Page 32 of Shadow Witch

After a second, she collapsed against the vanity, her chest heaving for air. “I can’t believe this. I’m going to be beaten by a pair of leather trousers.”

She shook her head and tried again, wiggling around as she attempted to pull them up. Her teeth clenched as she tossed her head back, a groan escaping her taut lips.

“I can’t believe this.”

She wiped away the sweat beaded on her brow as she breathed hard. A knock startled her. “Everything okay in there?” Drucinda asked. “It’s almost time.”

“Yeah. Be out in a sec.” Paige cursed under her breath before she fought with the pants again. But it was no use. She couldn’t tug them up any higher. “Uhhh, Drucinda?”

“Yes?” the woman answered.

“I kind of have a problem.”

“You cannot get out of this. Just come out and face it. No one can do it for you.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s…can you just come in here? Just you. No one else.”

The door clicked open, and Drucinda slipped inside. Paige narrowed her eyes at the woman’s own leather pants, fitting perfectly around her every curve.

“What’s the problem?” she asked.

Paige swallowed hard, heat rising into her cheeks. “I need another pair of pants.”

“Why?”

“These don’t fit. There is literally no way I can get them on. I don’t know how you do it.” Paige tugged at her pants again before she flung her hands out to the sides. “See?”

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“Look, I did have a few too many breadsticks, okay? Just get me a pair of leggings or something.”

Drucinda slid her eyes closed as she shook her head. “Honestly. You really are a nitwit.”

Paige frowned at the woman as she stalked back to the door.

With a flick of her ponytail, she tugged it open an inch. “I’m going to need butter and plastic wrap immediately.”

“On it!” Dewey shouted.

Drucinda closed the door and leaned against it. “We’ll have you in those in no time, darling.”

“Is this how you get yours on?” Paige asked.

“Of course not. I have no need for such tricks. But…I doubt the tailor for those is as good as mine, so here we are.”

A few minutes of awkward silence later, a knock sounded. Drucinda popped the door open and snatched a few items. She spun to face Paige, arching an eyebrow. “Let’s go to work.”

Fifteen minutes, half a roll of plastic wrap, and a stick of butter later, Paige finally tugged the laces closed on her leather trousers. “Man, I hope I can breathe during this challenge.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Drucinda said. “Now you really look like a librarian. Those ridiculous leggings you always wear make you look like you’re a member of the soccer mom’s club. I half expected you to show up to work with a dozen muffins for a bake sale.”

“I like my leggings. They’re comfortable. And I can move in them. Perfect for anything that comes up during my day.”

Drucinda rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows the best protectors of the magical world wear leather trousers. Come on, we’d better hurry before we’re late.”

Paige nodded, giving herself one final look in the mirror. You can do this. She repeated the thought over and over in her mind as she firmed her chin and her resolve.

Giving herself a final nod in the mirror, she left the bathroom, irritated by how snug her pants still felt as she strode out of the room.

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