Page 99 of Out on a Limb
She pointed at the t-shirt I’d pulled on after taking the fastest shower ever recorded. “Like you don’t own anything besides gym clothes and work uniforms?”
“Like that.” It was true, though. Almost my entire wardrobe consisted of either what I wore to work or what I wore to work out.
Because that’s what my life consisted of, up until recently.
Very recently.
A man who looked more suited to be the one taking Collette out tonight stood at one of the racks, organizing a row of shirts lined on wood hangers.
“Benjamin, we need help.” Julia rolled her eyes my way. “A lot of it.”
The man stepped out from behind the wall of clothing and I started second-guessing my decision to call Julia for help.
Benjamin was wearing bright orange pants, shoes with no socks, and a V-neck shirt that made it clear he had a gym wardrobe of his own. He was perfectly groomed with slicked-back hair and neat eyebrows.
I was in the wrong place.
“Stop.” Julia grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the back of the store.
“Stop what?” A line of pants printed with lemons caught my eye and slowed my feet.
I wasn’t wearing lemon pants. Not even for Collette.
“Stop freaking out.” She pulled open a door on one of the changing room stalls, then she shoved me inside. “Take your clothes off.”
The door slammed shut and I was faced with a choice.
March out and go back home where I belonged…
Or get naked.
A pair of pants slapped me in the head.
“I thought you were in a hurry.” Julia sent a shirt over the top of the door. “But a man who was in a hurry would already be naked.”
“How do you know I’m not naked?” I caught a brown belt woven from narrow strands of leather before it had a chance to take out an eyeball.
“Because I can see your feet.” Julia’s voice moved lower. “What size shoe do you wear?”
This was already getting out of hand. “I don’t need shoes.”
Julia cackled from the other side of the door. “You for sure do.”
I grabbed the pants as I toed off the loafer’s I’d owned since my job interview with Ruby Johnson over five years ago.
Julia’s hand darted under the door to snag one. “Benjamin, he needs shoes.”
I held up the pants she’d passed over. They looked a little small, but at least they were plain.
I shucked my pants and pulled on the army green slacks, which ended up not being tight.
Just very, very fitted.
As fitted as the black button-up short-sleeved shirt she’d given me to go with them.
I opened the door. “I don’t think this is what I’m looking for.”
“Ugh.” Julia came my way, rolling her eyes. “You and Grant.”
