accepted the praise with a strained smile. “I have some suits you’ll look stunning in, Mr. Lake.” That much required no deception.
“Please follow me.” He gestured toward the private fitting area, hoping for a chance to ask Justin what kind of dangerous game he was playing.
Sophie settled onto a sofa. “I’ll wait for you out here, okay?” Justin nodded and followed Joey behind the curtain.
The instant they were alone, Joey lowered his voice. “Mr. Lake, what is going on?” Justin glanced toward the curtain separating him from his wife. “For now,” he said, “Sophie can’t know these suits were made for me.”
