Page 9

How Sydney had found him a jacket that fit, Adam had no clue. Maybe she really was a witch, just like Veronika, a thought that reinforced his resolve to keep things strictly platonic between them.

He’d bought the jacket and the pants, figuring it would be better than nothing if he didn’t end up with a suit. Something that seemed less and less likely, although they were now on their way to a shop called Guildman’s, a menswear store in town.

“Have you been here before? I’m guessing not,” Sydney said.

Her perfume, which was something sweet and clean, drifted past, making him want to lean in for a better sniff. “No. Haven’t been much of anywhere really.”

She gave him an odd look. “How long have you lived here?”

“Two weeks.” They arrived at the shop, so he found the first available parking spot and pulled in.

Sydney had yet to comment on his Bronco, which was interesting.

He glanced at the shop. The place looked high-end.

He could only imagine what the price tags were going to look like. At least he was making good money now.

“Two weeks?” Her mouth hung open. “You’re almost as new as I am. And here I thought you’d been around a while.”

“Nope.” He turned off the engine and sighed, his gaze still on the shop.

She laughed. “Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.”

“I don’t like shopping.”

She nodded, the amusement gone. “I get that. You’re hard to fit, and that’s never fun. It’s not the same thing, but I have a hard time finding pants that are long enough.”

He looked at her legs. They were long. And shapely. He forcefully lifted his gaze back to her face. “I never thought about that. Men’s pants come in a lot of lengths. That much I know. Aren’t women’s the same?”

“Not generally.” She gave him a sweet smile. “This place will be a different experience for you. I don’t think you’re going to hate it as much as you expect.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because I called ahead while you were paying. I got to talk to the man who owns this store, Dexter Guildman. He was a?—”

“Dexter Guildman.” Adam stared at her.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“ The Dexter Guildman, who played for the Atlanta Thrashers? He’s a football legend. One of the greats. You’re telling me he lives in Nocturne Falls?”

She nodded. “I would assume so, since he owns this store. You know him, obviously.”

“I know of him.” Slowly, Adam nodded. “You’re right, though. Getting to meet him probably will make the experience better.”

“Oh, well, good. But that wasn’t what I meant. Dexter said he understood the struggles of fitting a more muscular body and that he has a line that’s tailored to bigger guys. He’s ready to help.”

That Sydney had called ahead on his behalf was impressive. “Thanks.”

“Come on. Let’s go see what he’s got.”

For once, Adam was almost, kind of, maybe a little bit excited about shopping. He got out and followed her into the shop.

Soft jazz music played inside, giving a classy vibe. The store had a nice array of clothing, from shorts and polo shirts to tuxedoes. But Adam’s attention wasn’t on the clothing for long.

Dexter Guildman, a little gray around the temples, approached, hand out. “You must be Adam.”

Adam nodded, surprised that not only had Sydney told Dexter his name, but that Dexter had remembered. “I am. And I know exactly who you are. Two-time championship winner. You’re a legend, Mr. Guildman.”

Dexter laughed. “I’m honored to be remembered, but please, call me Dexter. I understand you need a suit.”

“I do.” Adam glanced over at Sydney. She was beaming. She had every right to be. She’d done well.

“Right this way, young man.” Dexter led them back to the dressing rooms, where he had a rack of clothing on one side. “I pulled a few things. If it’s not to your taste, no worries. We have lots more.”

While Sydney took a seat nearby, Dexter started showing Adam the suits he’d selected.

Adam reached out to touch the second one, a dark gray suit with a white pinstripe. “I like that.”

“It’s a bold look.”

“Sydney? What do you think?”

She smiled at him. “Pinstripes are a classic. I think it’s great. Try it on.” She looked at Dexter. “Do you have a nice white dress shirt in his size?”

“Need to measure him, but I’m sure we can accommodate him. Let me get my tape.”

Before long, Adam was emerging from the dressing room in the shirt and suit, feeling better than he had in a long time. The suit wasn’t cheap, but if Sydney liked it, then it was going home with him.

Oddly nervous, he stood in front of Sydney, waiting for her verdict. She was chatting with Dexter, who cleared his throat and nodded at Adam.

Sydney turned her head. Her mouth opened as she blinked. “Wow.”

Adam swallowed. “Wow good? Or wow?—”

“Wow good ,” Sydney said with a nod. She took a breath. “Don’t you think, Dexter?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.” He walked over to Adam. “You need a tie?”

Adam shrugged. He really had no idea what the other bachelors were going to be wearing. “I don’t know.”

“You mind if I fix you up? Then you have a look, see what you think.”

“Okay.” If Dexter Guildman wanted to put Adam in a tie, he wasn’t about to say no. The man had been known for his moves on the field and his sharp dressing off it.

Dexter disappeared into the store, returning with a vivid purple and navy paisley tie and a navy and purple patterned pocket square.

He flipped up Adam’s collar, whipped the tie around his neck, tied it, then did a fancy fold with the pocket square and tucked it into the suit.

He adjusted a few more things before stepping out of the way.

“There you go. What do you think?”

