Page 27 of Crazy Thing

I stand there, awkwardly modeling the clothes in the tiny space. I haven’t felt this uncomfortable since my mother forced me into a gross, expensive designer dress for my high school graduation.

Don’t get me wrong—everything my friends have brought is really nice. And I know that they’re making this effort out of love. But these outfits are just not…me.

Alana and Meghan usually wear medical scrubs all day at the veterinary clinic where they work. Emma’s wardrobe consists mainly of athleisure items since she began writing romance novels and being a big-time author for a living.But Nadia’s a girl boss lawyer in the corporate world so her professional wardrobe is top-tier. Still, these clothes feel a bit stuffy on me.

“Your stuff is very cute and fashionable. But I don’t know about this,” I mutter, biting my lip and pulling at the fabric near my neckline.“Is this…polyester?”

Nadia winces. “Um…maybe?”

“But you look amazing, though,” Meghan says comfortingly. “And your professional wardrobe definitely needs a little spiritual awakening of its own.” She shifts through my collection of tunics and cardigans and wide-legged pants hanging from a hook beside my couch.

I feel myself start to panic. “Guys, I can't breathe in clothes that have a higher thread count than my dreamcatcher. Plus, these blouses and skirts are practically new. Surely, you don’t want to just give them away to me.”

I prefer clothing with some sustainability and natural fibers. I can’t feel good about wearing materials that contribute to waste and pollution, especially when there’s plenty of great items already available at the thrift stores. I don’t judge my friends’ clothing choices, in the slightest but this is not for me.

Truthfully, if the girls were offering some longer skirts or more playful patterns, I’d be all for rocking their second-hand items to my office job.Besides, these styles would look way better on my fashionista sister than they would on me.

Sitting on the floor, Sparkle’s amused giggles fill the bus as the toddler entertains herself by trying on the various headpieces from my bohemian hat collection.

“Well, Meghan’s right though. You look hot. And maybe this change will be good for you,” Alana suggests as she slips her son over her shoulder and softly pats his tiny, hiccuping back. “But your individuality is what we love about you, Zig. We’d never want you to be uncomfortable.”

I shimmy out of the pencil skirt and hand it back to Nadia to fold. Gosh—my no-go pile will be through the roof by the time we’re done here.

I’d love to humor the girls. But I promised myself I could never fake it again after all those years of giving into my parents and trying to be someone I’m not.I could never ‘sell out’.

“Sorry, guys. I’m not letting the corporate world change me. My usual attire will be fine, right?” I get a couple of reluctant nods. “Besides, my goal is to save the waterfall for my Starlight Falls friends, and that’s all. It shouldn’t matter whether I’m wearing Armani or my homemade peasant skirt.”

“Are yousurethat’s the only thing that’s going on here?” Emma asks suspiciously. “I’m not saying you have a crush on Darius Brighton. But that kind of passionate rage you have against him usually means…something. I’m speaking as a romance writer here.”

“Uh-huh,” Meghan hums.“And I’d bet he has a crush on you. I’ll say it again—billionaires don’t throw their money around for no reason.”

Grrr!When it comes to relationships, my girls think they have it all figured out. To be fair, they do.

They all happen to be married to their very own Westbrook brother. Those guys were once considered to be themost eligible bachelors in Honey Hill. Now, Cash, Davis, Harry and Jasperliveto obsess over their wives.

Sure, I’d like to have a partner to share my life with. But in my experience as a psychic, I’ve come to realize that, unfortunately, romantic love isn’t in the cards for everyone.

Especiallynot for a girl like me.

And besides, I’m not willing to accept any old relationship just so I don’t have to be alone. If the soul-deep connection isn’t there, I don’t want it.

I scoff. “No. Darius?No.” I almost laugh. “They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Well, if I’m working as Darius’s assistant, I get to keep a watchful eye on him to make sure he doesn’t betray the town. That’s all it is.” I grab the wine bottle, emptying the contents down my throat.

The girls don’t seem convinced but Emma’s the only one who dares to say so out loud. She smirks at me. “I guess we’ll see how this plays out.”

13

DARIUS

“Is it done yet?” I rumble as a greeting when I answer my bluetooth.

“Not exactly,” my lawyer answers.

I sigh. This isnotthe news I was hoping to hear.

Frank’s unfavorable response prompts me to push my gas pedal closer to the floor of my car. I’m on my way to the office, and it doesn’t really matter how early it is. I’m always in a hurry.

But I’d say I’m a little more pissed off than usual. I blame it on the nonstop fantasy of Ziggy that plagued my mind all night.

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