“I think it’s thirty-one inches.”
“Hmm, I don’t think so.”She pointed to her name tag.“I’m Romona.I’ll measure to be sure, but I’d be willing to bet that you’re more like a twenty-nine.”
“I don’t want anything too tight,” Jamie said as he followed her.
“Not tight but well fitting.”Romona stopped at a rack of men’s trousers.“Let’s try these first.You’ll need to have them hemmed, of course, but I can recommend an alterations place in town.”
Jamie took the black wool pants.They felt amazing.Light, not too heavy and almost silky.
“Go try them on and let me see.”Romona pointed to a dressing room.“I’ll see about some shirts that will go with them.”
Jamie looked at the tag.The size was twenty-nine.He shook his head as he shoved his jeans aside.When he put them on, he was surprised that they fit and weren’t tight at all.He even bent over to be sure.
When Jamie pushed the curtain aside, Romona was waiting for him.She looked him over, making him turn.“Perfect.Now try these on and let me see.”She handed Jamie four dress shirts.
“All of them?”He looked at the shirts—one he was sure he wouldn’t want.
“Yes, all of them.”
The first one he put on was the one he knew for sure he’d reject.Purple was just not him.
Romona fingered the shirt around his waist when he reappeared.
“I don’t like this one,” Jamie stated flatly.
She stopped.“Why?”
“I’m just not a purple-type person.”
Romona took his arm and pushed him in front of a three-sided mirror.“Have a close look.”
Jamie stood there, stunned.He looked...well, good.He turned from side to side.The shirt fit him perfectly.His shoulders looked broader and his waist slim.Jamie looked closer.He was surprised to see that it made his eyes look bluer, and he looked almost tanned.
“See?”Romona had her hands on her hips, her head slightly tilted to one side.“You need color.”
“I do see.”He looked again.Looking at Romona, he said, “I think your talents are wasted here.”
She laughed.“I’m not usually here.I’m the assistant buyer for the department store.I’m just here while inventory is being done.My office is in Atlanta.”
“Okay.Not surprised.”He looked at himself again.“I’m convinced.”
“Now, go and try on the others.I’ll find some more casual shirts for you.”
Jamie turned to go back into the dressing room.“Don’t forget about jeans.”
“I’ve not forgotten.”
Jamie tried on the other three shirts.He liked them all, but Romona talked him out of the green gingham one.
“What about jeans?”Jamie asked, not seeing any in all the clothes she’d brought him to try on.
“To be honest,” she leaned over closer to him and whispered, “You’d be better off going to the Levi outlet.The jeans we carry aren’t...well...”She looked around.“They’re kind of crap.”
Jamie laughed out loud.“Good to know and thank you for that.”
“Will there be anything else I can help you with?”Romona asked as she bagged up all the clothing Jamie had purchased.She needed three large bags, because he’d gotten so much.
“No.”Jamie took the bags from her.“I’ve never bought this many clothes in one go before.I’ve also never had anyone help me like you have.Is there a comment box around here?”
