I Knew You Were Trouble - Cassie Mae Page 0,22

size, my lip curling at the rips that travel from ankle to hip. I mean, at that point, why wear pants at all?

I shake my head and hook them back on the rack. Pete said a makeover wasn’t the answer, but come on… Zach wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to hang out with me, and the only thing he has to go off of is my style.

Zach’s seen me in my apron I use for art class and my Troublemaker’s uniform. So I basically have a blank canvas to work with when it comes to my casual wear. I don’t think he’ll be impressed by my high necklines and too clean bottoms. Even my paint doesn’t get anywhere near my clothing. I’m super good at covering my canvas and not myself.

I veer to the crop tops—a section I’ve never ventured near—and start to slide the choices back and forth. One says, “I love life and coffee.” Not exactly accurate for me… Next.

“Leave me alone.” Nope.

“I probably hate you.” Nope.

“I like the sound you make when you shut up.” Really?

Does that shirt say the d-word?

I sigh and grab the life and coffee one, even though I don’t really like the taste. Frappuccinos are okay, though. Close enough.

After perusing the rest of the clothing section and finding some cute things I'd usually buy in a heartbeat, I pass them all up and grab those torn jeans instead. Might as well dive in head first.

“Ho ho ho!” A Santa set up beyond where I can see has some vocals on him. As I duck out of the clothing section and head to the checkout, the line extends clear out and around electronics and toys. I push up on tip-toe to see if I can get around it, but there's no way. I'm going to have to go through the holiday section just to get up front.

I turn around, tossing the clothes over my shoulder. I wonder if I should get shoes too. But I won't get them here. I have better luck online when it comes to footwear. Department stores never carry my size.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to Tanner's bubbly face on IM.

We've got a couple shifts together this week. Wanna carpool?

He's always offering. I'm pretty sure he has a tiny crush on me, and I don't want to be rude, but I also don't want to lead him on.

Let me check. I might have to switch a few shifts around, so I'll let you know. :)

The smiley face should be friendly enough. I put my phone back and grumble at myself. I'm trying to be bad, dang it. And I'm worried about emojis.

Maybe I should call Pete… let him know I might need more lessons than we thought. But I think the universe is looking out, because I turn the corner and bam, there he is.

The aisle is set up in all the trappings, artificial trees bursting with lights and color. Pete’s got his hands shoved into his back pockets, a motorcycle jacket hanging open to reveal a dark blue tee. He’s eyeing the trees like he’s trying to disarm a bomb.

A smile hits my lips, and I skip over, hip-checking him as a greeting. “Fancy seeing you here.”

The shock in his light brown eyes sparkles for a split second before turning into amusement. The dimple in the corner of his mouth makes an appearance.

“Either my lessons are already kicking in, or you’re getting bolder.”

“I’ve always been bold with you.” Totally accurate. Pete is approachable, unlike me. It’s another check on the list I made before hiring him. “Thinking of getting an artificial tree this year?”

His gaze swivels to the abundance of tree displays, and he nods. “The one I got is a bit small.”

“What about a real tree?”

“A real tree means I gotta buy one every year.”

“And…?”

He rolls his head, eyeing me with a look that clearly says my privilege is showing. I give him a funny face as an apology, and he chuckles.

“I take it you’ve got a real tree?”

“You were at my house yesterday. I have no tree.”

“You gonna get that one?” He nods to an all-white tree with white lights twinkling in between the fake needles.

“No.”

“Why not? It’s your favorite color.”

“Ha ha.” I bump him with my shoulder. “Why don’t you get it?”

“Demi likes purple.”

My brow furrows. “Who’s Demi?” Maybe she’s that girl who was with him at Troublemakers. Does he live with his girlfriend? Or have a girl roommate?