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Chapter Three
Saylor
After fifteen minutes of hanging out in the women’s restroom, I tug on the neckline of my sweater to reshape it. It was hard enough to look in the mirror before I saw the profile photo of Madyson on Knox’s cellphone.
The woman is stunning, and I’m dumpy at best. She’s on the cover of fashion magazines wearing designer clothing. Tall, slender, perfectly proportioned breasts that compliment her clothes. What do I do to my clothes? I stretch them out from my ten extra pounds and need alterations for the pants so the hems don’t drag the ground.
When is long enough? I lift my arm. Sixteen minutes. Surely, he’s finished the conversation by now. Just a bit more time.
While we were building the train track, I fantasized he was interested in me–only for a minute. I roll my eyes. Okay, fine. I’ve fantasized a lot of times about him. But this was the first time I pretended it was possible someone like him–a gorgeous, muscular, professional football player–could find me attractive.
And then his girlfriend called.
Now, I feel silly for considering it. He assisted the mousy girl who wasn’t bright enough to make two trips from her vehicle to her office. Which was kind of him. His mom did a great job of teaching him manners.
Seventeen minutes. That should be long enough. I nod, grab the door handle, and step into the hallway.
A couple of women who’ve befriended me wave as they step off the elevator. Ashley’s office is on the same floor as mine, and Dani, her best friend, is a personal trainer for the team. Both women are married to players on the football team. Lucky girls.
“Saylor.” Ashley smiles and gives me a one-arm hug. “Did you consider our offer?”
Heat warms my chest. “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s not putting us out. It was our idea in the first place.” Ashley stands back and braces her hands on her hips. She’s the type of woman who goes at life full steam ahead. I wish I could bottle some of that up for myself.
“Ash is right. We’d love to go with you to Flawless by Leah. The place is phenomenal.” Dani spins in a circle, causing her ponytail to swish across her back. “Don’t worry that you won’t fit in. As you can tell, I’m not high maintenance.”
She’s wearing black athletic leggings and a white t-shirt. Leah Gregg has a professional stylist business on The Plaza that they’ve told me all about. They specialize in complete makeovers from clothing to hair and make-up. That’s so not my thing.
“I hope that doesn’t mean you think I’m high-maintenance.” Ashley pins Dani with a look. She’s wearing a royal blue pencil skirt and a bright-colored floral button-down top with sleeves that end mid-forearm. Her red-painted lips are wide in a big grin.
Dani’s face is devoid of make-up, making her appear fresh and young as she rolls her eyes. “Of course, I do.”
“Okay, I’m a little high-maintenance, but I’m loveable.”
“Yes, you are.” Dani winks.
I learned quickly that Ashley and Dani are complete opposites, but they’ve been best friends since they were young girls.
Dani returns her attention back to me. “You don’t have to dramatically change your wardrobe or your overall look. They aren’t demanding or pushy in their sales practices. It’s a lot of fun and informal. I’ve never been confident as a girlygirl but being married to Gunner, we attend social activities requiring me to show up in something besides athletic wear. Thank God they helped me discover what I’d feel comfortable wearing. Now, I love going to his events.”
I wipe my hands on my jeans. “I’ve thought about it.”
Before speaking to Knox earlier today, I planned to gently turn them down because blowing them off wouldn’t work. Ashley would’ve stalked me until I gave her a firm yes or no answer. But after the reminder that a man like him would never notice me, I need a pick me up. “I would love to go. It sounds fascinating.”
Ashley’s eyes light up, and she claps. “Excellent. I can’t wait. It’s so much fun.”
The heating system kicks on, and warm air blows down, causing a strand of hair to sweep across my face. I step out from under the vent and tuck the hair behind my ear. I don’t remember the last time I went shopping. I prefer to order things online to save myself the hell of trying on clothes and standing in front of those full-length mirrors. I always look like a zombie or a ghost under that yellow-green lighting. And let’s not even get into the sales’ women who are perfectly groomed and dressed to the nines. They make me feel inadequate.
“Great.” Dani smiles. “Don’t worry about the outcome. If your personality doesn’t fit with bright-colored clothes or stiff, formal clothing, then that isn’t what you’ll walk out wearing. My personality leans toward comfort, and if I’m dressing up, the clothes I pick are made from soft, stretchy material. You aren’t going to see me in taffeta and lace.”
Before my mom died, we went a few times, but I was still a pre-teen. And my grandma was older, so I’ve never had the opportunity to go shopping with other women. Not to mention, I’m interested in finding out my personality style and whether it makes a difference when making clothing selections. Not that they’ll succeed in turning me into a supermodel, but it might feel good to wear something besides sweatpants and jeans.
Ashley winks. “And if you’re more comfortable in zebra stripes and leopard spots, they’ll have just the thing for you.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s me.” I cringe at the image she invokes.
“I promise. It’s a lot of fun.” Dani rubs my upper back.
