“Hey, I’m not Roger. You can’t just bark orders at me.”
I glance back at her with a small smile. “It was worth a shot.”
Fourteen
“Wow.Youfoundapair of jeans,” Dax jokes, clapping his hands.
It’s the next day and my driver has dropped me at the strip mall, where Dax is ready and waiting. My jaw almost hits the floor when he’s out of his usual uniform.
“Where’s the leather jacket?” I ask, stopping by his motorcycle.
He laughs, perched against the motorcycle in ripped black skinny jeans that only make his legs look more muscular. The white T-shirt he wears serves as the perfect canvas to highlight the pendant hanging from his neck.
Dax pats the denim jacket hanging over the handlebars. “I thought this was less of a walking advertisement.” He looks me up and down and whistles. “How do you still look like a million bucks in regular clothes?”
I had Claudia snoop through Christie’s wardrobe for something I could wear. The blue jeans are a great fit. The lilac T-shirt has a nice cut, although loose fitting. I even snagged a pair of white sneakers, and didn’t bring a purse. Instead, I have only my phone, which sits in my back pocket.
“I borrowed them from my brother’s girlfriend,” I admit. “We’re not allowed to dress casually at home, but Christie’s parents aren’t as strict. Unfortunately, their nurturing vibe hasn’t rubbed off on my dad.”
“Are they over at your place a lot?”
I nod, twisting my bracelet around my wrist. “Yeah, they live at the manor with us.”
Dax’s eyebrows raise, and surprise releases in his laugh. “Wow. Your brother has his girlfriend under the same roof? Bet you don’t see a lot of them.”
“Dad made him move into another wing, but yes, they’re inseparable.”
Dax tilts his head, gauging my emotions. “Are you jealous of them?”
I look down pensively and shake my head. “No. I’m just surprised my brother started dating. He was never the type. It was a shock when I came back from Switzerland. We used to stick together through all the family drama, but now he has her to lean on.”
“Aww.” Dax throws an arm around my shoulders. “Well, I don’t mind if you lean on me.”
I rest my head on his chest. “Thanks.”
“Okay, should we get this tux fitting out of the way?”
I lift my head and tug on Dax’s hand. “Yes! Come with me.”
“Wow. You’re way too excited.”
I giggle, leading this gorgeous hunk inside the building. I made an appointment with Ralph, the best tailor in the mountains’ area. He greets us with his trademark slight nod and barely visible smile. His gray hair is slicked back, and oversized, black-framed glasses frame his eyes. He wears a maroon velvet suit with a navy dress shirt and a polka-dotted tie.
“Vanessa Ashworth.” Ralph’s arms glide into the air. “Lovely to see you again, my dear.”
I kiss his cheek. “You too. Dax, this is Ralph. He makes all my father and brother’s suits.”
Ralph kisses my hand. “It’s always a pleasure doing business with the Ashworth family.” He then turns to Dax and shakes his hand. “Looks like this is your first tailor fitting.”
Dax looks Ralph up and down. “What gave you that impression?”
I place my hand on Dax’s upper arm. “Yes, Ralph, it’s his first fitting. Plus, we need your top-shelf materials because he’s escorting me to the upcoming gala for St. Mark’s Hospital.”
Ralph flings a measuring tape over his shoulder and turns on his heels. “Let’s not waste another moment then.”
Before entering the fitting area, Ralph gives Dax a pair of dress pants to try on for size. He then frowns, remarking, “I see you’re already wearing an undershirt.”
I cup a hand over my mouth, muffling my laugh as Dax pulls at his white T-shirt.
