Page 89 of I Am Sin

What do you wear to the most sought-after job in any young architect’s life—especially when you want to be assigned to their biggest project?

The office is business casual, and you don’t want to look uptight.

My gaze finally falls on a pair of slacks. They’re dark gray, and I hadn’t considered them before because they’re actually yoga pants made to look like slacks.

But man, they do accent my ass like nothing else. Those with a pair of black patent-leather pumps—or maybe I should go for regular pebbled leather—and a crisp white blouse might just be perfect.

But which white blouse? I decide on a fitted cotton number that is actually meant to be worn untucked. Because these pants are actually yoga pants, I can’t wear a belt with them, so any other blouse wouldn’t look right.

I heave a sigh of relief.

It’s not perfect, but it will do. During my several interviews, I took note of what the other women were wearing. Very few of them wore dresses or skirts. I thought about going shopping and buying a whole new wardrobe for this job, but that seemed outrageous. Just because I can doesn’t mean I should.

I’m happy with the outfit I chose, but then I start to panic again.

That’s just for tomorrow. There are four more days in the week. Plus…casual Fridays.

Wearing jeans to work in a downtown architecture firm doesn’t sit well with me. Sure, I grew up wearing jeans, but that was on a ranch.

I traipse through my walk-in closet, again pulling on various pieces of clothing and considering them. Is this how it will be now? Panicking until I know what I’m going to wear for every day of the week?

I finally hang everything back up. I’ll worry about Tuesday’s outfit tomorrow night.

If only I could just wear the same thing every day.

I walk out of my bedroom and into the kitchen to see what I can make myself for a quick supper.

The door opens, and I look over my shoulder to see Dragon walking in. He’s carrying something. It looks like a paper of some sort.

My nipples harden, and I say a silent thank-you that I chose a padded bra today. I wish I knew what to say to him.

I settle on, “Hi.”

“Hi,” he says.

“I’m fixing some dinner. You want anything?”

“No, I’m fine.” He glances toward the fridge and frowns. “I’ll have a sandwich or something.”

“I’m just making some pasta and sauce. It’s no trouble.”

He sits down at the counter, setting the paper he’s carrying down in front of him. “Yeah, okay. If it’s no trouble.”

“What’s that?” I gesture to the papers.

“Some sheet music. I stumbled upon this music store while I was out walking. Over on the edge of town.”

“That must be Antonio’s store.”

“What?” he says.

“I told you this. The guy I met last night, he’s the owner of a music store on the edge of town. It must be the same one you found.”

“Oh, right. I left my name and number with the girl working the cash register,” he says. “But I don’t expect anything to come of it.”

I grab my phone. “I can call Antonio. Or Teddy. They’re cousins.”

“No.” He crosses his arms. “I don’t want anyone getting a job for me. If they want to talk to me, they will.”

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