Page 27 of Animal Beats

“I guess I should,” he grumbles. “I do appreciate not causing a stir.” He pulls out a soft green. “What do you think?”

My index finger runs over my lips. “I like the material, but I think you’d do better with more jewel colors. How about royal blue?”

“You know, Nese said the same thing to me.” He returns the shirt and holds up a purple one. “What about this?”

I smile. “Oh! I like it.”

“Great. I’ll take it and the blue one.” He puts two shirts over his arm. “Okay. I’m done. This is killing me.”

“You’ve been here for like ten minutes.” I could never imagine such a short shopping spree. I spent two hours with my sister looking for a singular dress recently.

“Which is nine too long. Come over here with me.” He walks toward an oversized chair and sits down, letting his new clothes drape over his body.

He looks adorable. Without thought, I pick up my camera and take several shots. I bet fans would love to see this side of the band. “Stay here.” I approach 007, Coop, and Tris and snap photos of them shopping. When I walk over to Bennett, Jenna’s holding up a green sweater against his torso.

She smiles at me. “Oh, Hayden. Perfect. What do you think?”

“Looks great. Matches his eyes.” I’m not a stylist, but even a blind person could see that. Bennett can be many things, but hard on the eyes he is not.

“Fine,” he grumbles. “Are you done?”

When Jenna nods, he takes his new clothes and lumbers toward the rest of the band. Jenna and I exchange glances, trying not to laugh. I lean closer. “Guess all the guys feel the same way.”

“All but Tristan,” she replies, and we both look at the most fashionable member of UC. She continues, “Nese makes the rest of them go shopping every so often, I think, as a way to teach them to take better care of their clothes.” She waves at Nese, across the store.

Since I have Jenna almost to myself, I ask, “Everything good back in Aroostook? No more spiders, I presume?” I refer to the graffiti she had to deal with a couple of months ago.

“All done, thanks to Bennett and your great PR team. I really appreciate your helping with the bumper stickers. They were a big help.”

“If I remember correctly, you played a major role in creating them. It was a team effort.” I nod toward her other half. “I’m happy everything worked out for you guys.”

She gives me a hug. “It was a long road, but we’re here now. I feel so blessed.”

Nese motions for Jenna to help her as she works with Bennett, so I join Río. “What did Nese say?”

“She liked it all. Appreciate the help. Sometimes these things can drag on for hours, and I don’t really give a shit, you know?”

By “hours,” my guess is thirty minutes, but I keep my thought to myself. “Happy to be of service.”

Nese waves me over. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” I cross the room. “What’s up? Looks like everyone has their new clothes well in hand.”

“They do. But I found one more thing.” She holds up a gold and white dress with a scarf-edge bottom and a halter top. “This will look amazing on you.”

“Oh Nese. This is beautiful!” I allow my fingers to skim over the soft material, picturing the gorgeous dress on my body. I flip the price tag and reality sets in. If only. I shake my head. “I don’t have any place to wear such a thing.”

“Of course you do. You’re at a UC concert almost every night. Followed by a different club.” She shakes the hanger.

I long to cradle the dress against my body but resist the temptation. What will make my tenacious friend back off? “I have plenty of clothes.”

“Girl! No one has enough clothes.” Her gaze darts over to the shoe section, then her face brightens. “OMG. These heels would look fab with it. Here.” She shoves the dress at my chest and scampers toward the shoes.

For one second, I move to a full-length mirror and allow the dress to lie against my body. I adore the hemline as much as the halter. This dress isn’t meant for work, though, which is what going to concerts and clubs is for me. Besides, no way do I have the money to pay for it. I blink several times, then sigh.

Nese returns to my side carrying pretty gold shoes that do, in fact, match the dress. “You have to try these on! Prove I’m the best stylist around.”

What harm can come of trying this on? “I’m not buying this outfit,” I protest. As she pushes me toward the dressing rooms, I notice the band surrounding the registers. “I better not. Looks like the band is checking out.”

One pierced eyebrow rises. “From what I see, we have another fifteen minutes before they’re done.” She shoves me into the stall. “Just hurry!”