Marco's book wasn't about clipping two old socks together with a clothespin so the socks wouldn't get lost in the clothes dryer or teaching people how to reuse stale bread for sandwiches by soaking the hard loaves in wet towels. If Marco wouldn't eat stale bread, how the hell could he expect his readers to eat it? The household hints in Marco's book were more along the lines of how to repair fine porcelain and how to wash Dupioni silk in the washing machine to avoid expensive dry cleaning bills. In almost every single way, his book was about saving people money, but also improving the quality and style of their lives. Many of his tips were environmentally safe, too. He'd devoted half of one chapter to the importance of using inexpensive cloth napkins instead of paper. If everyone in the world just made one small change, the environment had hope. Marco could see the entire concept in his mind's eye, and this time he was going to trust his own instincts and he wasn't going to listen to anyone else's stupid opinions.
When Yves began to speak about how he didn't deserve the award and how he wasn't ready to receive it, Marco started and poked Molly in the arm with his elbow. “If you ask me,” he whispered to Molly, “he not only deserves this award, he deserves an Oscar, too. If nothing else, the little slut sure did work for it. On his knees."
Molly lowered her gaze and sighed. “I've been to many of these awards, and I've never heard quite a performance like this,” she said. “He has them all eating out of his hand, believing every single word. I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to an award speech without wondering how sincere the recipient is."
Marco laughed. “That's because most of them
are
liars,” He said. “But not all."
Marco lifted his chin and looked around the room. The audience was filled with important people from the fashion industry and the modeling industry. They applauded Yves's most humble comments, then applauded again when he thanked the people who had helped him get his start. Harris Wolfe was sitting at the head table, with his head tilted up and his arms folded across his chest. When Yves thanked Molly, calling her his best friend, Harris looked at Molly and rolled his eyes. Marco just watched and listened, not knowing whether to laugh or throw the centerpiece at Yves's head. The only one Yves didn't thank publicly that night was Harris Wolfe, which was surprising because Marco figured Harris had been chiefly responsible for lobbying to get Yves this award.
As the speech came to an end, Yves thanked one last person. “I'd like to give a special thanks to the man who made all this possible for me. Without him, I would not be here tonight. Marco Denny.” Then he smiled at Marco and stretched out his right hand. “Thank you, Marco,” Yves said. “You've been my mentor, my biggest supporter, and my best friend."
While the audience applauded, Marco closed his eyes and gulped.
There was an odd custom with this particular award. The person who had won the award the previous year was expected to give the final speech at the end of the award dinner. Though Marco just wanted to go home and read a good book, he knew he had to get up and say something. So he stood from the table, gave Frazier a quick look, and crossed up to the platform where Yves was still standing. In all the years he'd been coming to this award ceremony, he'd never felt so awkward. Part of him wanted to rip the award from Yves's hand and crack it over Yves's head, and part of him wanted to shrug his shoulders and laugh out loud.
When Marco reached the platform, he shook Yves's hand and Yves went back to his own seat. Then Marco adjusted his tie and cleared his throat. “How can I add anything to such an eloquent speech by such a talented young professional like Yves Marisano?” he said. He almost choked on his own words, but the audience gave a huge round of applause. “Ah yes,” he said, “Yves Marisano is certainly one of a kind. Winning this prestigious award was one of the highlights of my life and my career, as I'm sure it will be for Yves.” Then he turned to face Yves. He stared him up and down. “And I wish him everything he's wished for me, and more."
The audience stood to applaud. They seemed to be applauding Marco and Yves at the same time.
"This award is important because it recognizes hard work and dedication,” Marco said, “but I've also learned there are other things just as important as awards and money, fame, and work. Those of you who know me well know I've been in love with the same wonderful man for a long time. He's the most perfect man in the world, and he's always been there for me when I needed him the most. This weekend I'm marrying my longtime partner, Frazier North, in a small ceremony in East Hampton. Though it's not legal in this country, we will be just as much a married couple when the ceremony is over as we've been for the last fifteen years."
The audience gave a huge round of applause, and this time they were applauding for Marco and Frazier, not Yves.
"And with that,” Marco said, “I'd like to thank everyone for presenting me with last year's award. Winning the award was unforgettable, as were so many other things in my life this past year.” He looked in Yves's direction and raised an eyebrow. Yves blinked, then smiled. Marco bowed quickly to the audience and walked back to his table.
After Marco's little speech, everyone stood up to leave. The award dinner was over and some of the guests were going back to Edgar Dupree's home for another party. Marco walked back to his own table. Molly, Jasper, and Frazier were standing by then, waiting for him to join them.
Frazier put his arms around Marco and said, “That was a wonderful speech. I can't wait until we actually exchange our vows this weekend, because I'm more in love with you now than I've ever been. I'm looking forward to the future.” Then he kissed him on the lips and gave him a tight hug in front of everyone.
