CHAPTER 75: [75] THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF A BROKE MAN

"So, what do you think?" Naomi pivoted in a complete circle, the fabric of her red dress swirling around her thighs. She stopped with her back to Xavier, glancing over her shoulder with an expectant look. "Does it work?"

Xavier leaned forward, elbows on his knees. His head throbbed with the beginnings of a headache, but he forced himself to focus. One hour into this shopping expedition, and he’d already critiqued twenty-seven outfits across five women. The boutique staff had cycled through various stages of interest in his presence—the women eyeing him with speculative glances, the men with a mixture of envy and pity.

"The color suits you," Xavier said, studying the cut of the dress. "But the seam across the back hits at an awkward spot. Makes your shoulders look tense when they’re not."

Naomi twisted, trying to see her own back in the mirror. "You’re right. I didn’t notice that." She smoothed her hands over the fabric. "What about the length?"

"If you’re going for ’board meeting to cocktail hour,’ it works. For casual wear..." Xavier shook his head. "Too formal."

Behind the dressing room curtain, Ashley made a sound of approval. "He’s actually giving useful feedback. I’m impressed."

"Told you he had an eye," Calypso called from another changing room. "He’s brutally honest about my outfits at home."

He caught a male employee’s raised eyebrow and pointed stare.

"Family," Xavier said automatically. "We’re family."

The man’s expression clearly said he didn’t believe it.

Margaret emerged from her dressing room in a green jumpsuit that complemented her turquoise eyes. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, tendrils framing her face. "Okay, my turn for judgment."

Xavier straightened, giving her his full attention. "Turn around."

Margaret complied, executing a slow spin.

"It’s perfect," Xavier said. "The color makes your eyes pop. The cut suits your height. Even the way it tapers at the ankle—" He gestured vaguely. "It looks like it was made for you."

Margaret’s face lit up. "Really? I was worried it made me look boxy."

"Not at all. Your figure—" Xavier stopped himself, reconsidering his words. "The proportions balance well."

Selena slipped out of her dressing room in a blue sundress that matched the tips of her hair. "What about this one?"

"The color is right," he said. "But you look uncomfortable in it."

Selena’s eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You keep adjusting the straps. The neckline. Your shoulders are tense." Xavier pointed to her hands, which were indeed fidgeting with the fabric. "If you’re not comfortable, it doesn’t matter how good it looks."

Selena stared at him for a long moment before nodding. "You’re more observant than you let on."

"I notice things," Xavier said simply.

Ashley stepped out in a white pantsuit. She didn’t spin or pose like the others, just stood there, her blonde hair falling in a straight curtain down her back.

"Well?" she asked.

Xavier considered her carefully. "It’s expensive, well-made, and fits you perfectly." He paused. "And it looks exactly like something your father would approve of."

Ashley’s composed expression faltered for just a second. "Excuse me?"

"It’s a board room outfit. Corporate. Powerful." Xavier leaned back in his chair. "But it doesn’t seem like you."

Ashley’s lips pressed into a thin line. Then, unexpectedly, they curved into a small smile. "Interesting observation." She turned back toward the dressing room, then paused. "I’ll try the blue one next."

Calypso was the last to emerge, wearing a silver dress that matched her hair. The material caught the light as she moved, creating the illusion of flowing water. She spun once, the dress flaring around her knees.

"So?"

"It’s..." He cleared his throat. "It’s good."

Calypso’s face fell. "Just good?"

"The color works with your hair," Xavier amended. "But the cut is too safe. Too expected."

"Expected?" Calypso frowned. "What does that mean?"

Xavier stood up, his patience finally wearing thin. "It means everyone expects the silver-haired girl to wear the silver dress. It’s beautiful, but it’s obvious. You’re more interesting than that."

The words came out sharper than he intended. Calypso looked genuinely hurt for a moment before her expression shifted to something more thoughtful.

"You’re right," she said finally. "I can do better."

She disappeared back into the dressing room. Xavier sank back into his chair, rubbing his temples. The headache was getting worse.

"Are you okay?" Margaret asked, sitting beside him.

"Just a headache," Xavier muttered. "Too many lights. Too many decisions about hemlines."

Margaret laughed softly. "We’re almost done here. Then we’ll get food."

"Thank god."

Naomi emerged in a simple black dress that hugged her curves. She approached Xavier directly, standing close enough that he could smell her perfume—something expensive with notes of vanilla and amber.

"Last one," she promised, her voice low. "What’s the verdict?"

Xavier looked up at her, noting the calculated way she positioned herself to highlight her figure. Naomi was playing a game—they all were, to some extent. Testing his reactions, seeing what made him respond.

"It’s perfect," he said honestly. "Simple. Elegant. Draws attention without looking like you’re trying to draw attention."

Naomi smiled, pleased. "You have good taste, Xavier Valentine."

"I have good eyes," he corrected.

"Yes," Selena said, approaching from his other side. "You certainly do. Very observant ones."

Xavier was suddenly surrounded. Margaret sat on his left, Selena stood on his right, Naomi directly in front of him. Ashley watched from near the register, her expression unreadable.

"Ladies," Xavier said carefully, "I’m starting to feel like prey over here."

Margaret laughed. "Don’t be dramatic."

"We just value your opinion," Naomi added.

"And your company," Selena finished.

Xavier didn’t believe them for a second. Something else was happening here—some competition or test he wasn’t fully grasping. He glanced toward Calypso’s dressing room, wondering if she was part of whatever game they were playing.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Calypso emerged wearing a deep red dress with an asymmetrical neckline. The color should have clashed horribly with her silver hair, but somehow it worked, creating a striking contrast that drew the eye.

"Better?" she asked, addressing Xavier directly.

Xavier nodded. "Much better."

Calypso beamed. "I’ll take this one, then."

The next half hour passed in a blur of credit cards and shopping bags. Xavier was of course appointed official carrier, his arms gradually filling with purchases. By the time they left the boutique, he was balancing seven bags of varying sizes.

"Food now?" he asked hopefully.

"One more stop," Ashley declared, leading them toward another storefront. "Xavier needs something too."

Xavier stopped walking. "I don’t need clothes."

"Not clothes," Ashley said over her shoulder. "Something else."

Xavier followed the group into a high-end sunglasses store. Ashley spoke briefly with the salesperson, who nodded and disappeared into a back room.

"What’s happening?" Xavier asked Calypso.

She shrugged, looking equally confused. "No idea."

The salesperson returned with a sleek black case, which he presented to Ashley with a small bow. Ashley took it and turned to Xavier.

"You squint constantly in the sun," she said. "It’s going to give you premature wrinkles."

"I don’t—"

"You do," all five women said in unison.

Ashley opened the case, revealing a pair of designer sunglasses with subtle gold accents. "These should suit your face shape and coloring."

Xavier stared at the sunglasses, then at Ashley. "Why?"

"Consider it payment for your fashion consulting services." Ashley’s tone was businesslike, but her eyes held a hint of genuine warmth. "And for putting up with us for the past hour. And I wanted to thank you for being kind to my brother."

Her brother?

"Try them on," Margaret urged.

Xavier set down the shopping bags and took the sunglasses. They were lighter than they looked, the metal cool against his skin. He slid them on and looked in the nearby mirror.

They fit perfectly. The slight tint didn’t darken the world so much as enhance it, bringing colors into sharper focus. They looked expensive without being flashy—exactly what he would have chosen himself.

"How did you know?" he asked Ashley.

"I notice things too."

"Thank you," Xavier said, deciding not to question it. "They’re perfect."

"Good." Ashley nodded once. "Now we can eat."