Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Why not?”
“I wanted to make a good impression. I even had three new suits made, but it all just looks like I’m going to work. I wanted…”
He cut himself off, so I finished for him. “To make Jack realize what he’s missing out on?”
“I suppose so. I also wanted my family to think I’m thriving and taking care of myself, but I’m just going to end up looking like the same old Wesley.”
“Let me help. Despite the fact that I dress like a twelve-year-old, I’m actually good at dressing other people. Show me some of the outfits you’ve planned.”
“It’s just…this.” He went over to a trio of new suits in lightweight, expensive fabrics. One was sand-colored linen, one pale gray, and the last was a really nice shade of marina blue. “I thought I was branching out with these cuts and color choices. They’re a lot more modern than the suits I normally wear. But it just doesn’t seem like enough.”
“The suits are perfect. What are you pairing them with?” He pointed to a rack in the corner, which held six white dress shirts, each draped with a solid-colored bow tie. Beneath them were two pairs of wingtips, one black, one brown. I turned to him and said, “Please don’t take this the wrong way. I think you’re absolutely adorable, and I like the way you dress, but we need to find a time to go shopping. It’s important.”
“Is it that bad?”
“No. It’s not bad at all, but it could be better. For work? You’re totally set. But for a tropical vacation where the goal is to make your ex jealous? We need to turn up the volume.”
“But there’s so little time left, and we’re working opposite hours the rest of the week,” he said.
“I know, so I think you’re just going to have to trust me to go shopping for you.”
I snapped some pictures of his suits, so I’d accurately remember the colors. Then I started reading labels and making a note of his sizes in my phone as I said, “A few pops of color and some nice loafers are going to make a world of difference. You’ll see.”
When I turned to him, I was surprised by all the emotion in his hazel eyes. He drew me into an embrace and murmured, “Thank you. You’re astonishingly kind. I can’t believe you’d go to so much trouble to help someone you barely know.”
“I’m fully invested in making next week great for you, and there’s no reason that can’t include wardrobe assistance. Besides, this is fun for me! It’s like having a life-size Ken doll to dress up.”
Wes chuckled at that, then followed me back to the bedroom. After we both got comfortable in his big bed, I took my time leafing through his sketchbooks. There were a few landscapes and cityscapes, but the only ones of San Francisco were of his view out the living room window. “I need to show you where you’ve been living for the past year,” I said. “There’s so much beauty here.”
When I turned the page, I revealed a watercolor portrait of me, and he murmured, “I know.” I met his gaze, and he offered me a little smile as he took the stack of sketchbooks from me. “It’s late. We should get some sleep.”
He moved the sketchbooks to the floor, and after he turned off the light, we both settled in under the covers. After a pause, he said, “You give me hope.”
“In what way?”
“I was unhappy for such a long time, and I started to think I’d always feel that way. But since you came along, I’m remembering what it feels like to smile, and look forward to things, and to enjoy the moment. I’m so grateful, Ash.”
I usually felt like nothing I did was very important in the grand scheme of things. But hearing that made me feel like I’d finally done something that mattered.
Chapter 6
The next morning, I woke briefly when Wes kissed my forehead and told me he was headed to the pool. It was still dark out. I was vaguely aware of him returning sometime later, taking a shower, and getting dressed. After that, he sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked my hair as he told me we had to get going soon.
I tumbled out of bed and took a quick shower. He’d been considerate enough to move my backpack to the bathroom for me, so I got dressed in the change of clothes I’d brought and brushed my teeth before going in search of my host.
Wes was seated at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal topped with diced apples, his attention on the e-reader in his hand. He didn’t notice me at first, so I took the opportunity to study him. His dark hair was slightly damp, and he was dressed in his usual uniform of a white shirt and dark blue pants, along with a green and navy striped bowtie and a dark green sweater vest.