Page 8 of His Secret Virgin
Chapter 4
Emma
Pink chiffon scarves littered the counter as I tagged them before putting them on display. Laney came out of the back with another box. “These were just delivered. I’m so happy they came in. These pink sunglasses will look so good displayed with those scarves you picked out.”
“I think so too.” I picked up a handful of the scarves. “I’ll use that display stand over there since we’ll be adding the sunglasses.”
Laney put her hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Hang on a minute.” Slipping a pair of sunglasses on me, she looked me over, and then took a scarf out of my hand to wrap it around my neck loosely. “Yes, you look great in pale pink. It goes so well with your golden-brown hair and green eyes.” A smile curved her lips. “You keep these. And start wearing some of these clothes, Emma. You make them look great. It’ll boost sales.”
Ducking my head, I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment. “I can’t accept these.”
“You can.” Laney took the scarves from me. “I tell you what, go pick out an entire outfit to match the glasses and scarf. Then go put it on, and cut the tags off. I’m serious. I want you to wear the clothes I have on my racks, girl. You’ve got a great body, and you’re so pretty too! I need to use that to get some sales.”
Running my hand over my large hips, I had to disagree. “Laney, I don’t have a great body. I’ve got a greatbigbody.” Looking in the full-length mirror, I shook my head at my reflection. “My butt is big—and not in a good way.”
Laughter pealed through the air. “Your butt is fantastic, Emma. Go, pick out an outfit.” I saw her fishing through a basket full of makeup. “And once you’re all dressed, I’ll do your makeup.”
“My dad will get mad if I come home with makeup on, Laney.” Saying it made me feel like a little kid, but it was true; he would get mad at me if I came home like that.
“Then you can wash it off before you leave.” She put some of the things she’d found on the counter as she looked at me with a no-nonsense expression. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Knowing she wouldn’t let me get out of it, I turned away to find something to match the new accessories. I found a blouse with blues and purples and the slightest bit of pale pink. Pairing the shirt with a pair of billowy white slacks, I felt good about the outfit I picked out. “You like this, Laney?”
She shook her head. “Pick out something that will flatter your figure, not hide it. What you’ve got there is more for a woman with thirty extra pounds to hide.” She eyed something across the boutique and went for it. “Like this.”
After putting the clothes I’d picked back on their racks, I turned to find her holding up a top with a plunging neckline and a pale pink pencil skirt that would fit me like a glove.
“No way.”
Cocking one brow, she laid down the law. “Yes way. Put them on. I’ll grab a pair of heels to round this all out.”
In the dressing room I pulled off the loose-fitting dress I’d worn to work. Staring at my reflection, I looked at my white cotton panties that covered my stomach to just below my belly button. My bra was on the bulky side to help hold up my big breasts. I hated my body. My tummy wasn’t flat, but round like the rest of my body. Thick upper thighs turned into skinny calves and bony ankles. With a sigh, I put on the clothes I never would’ve chosen for myself and found that my panties and bra made the clothes look bulky; the outfit definitely didn’t fit the way it would if I had something less unwieldy on underneath.
I went out to show Laney. “See, this won’t work.”
She looked me over as she walked toward me with a pair of four-inch lilac heels. “Not with that bra and underwear.” Shaking her head, she walked over to the lingerie section and picked out a white satin set. “Put these on too. And do yourself a favor, Emma, throw all those granny panties out and those bras too. Invest in some cute unmentionables.” She finished that off with a wink.
“I can’t. Not right now, anyway.” I took what she gave me then went back into the dressing room to start all over again.
With the right undergarments, it looked much nicer. “Wow, I look like I could work in an office or something.”
“Wait until I do your hair and makeup.” As the store wasn’t busy at all, Laney set to work on me. It helped to fill our time, and Laney seemed thrilled with the results. “Wow, you look so different.”
Just as she finished, one of our regulars came in and looked right at me. “Oh, hello,” she said politely before looking at Laney. “You hired a new girl?”
Laney laughed then bumped her shoulder to mine. “See, you do look different.”
“It’s me, Mrs. Hampton.” I couldn’t believe she hadn’t recognized me. “Emma.”
“No!” she said as she looked me over. “Emma Hancock, I can’t believe how great you look all dressed up and made up. You look so mature! You should keep this new look up.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I knew that wasn’t an option. “This makeup will have to go before I leave the boutique.” I pointed at the low-cut shirt. “And this will have to come off, too, I’m afraid.” Running my hand over my hip where the skirt hugged me tightly, I was sad to add it to the list of things that would have to come off before I went home. “This, too, unfortunately.”
Laney gave me one ugly look. “No way, Emma. Tell your archaic father that I said it’s part of your uniform for work. What can he say if you tell him that?”
I wasn’t sure what he’d say. “Well, I do have to keep this job—he’ll agree with that,” I said with meaning.
Mrs. Hampton’s expression turned to one of compassion. “I heard about the closure of his warehouse. That’s tough. And there’s not a lot for the workers to do around here. My nephew worked there as a loader. He packed up and moved all the way to Utah for a job. He’s got some family there that he can stay with until he gets on his feet.”
