“True. Girls don’t like me. I don’t know why. Probably jealous.”
A blush spread on her chest. I had insulted her again. I replayed what I said but wasn’t sure. I noticed she said ridiculous things like that the more upset she was.
“Don’t misinterpret me. I think the choice is very flattering to your figure. It’s just not right for our purposes.”
She glanced up at me. “Oh. Okay.” She looked in the direction of where the lady had been.
“And she was definitely jealous,” I said it without thinking. I didn’t know why. Except it was likely true. Or she was another person judging Suzie with only a look. Like I had. No, like Bouffant had.
That woman could keep her looks and sighs to herself. “It’s those looks and comments that we are trying to avoid. She is judging you and has no idea what you’re capable of. Prove her wrong.”
She rolled her eyes but her mouth quirked into a smile. It was rare when Suzie directed her smiles in my direction. She often yielded them as a weapon on other men but I had yet to be the receiver of a genuine one. It was heady stuff. When her eyes locked on me it was as though the things I did and said mattered. It made me want to be better.
“Thank you for saying that.” She placed her hands on my chest and she gently backed me to the waiting area again until I dropped into a chair.
My mind instantly jumped to the last time she pushed me into a chair, her hands running up my thighs, her hips grinding over me. My pulse began to race with hope despite my brain’s pragmatism. She wouldn’t do that here. Right? What would the point be? But I mean, if she felt it necessary, who was I to stop her? There went those wild thoughts again.
She smirked at me. “I’ll be right back. I’m just messing with you. I got other clothes.”
I cleared my throat, unable to speak. There was nothing pressing to say at that moment anyway. I shifted in my chair and adjusted my tight pants.
Since it was just us now, I called out, “You don’t have many girlfriends?”
“Not really,” she called back. “There’re some girls at the club that I get along with okay enough. But I don’t have time for friends.”
I added “make friends with women” to the growing list in my notebook.
She stuck her head out. “I know you’re not adding that to the list.”
I tucked the notebook away.
She tracked my movements. “Hey, what about you? Where are all your friends?”
“I have Jack.”
“That’s one.”
“One best friend is more than enough.”
“He's your best friend?” She grinned. Her dark locks brushed against white shoulders as she leaned out of the doorway.
“More like a brother.” I trailed off as my gaze moved to her exposed skin. Did the bare shoulders mean she was naked? Was her bra draped carelessly across the floor? What was she doing in there? What would she do if I came into the room and pulled the door closed behind me? Would she stop talking if I pushed her up against the wall and kissed her?
“UT Professor Caught Performing Lewd Sex Act in Department Store.”
I swallowed. I was no better than most men. My attraction was getting worse the more time I spent with her. What I found crude and off-putting at first, I now understood as a front. Everything she did was an act to protect herself by playing into society’s expectations.
“That's sweet.” When I looked back up to her face, she was still smiling but with a heated look in her eyes. I couldn’t remember what we had been discussing. I bent over and focused on fixing the cuff of my pants.
She came out a few times in various combinations of pants and skirts and tops with sweaters and scarves that suited her nicely. They were modest but appeared fashionable. With every outfit, her smile grew at her reflection.
“This stuff isn’t too bad is it?”
I nodded.
“And I’ll be a lot warmer. And look, pockets! Pockets everywhere.” She slipped her hands in the long cardigan and twirled.
I smiled. It couldn’t be helped.
