“No one.”
Marius gave me a long look then said, “I’m grabbing drinks with some guys from law school. You want to come? You’ve met them before. You might have fun.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. I have plans.”
“You have a date?” His face lit up.
“I don’t have a date,” I said irritably, “just plans.”
“Sure. Okay. I’ll text you the address if you change your mind.”
This was a terrible idea.
Wasn’t it creepy to be buying shoes for your assistant?
Lexi needs shoes. This is a good deed, like delivering gift cards to the women’s shelter.
The action was different though. Shoes felt intimate.
“Can I help you?”
The saleswoman took one look at my bespoke suit and expensive watch and had clearly made up her mind that she was going to sell me something.
“I need a pair of black women’s shoes. For a friend, for a gift.”
Lexi wasn’t my friend, I didn’t have friends, but I couldn’t very well tell this woman that I was purchasing high-heeled shoes for my assistant.
“Black,” I added. “Leather. Conservative. For an office environment.”
“Got it.”
She went to a wall and picked up a simple black heel. It sort of looked like the ones Lexi wore that were falling apart.
“Are these well-made?” I asked. “Can someone walk miles in them and they won’t fall apart?”
“As long as your friend isn’t trying to go hiking in them, then yes. These shoes are made in Italy, and each shoe is handcrafted. They’re all leather and very well-made. There’s a lifetime warranty.”
“Very well. I will take one pair.”
“What size?” the saleswoman asked.
What … size?
The back of my neck felt itchy.
What size did Lexi wear?
How would I know? It’s not like I was close enough to her to ever measure her feet.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
“How tall is she?”
I showed the saleswoman where Lexi came on my body.
Because she was standingrightnext to you.
“About five feet tall. She probably wears about a size six, but it could be bigger or smaller,” the saleswoman determined.
