Page 362 of Dark Love

“Crystal,” Vex all but snaps.

“Don’t worry. His bark is worse than his bite… mostly.” She winks.

Vex takes my hand and squeezes it as the three of us step into an old manually operated elevator. Every piece shines like it’s brand new, even though it’s got to be a hundred years old.

We step off onto a floor labeled women’s wear, and Crystal takes the lead.

“So why didn’t you want Crystal to tell me good things about you?” I whisper so that only Vex can hear me.

“Because I’m not a good man, and I don’t want you to ever say I tricked you into thinking I was.”

What a peculiar answer. Most men want their good points shouted to the rooftops. They don’t lead with their flaws.

She stops just in front of the first section of clothing. “Now, I know you mentioned wanting to wander, but if you give me a clue as to your style and sizes, I can expedite the process.”

“Think sexy librarian,” Vex answers before I can.

Is that how he sees me? No one has ever described me like that.

“Noted.” She pulls out a tablet. “And is there anything you’d like to add, Prue?”

Modest grandmother better describes my style, but there’s no way I’d say that out loud. “I’m looking for something comfortable. Nothing too clingy.”

She nods.

“Stylish enough not to look out of place standing next to Vex.”

Her finger taps the tablet. “Sizes?”

“I’m an eight to a ten in pants and a fourteen to sixteen for my shirts.” Those numbers would be more embarrassing if men knew anything about clothing sizes.

Crystal lifts her eyes from the screen and stares at me dubiously. “Are you sure about those sizes?”

Very. “Yes.” I tug Vex’s coat tighter around me.

“All right then. We can start over here.” She walks a few feet in and pulls out an emerald silk shirt with darts at the waist and pearl buttons running up to a ruffled collar. It’s lovely. “That won’t fit me.”

“We have it in both a fourteen and a sixteen.”

No. No. “I’m sure the size is fine, but that style won’t fit me. I need something… um… looser around the um waist.” Those darts will never come in close enough to fit my actual waist, but just enough to highlight what I want hidden.

“She’ll try it on.” Vex walks over to stand next to me.

My head practically snaps as I twist it to look at him. “But it won’t fit.”

“If Crystal says it will fit, it’ll fit. She’s good at her job.”

“I am.” She walks over to another rack. “If you don’t like the green, this burnt sienna would look amazing with your hair.” Crystal lifts up another fitted shirt. This one buttons down the back with a belt at the waist.”

That dusty orangey-red color does look good on me. And Crystal’s picks would be spot on if I had anyone else’s body, but on mine it would look vulgar and garish. “How about a sweater? A nice thick cable-knit?”

“Sweaters are upstairs, but I’ll pull a few for you.”

***

After seemingly forever, we head up to the dressing rooms. Most of the time, Vex and Crystal ignored my suggestions and picked what they wanted.

But that doesn’t matter, I’m going to buy what I want. None of that sexy librarian stuff is coming home with me today.

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