I have a little container of clear hair ties, and I twist and pull up the front of my hair until it’s out of my face. Now, the top is zigzagged in a cute pattern.
“It’s better,” I say critically, shrugging. Nothing is going to change my age. People will either hire me or not.
I have few life skills, haven’t ever held a job before, and have to start somewhere. Yay me.
Shaking out my hands in the hopes of dispelling my nerves, I leave the safety of my nest and meet Cassidy downstairs.
“It’s going to be fine,” she reassures me, ushering me out the door. “Let’s get this nervous energy out with a walk, okay?”
“Sure,” I wheeze out, looking out toward the street. People are living their lives, while I’m losing my shit at something people do all the time.
Linking her fingers with mine, she locks up the house before walking down the stairs with me.
“There’s a boutique I really love that we’re going to go to first,” she says. “Abbott invested in it because of my love of shoes and clothing. I need things that fit right for my body, and they cater to all body types.”
“You have issues because of your height?” I ask, latching onto the topic with both hands.
“Oh yeah,” she says. “The hem isn’t long enough often, and my thighs are really muscular which makes clothes shopping a nightmare. I don’t always have the time for custom made, but this boutique does alterations as part of its services. The owner used to work somewhere else. When I heard she was branching off, Abbott offered to invest in her company.”
“Strategic,” I say without thinking.
“Exactly,” she says, grinning at me. “He did the same for a couple of restaurants and a shoe shop I’m obsessed with. You don’t have to wait for the world to accept you, Winter. You can make it bend for you instead.”
The anxiety begins to bleed out of my body as we walk, and I nod, starting to understand what she means.
“Female alphas consistently get this reputation for being bitches,” Cassidy explains. “I will be sweet as coconut cream pie, until you give me a reason to fuck you up. Even then, I’ll wait until I can do it without affecting the people around me. You’ll never see me get shitty in a public place. I will show my displeasure with a butter won’t melt in my mouth expression, and handle it accordingly later. It’s why Abbott and I handle our more legitimate businesses.”
Her voice drops as she speaks, her tone sweet and cultured. There’s a southern lilt in there that shows she grew up in Savannah, and it reminds me of the way Lyle speaks. Dulcet accent, even when she’s cursing you out.
Shaking my head as I remember the proud smiles Bell and our pack gave for the camera after they killed the man who raped me at The Hug Project, I count myself very lucky. I’m scent matched to people who, for all their murderous intentions, are good fucking people.
The breeze is cool in the face of the warm day, and I’m glad this skirt is so light and airy. Any day I’m able to see the sun is a good one, so I can’t complain about the heat. I won’t even think about it. I’m not in a cage or held against my will.
I’m going to treasure it.
“Here we are,” Cassidy announces, stopping me. I was in a groove and in my head, and would have kept walking.
Glancing at the large window, I see the display that fills it. This means people won’t be able to see the inside past it, which gives me another measure of security. The bracelet my pack gave me is still on my wrist, and I know Bell is wearing his as well.
Little things like this make me feel better about working too. Just because I feel like this is a milestone in my life I should experience, doesn’t mean I don’t have reservations about it. Yet, the need to do it overrides that worry.
I’m here, I’m finding a damn job. I don’t want to be home all day while Bell is gone.
Cassidy opens the door, and I step tentatively inside, taking in the store. The material looks soft and breathable, and there’s all kinds of different types of clothing here.
“Walk around and see what you think,” she advises. “I’ll keep the staff busy.”
Her face says that she’ll keep them more than busy, and I hold in my laugh as I continue walking. The staff immediately comes over to Cassidy with friendly smiles, and I shake my head as she asks to see a new dress that was supposed to come in.
Content knowing I won’t be accosted or thrown out for not being “fancy” enough, I reach out to touch a skirt with beautiful movement. I may not know what’s currently in style or what people are excited about in the fashion world, but I do know fabric.
I started finding any reason to escape my mom’s pack and our home early on. It started in sixth grade, and costume creation for plays the theater kids put on was a perfect excuse. Long hours after school spent sewing, altering, and learning new ways to make costumes made me appreciate what it takes to make clothing.
Getting lost in the aisles of dresses, suits, and timeless pieces, I smile at how beautiful it all is. I wouldn’t mind working here part time as their alterations person if they’ll allow me to. Each piece of clothing is functional and I smile as I lovingly touch a gown covered in sequins.
I remember my mother once shopping to attend a party with Alan, bemoaning how difficult it was to find a store with beautiful dresses at the last minute. She would love this place.
“Hi, can I help you?” a woman asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