Marco sighed and said, “The only thing in the future I care about is spending the rest of my life with you."
"Are we all going back to Edgar's?” Molly asked, tapping Marco's back with her handbag. “Or are you two just going to get a room here for the night?"
Marco stepped back and adjusted his jacket. “We're going,” he said. Then he looked at Frazer and said, “We'll just pick up where we left off later tonight."
"We will?” Frazier asked, grabbing Marco's ass.
"In the bathtub,” Marco said.
"You two lovebirds just sound creepy sometimes,” Molly said. “And I'm so jealous I could kick you.” But she was smiling, and everyone knew she wasn't serious about kicking him.
Jasper put his hand on Molly's ass and squeezed it hard. Molly's eyes bugged and she jumped forward. “Hey,” Molly said. “What's that all about?"
Jasper smiled and put his arms around her shoulders. He kissed her on the forehead. “Stop worrying about them, because I have plans for you later tonight, too."
It was a rare show of affection for Jasper. He rarely even touched Molly in public, let alone grabbed her by the ass. Marco thought it was so unusual, he reached for Molly's arm and said, “Are you sure
you
don't want to get a room here for the night? Why spoil a moment, is what I always say."
Molly smacked his arm. “Be good,” she said, smiling so wide her eyes squinted. “We'll pick up where we left off later tonight, right, Jasper?"
Jasper squeezed her ass again. “Damn right we will."
On the way out of the banquet room, the four friends were forced to pass by Yves and Harris. They were standing in the doorway of the banquet room and there was no way to avoid them. From the way it looked to Marco, Yves and Harris had come to the event as a couple. But he wasn't sure. The only thing Marco was sure about was Yves had slept with Harris, and it wasn't because Molly had told him. Knowing Harris Wolfe, Marco knew there was no way Harris would have done half the things he'd done for Yves if Yves
hadn't
slept with him. Molly and Jasper nodded at them. Frazier just ignored them and walked right out into the lobby as if they were both invisible.
But Marco stopped in the doorway and reached for Yves's arm. He squeezed Yves's bicep and said, “If you need any help finding a place to put your award statue, Yves, just give me a call. I'm sure I can find the perfect place to
shove
it.” Then he smiled and turned in the other direction.
Marco was about to follow the others into the lobby. His last comment would have been the perfect exit line. But a tall young man in baggy jeans and a knitted cap crossed to where they were standing, and Marco stopped to listen. The young man was scruffy-looking on the surface, but had handsome chiseled features and bright blue eyes. He pulled a piece of paper and a pen out of an oversized denim jacket and gestured to Yves.
"Oh, Mr. Marisano,” he said, with a soft gentle voice. “I'm such a huge fan of yours. I've watched every single segment you've done on the home shopping channel and I have every single magazine you've ever been in. I even started a fan club for you on Facebook. I know I'm out of line, but I was wondering if you could please, please give me an autograph. My only goal in life is to become a famous model just like you."
When Marco heard this, he was glad he'd stopped to listen. He smiled and squared his shoulders, then tapped Yves on the arm and said, “I'm sure you can teach this nice young man everything you know, Yves. And I'll bet he can teach you a few things, too."
Frazier was standing at the exit door with the others. He called Marco's name and said, “Are you coming, baby?"
"Are you and Harris going to Edgar's party?” Marco asked, waving to Frazier, signaling he'd be right there.
At the same time, Harris said yes and Yves said no.
Harris frowned and tilted his head. “But the party is for you, Yves.” He seemed to be working hard to keep his voice friendly.
Yves gave him a look and said, “I'm tired and I want to go home. I have a terrible headache and I'm feeling dizzy. You go without me.” His voice was pleasant enough, but there was a sharp edge in his voice and a nasty look in his eyes.
Harris clenched his teeth. “But Yves,” he said. “I'd hate to see you go home alone when you're not feeling well. And I have to attend this party to write a column about it."
"I have an idea,” Marco said. “Harris, you can come to the party with us, and this nice young man can help Yves get home safely. You wouldn't mind helping Yves, young man, would you?"
"I'd love to help him,” the young guy said. “I'll bring you right home and make sure you're safe and sound. No one will bother you when I'm around. I'll make sure of it."
"I'm sure you'll take good care of him,” Marco said to the young man. Then he grabbed Harris Wolfe by the arm, without giving Harris a chance to refuse, and said, “C'mon Harris, everyone's waiting for us. I'm sure this nice young man will take good care of Yves."
Then Marco put his hand on Harris's back and pushed Harris forward. They left Yves and the young man standing in the doorway, while the young man continued to praise and compliment Yves. The young man even referred to Yves an elite supermodel. Marco smiled all the way to the entrance of the hotel, where Frazier and the others were waiting for him. Marco knew they wouldn't be happy he was bringing Harris to the party with them in the same car. Frankly, he didn't want to be with Harris either. But this time Marco knew exactly what he was doing.