Page 51 of Wild About You
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
“Any time. Now, food?”
She shakes her head. “No, now we go to the men’s department.”
I groan.
“Just let me pick out one outfit for you?” She sticks out her bottom lip. “I’ll put one of mine back.”
“No, that’s not…” I sigh. “Okay, you can pick out one outfit for me. But I’m not trying it on in the store and nothing pink. I can’t pull it off.”
She squeals with excitement as she rushes off to the men’s section. My daily attire is all about function. I wear workout clothes or suits, there really isn’t any in-between. I own two pairs of jeans that I rotate for anything that I can’t wear my suit or sweats for, but that basically consists of hanging around the house.
I follow behind her, offering up answers to questions like jeans and shirt size, but otherwise she doesn’t ask for my input.
“Okay,” she says finally. She lifts an off-white sweater in one hand and a pair of black jeans with holes in the knees in the other.
“I think I’d rather wear your white crop top sweater,” I say.
“You’re funny.” She spins on her heel. “Hurry up. I’m starving.”
* * *
After shopping, we grab something to eat from the food court.
“This was fun,” I say as I toss a chip in my mouth. I have to stick at least somewhat to a decent diet during the season so it’s a sub and chips for me. Everly is scarfing down pizza that makes me wish I’d become something else, like a banker or realtor, or anything that doesn’t mean giving up pizza for a large portion of the year.
“Stop staring at my food.” Ev sits back, laughing. “Go get your own.”
“Can’t. I’ve put on like ten pounds of lean muscle since I joined the team.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Talked to Mom lately?”
“A little. She called to make sure I was still in school and that you haven’t left me to fend for myself.”
I clamp my mouth shut. I have a lot of feelings about my mom backing off from Everly when she clearly needs guidance and support more than ever, but I’m trying really hard not to jade Ev with my shit.
“Oh, this is so good.” Everly takes another bite and lets her eyes fall closed.
“You’re mocking me, right?”
“Maybe.” She grins. “Thank God for Piper. We finally have something to eat around the house that isn’t chicken, fish, and protein drinks.”
“How was it while I was gone?”
“I like Piper. She’s great. If I have to have a babysitter, then I’m glad it’s her. I see why you were so crazy in love with her. Plus, she’s really hot. Way too hot for you.”
I choke around my food. I take a drink, and then say, “You’re the second person to say that to me. Thanks a lot,sis.”
A slow smile spreads across her lips. “Seriously, though. I understand now.”
“Understand what?”
“Why you are still so hung up on her and haven’t dated anyone else.”
“Who says I haven’t dated anyone else?”
