Moving to LA was so worth blowing my life up.
Chapter 13
Chase
ChasejoggedcasuallyalongVenice beach toward Santa Monica. He was still on a high from the night before with Maggie.Minnesota Maggie.He smiled thinking of the way she said “oh yeah, for sure” like she was straight out of the movie Fargo. He was excited to see her again, but nervous about her plans to change up his wardrobe.
It was a cool sixty-degree LA morning, so Chase had his sweatshirt hood up as he approached Urban Wear LA. As he peered into the store, he immediately began to regret agreeing to a makeover. He glimpsed a white denim jacket, tight ripped skinny jeans, and some sort of leather boat shoes.This is so not me…
He was contemplating walking past when Maggie appeared and opened the door. “Well hello there, sir. Can I help you?”
Chase pulled down his hood. “Ah, I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m cool enough for this store.”
“Oh, you definitely are. Right this way.” Maggie’s eyes glimmered as she held open the door.
Chase’s nerves disappeared in her presence. However, his conviction that he was not the right match for Urban Wear LA remained.
“Do you have a big and tall section? All these clothes look like they’re made for preteens.”
Maggie pursed her lips to hold back a grin. “C’mon we can find you something.”
“And if she can’t. I definitely can,” a tiny woman appeared. Chase blinked.Did she step out of a magazine?Everything about her appearance was flawless. She wore a tight black dress, cheetah print high heels, and neon pink nail polish. She resembled a barbie doll rather than an actual human being.
Extending her hand she chirped, “Hi gorgeous, I’m Ada—Maggie’s boss.”
“Nice to meet you.” Chase tried to shake her hand lightly. She was so itty-bitty compared to him that he worried he might crush her fingers.
Ada continued, “Normally, I get first dibs on all the good-looking customers but because you’re a friend of Maggie’s, I’ll let her assist you. But, if you needanythingjust let me know.” She looked back at Chase as she strode away towards the checkout counter.
Maggie gently moved Chase toward the back of the store. “Sorry about that. Ada has a big personality. I have no idea if she likes me or hates me, but she definitely likes you.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that.” Chase rubbed the stubble forming on his jaw.
Maggie smiled up at him. “So… ready to cowboy up?”
“To be honest, looking around this place… I don’t see anything authentically cowboy. I mean, I grew up on a farm so I have real boots and a real cowboy hat that I can use.”
“That’s a good start, but remember we’re going forurbancowboy. We’re trying to bring in your country roots, but also blend in some trendy LA style.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
“Well, I’m kind of new to the stylist business, but I think I’m starting to get the hang of it. I picked out a few things. How about you just try them on and if you hate them, totally fine.”
“Alright, I’m up for it.” Chase tucked his hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants. He normally hated trying on clothes, but for Maggie, he was game.
“Here’s what I have… This shirt is similar to a henley, you know the ones that have three buttons down the front? For jeans, I thought we’d try some dark denim with a few rips in them. For shoes, definitely wear your real cowboy boots.”
“What about my cowboy hat?”
“I personally love a good cowboy hat, but if we’re going for urban cowboy maybe we should leave that off for now. What do you think? Ready to try some stuff on?”
Chase looked down at the ground and then slowly up at Maggie. “Let’s giddy up!”
Chapter 14
Maggie
Maggieblewoutabreath as Chase stepped out of the dressing room. She would have whistled if she knew how.
