Page 22 of With Us

I began separating the items before thinking better of it. Dumping them back into the bag, I grabbed it and the shoebox and went into the bathroom. My teeth-chattering-chills increased as I stripped the still damp clothes from my body. In only my underwear and bra, I quickly pulled the items back out of the bag.

The black, stretchy pants were beyond soft and warm. I wanted a full body suit and hat made of the material. Hesitating for a second, I ditched my still rain dampened underwear and pulled the new pants on. Since going braless wasn’t an option, I tried using a paper towel to dry off, but it did little. Giving up, I picked up the new shirt and found a tank top. The tank had a very secure looking built in support. Adding my bra to my ditched panties, I pulled on the top.

Check out my cleavage!

This thing is like a million times better than my bra. It lifts. It separates.

And nothing is digging in!

I double-checked that everything was securely in place before pulling on the fitted short sleeved tee. There was a lightweight hoodie that I almost didn’t want to wear and risk ruining.

Almost.

Tugging it on, I sighed at the feel of the soft inner fabric as I transferred my phone into the pocket. I swapped my wet shoes for the new ones, the arch support nearly making me weep. Hurriedly dumping all the wet stuff into the bag, I dropped it off in the breakroom.

I rushed to unlock the door and start coffee. I barely had my apron tied before a long, steady line formed.

After nearly two hours of smiles, nods, and what seemed like an ocean’s worth of coffee, the morning rush slowed. I took advantage of the break and grabbed my phone.

Me:I hope I’m not waking you. Everything fit perfectly. Thank you.

Theo:Not waking me, but I wouldn’t have minded if you were. I’m glad it fits. Are you warm?

Me:Very. I may never remove this hoodie.

When there was no reply, I returned my phone to my pocket. I fixed a cup of hot coffee and dug into my banana muffin. Only then, when I had time to think, did a couple thoughts strike me.

How much should it have bothered me that, down to my shoes, Theo knew my sizingandmy style?

And how bad was it that it didn’t bother me?

Like, at all.

???

“Dahlia, do you have a second?”

My official shift had ended two hours before, but inventory had kept everyone late. My new shoes were infinitely more comfortable than my old ones, but eighteen hours on my feet still took its toll.

Thank goodness tomorrow is my day to sleep in.

Hiding my disappointment at the hold up, I turned around to face the grocery store manager, Jerry. “Sure, what’s up?”

He ran a hand over his balding head as he looked down at the clipboard. “You’ve worked late every night this week. I was looking at tomorrow’s schedule, and I’m going to have Sophie jump over to cover your department. Take the day off.”

I could see Theo.

And sleep.

“Are you sure?” I stupidly asked.

Good going, now he’s going to change his mind.

I knew better than to tempt things when luck was in my favor.

“Yes, Bill overstaffed half the departments anyway, so this will actually help me lower the labor cost.” Looking up at me, he smiled. “Take the whole weekend. Have fun. Be young. Just don’t be late on Monday because he understaffed.” He returned his attention to the clipboard as he walked away, muttering something I couldn’t make out.

If my feet didn’t feel like they could fall off, I’d have skipped out the door. There was a definite pep in my trudging, though. I took out my phone as I moved. There was a message waiting for me from earlier in the evening.

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