Page 62 of Wicked Rockstar

“Oh, my God,” I breathed, running my fingers over a silky black blouse. “This—these clothes—are incredible.”

Lexi beamed. “Thank you. I design most of the clothes I sell.”

“They’re beautiful. And I love how size inclusive you are.” It sucked trying to find clothing for my plus-size body. Unless I went to a store that specialized in larger sizes, I often didn’t find anything nice that fit me off the rack.

She grinned. “I love fashion and I was determined to create a boutique that catered to everyone. I mean, it would be ridiculous for me to own the place, and design clothes that wouldn’t fit my own body.” Lexi was just as curvy as I was, and I wanted to have the same absolute confidence in myself she did.

“I love my body,” I assured her. “I’ve learned to love every dip, every curve, each stretch mark, and roll, but sometimes … ” I sighed.

“Society tries to tell us we’re not the typical standard of beauty?” she filled in.

I nodded. “And finding clothes that look good on me can be exhausting.” I had an apron belly and some days my stomach was rounder than others. It was hard to dress fashionably without looking like I was pregnant or wearing a shapeless mumu. Yet I saw larger women on social media wearing outfits they loved and looking fabulous while doing it.

“Well, today all of that changes.” Lexi grinned again and clapped her hands. “Killian gave us carte blanche to bring the best, so let’s have a fashion show.”

I looked at row after row of clothing on her travel racks and wondered what I had agreed to.

Before I could even try the first outfit, my phone rang. I grabbed it out of my back pocket. Peter.

“I’m so sorry,” I said to Lexi. “It’s my boss. I have to take this.”

“No problem. We’ll get the first few outfits ready for you.”

I smiled to thank her as I picked up. “Hi, Peter. What’s up?”

“I need your help.” His deep grumbly voice still sent a flutter through me, but I was quick to tamp it down. I had to remind myself to forget my long-lived crush on him.

Suddenly, I remembered where I was. Panic raced through my veins. I couldn’t let him find out I was with Killian. “What’s up?”

“I had an idea for the song we’re recording tomorrow and wanted to go over it with you.”

“Okay. Great, what is it?” I paused, waiting for him to tell me.

“I need you here to listen to the changes. You’re always so amazing with all the fine-tuning.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“I uh… ” I looked at the time on my phone. “I guess I could be there in about 15-20 minutes?”

Lexi’s head jerked up from the case of jewelry she was looking through. Her frown made me feel awful, but Peter needed my help. Ihadto go.“I’m sorry.”I mouthed. I hated disappointing people.

“Perfect. Oh, wait… Hold on a sec, Tris.” He clicked over to another call.

I hit mute. “Lexi, I’m so sorry. My boss needs me.”

“Why don’t you just tell him you’re busy?” she suggested.

“I know, but we’re recording the song tomorrow and he likes to finish changes the night before if he has them.”

“Did he tell you earlier he needed you tonight?” I knew she was just making conversation, but I felt each word judging me.

“Uh, no … but … It’s my job.” I bit my lip. How did I explain that I hardly ever said no to Peter? I wasn’t sure I even knew how.

I heard a click indicating he was back. “Tris. We can go over this before we head into the studio tomorrow morning.”

“But I thought you needed me right now?”

“Yeah, I did but something came up.” He sounded distracted and I had a feeling he was texting someone.

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