Page 57 of Dark Love

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.

We have a suite, not a simple changing room. The outer room’s décor feels more like a stuffy living room with a little stage and mirrors on one side.

“Some of your selections are already in the fitting room. I’ll alert you as soon as the rest arrive.” Crystal opens the door to another room that is bigger than my childhood bedroom. One wall is covered with a rack of clothing.

That emerald shirt jumps out at me. I’d love to wear it.

I can’t stop myself from putting it on with a simple knee-length skirt.

Crystal lightly knocks on the door. “How is everything going in there? Do you need any help?”

Everything is going terribly. The beautiful shirt fits me exactly as I expected… horribly. “Um.” I’m not used to lying, even though a pleasantry like a fine isn’t exactly considered a lie.

Crystal pokes her head in. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes widen as she gets a look at me. “Ohhh. I can see why you didn’t want that type of shirt. Nothing off the rack is going to fit your curves properly unless it’s a knit or stretch material. And even then, it’ll probably need a bit of tailoring to fit. Don’t worry, we have tailoring on site.”

Before I can blink, she’s got pins out and she’s adjusting the material.

It doesn’t take long before she steps back. “There. That looks much better.”

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