Page 74 of Monster Among the Roses (Fairy Tale Quartet 1)

“Hell if I know,” I answered, honestly.

He sighed. “Look, you’ve got to give me something here. Do you want to look nice for my sister or not?”

I shook my head. “Dude, you’re the one who works in the fashion industry.”

His scowl was immediate. “I’m administrative.”

I lifted my eyebrows, letting him know that made no difference to me. His closet was bigger than my entire apartment and was full of custom-made, name-brand clothes. He had to have more fashion sense than I did.

Grumbling under his breath, Ezra picked out a tie and flung it at me. I looped it over my shoulder and watched him mutter some more as he chose a dress shirt and pants.

“Wait until I’m out of here before you try the pants on,” he instructed before leaving me alone in his closet.

I did, hustling to do so as soon as he was gone.

Again, everything fit eerily well. The pants were a smidge too short, but not enough to look bad. I shifted around in everything, relieved it felt comfortable, and yet oddly aware I wasn’t in my own clothes.

Just as quickly, I took everything off and pulled on my holey jeans and T-shirt.

Slipping the suit back onto its assorted hangers, I draped everything carefully over my arm and left the closet. Ezra wasn’t waiting in the bedroom, so I entered the hall and found him in the front room, pacing the floor and scowling at something he was reading on his smartphone.

“That wasn’t what I meant, and you know it, Lana,” he growled as he jabbed his finger angrily against the screen, pounding out a response to the message he’d obviously just received.

I cleared my throat.

He glanced up, then lifted his eyebrows, waiting for a report on sizes.

I made the okay sign. “Everything fits perfect,” I said and nodded my gratitude, because I really did want to look good for Isobel, even if I had to wear someone else’s clothes to accomplish it. “Thank you.”

He nodded and started to follow me toward the door when I headed that way. “You know this is her first date in eight years, right?”

I slowed to a stop and gulped before facing him again. “I know. Any good advice?”

“Yes.” He pointed at me and narrowed his eyes. “No sex with my sister in my suit.”

With a frown, I growled, “I’m serious here, man.”

“So am I,” he argued. “You seem like a decent guy. I’d seriously hate to have to kill you if you get out of line.”

“And I’d hate to have to die,” I spit back. “But in all seriousness, I want this to be amazing for her. It’s your turn to give me something here.”

“Man…” He shook his head and tossed me an amused grin. “I think you have Izzy pegged better than anyone. You’ll do fine.”

I blew out a breath, bolstered by his faith in me and yet still uncertain. “You think?”

Ezra laughed. “I only spent five minutes in a room with you two together, and it was obvious as hell. Now go get ready for your ball already, Cinderella.”

Wrinkling my nose, I shook my head. “I’m not Cinderella.” Then, because I was lame and couldn’t think up a better retort, I said, “Y-you’re Cinderella.”

Ezra blinked. “That has to be the worst comeback in the history of comebacks. Seriously, Hollander, in what universe would I be Cinderella?”

He had a p

oint. But I couldn’t be bested, so I shrugged. “I just saw your closet. Clearly, you have a shoe fetish. One of those fancy loafers has to be missing its pair.”

“Weak,” he told me, chuckling. “Now go, before your lameness becomes contagious.” But he was grinning affably as he said it.

I waved him goodbye before I realized we hadn’t discussed one thing. “Oh! Hey, when do you want this back?” I held up the suit.

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