Sydney put her hand to her mouth, unsuccessfully covering a wide smile. Adam did his best to ignore that for the moment and looked in the mirror. He barely recognized himself. He’d never looked so put together. So sharp.

He exhaled. “What do you think, Sydney?”

“You look fantastic. And that’s an understatement. It’s so, so good.”

Adam smiled. “Thanks.” He looked at Dexter. “Thank you, too. She’s right. It’s good. I’ll take it.”

Dexter clapped Adam on the back. “Let me get my seamstress. Couple of adjustments and it’ll be even better. One thing, though, if I might make a bold suggestion that is frankly none of my business. If you don’t mind.”

Adam couldn’t imagine what the man was going to say, but he knew about suits, so why not. “Sure, go ahead.”

Dexter pulled a business card out of his pocket. “Go see Franco at the barbershop. I’m guessing it’s been a while.”

Adam nodded. “Yeah.”

“Let him point you up, son. Little trim, a nice shave, make the rest of you match the suit.”

Adam took the card. “I’ll give him a call.”

“Excellent.” Dexter smiled and looked down at Adam’s bare feet. “Before Marlena gets you pinned up, let’s get you some shoes. We want those pants to break at the right point.”

Adam wasn’t used to being fussed over. Wasn’t as bad as he’d thought.

He picked out a pair of shoes, again deferring to Sydney’s suggestion.

Marlena was quick, adjusting the suit in a few places and adding pins with an efficiency he admired.

He’d have to come back tomorrow and pick the suit up, but that was no big deal.

Once he got home, he’d call the barbershop and make himself an appointment. Dexter was right that Adam could use a trim and a shave. He’d let himself go since Veronika had broken up with him, mostly because he’d stopped caring.

But that needed to change.

With Sydney at his side, Adam walked out of Guildman’s having spent more than he’d anticipated but also a fair bit happier. He’d never imagined he’d find such a nice suit that fit him so well. The bachelor auction would undoubtedly be a questionable experience, but at least he’d look good.

Even better, Sydney had no idea what the suit was for, so she’d never have to know about the auction.

As they approached the car, his stomach grumbled. He’d only had a few bites of soup. No way was that enough. “Hey, did you eat lunch? All this shopping has made me hungry. You want to grab something?”

She nodded. “I could eat. You want me to see what’s around? I know we passed a few places. Are you in the mood for anything in particular?”

What he wanted, she probably wouldn’t be interested in because it involved fat and carbs. He opened the passenger door for her, then the one behind it, and put his shopping bag on the seat. “I could go for pizza.”

She turned to nod at him. “Okay. Let me see what’s closest.”

Her lack of argument shocked him. Veronika would have rolled her eyes at him. He closed the door and climbed behind the wheel. “I already know where to go. Salvatore’s. It’s where all the locals go for pizza.”

“Yeah? Let’s go then.”

He couldn’t believe it. “Really? You’re okay with pizza? Not worried about the carbs?”

For some reason, that made her brows shoot up. She clicked her seat belt into place. “Is that a jab at my weight?”

“No, not at all, I think your weight is fine. It’s just that … I don’t know, most women are always on a diet, and carbs are the enemy.”

“Well, I probably wouldn’t eat it every day, but shopping burns calories, and I think I’ve earned it.”

He smiled. “Salvatore’s it is.” He started the engine and backed out. A few minutes later, he was parking again.

As soon as he opened the door, the unmistakable smoky scent from the brick ovens wafted into the car.

“Oh, yum,” Sydney said. “Now I’m starving.”

“Yeah, same. Something about that smell gets the appetite going.”

They went in and grabbed a table along the brick-covered wall.

Scenic views of Italy were interspersed with the headshots of Italian celebrities.

Red-and-white checked curtains framed the front windows but were kept pulled back to let plenty of light in.

Despite the fact that the lunch rush was probably over, the open kitchen was still bustling.

A server came over and gave them menus, silverware rolled in napkins, and small plates. “Hey, there. I’m Tim. I’ll be taking care of you guys today. What would you like to drink?”

“Do you have Italian sodas?” Sydney asked.

“We have lemon, blood orange, and vanilla cream.”

“Blood orange, please.”

The server looked at Adam.

“Why not? I’ll try it, too.”

“I’ll get those and be right back.”

Adam picked up his menu. He knew what he wanted, the meat lovers, but he’d wait to see what Sydney picked. After the help she’d given him today, she deserved to have her choice. “What do you think?”

She was studying the menu. “How hungry are you?”

“Hungry. And I can eat a lot of pizza.”

She glanced over the menu at him. “I don’t doubt that.” There was a gleam in her eye as she said it.

“What about you? Are you one and done? Or will you have two slices?”

Just then a server walked by with a pizza.

Sydney lifted up in her seat to see it better. “Those are big pizzas. But it’s easy enough to take home leftovers. I’ll have two slices. How do you feel about a king?”

He doublechecked that on the menu. A king was Salvatore’s version of a supreme. “A large with everything, huh? Yeah, let’s do it.”

She put her menu down. “Cool.”

Tim returned with their drinks, which were in bottles, and two tall plastic glasses of ice. “Here you are. Did you decide what you’d like to eat?”

“Large king,” Adam answered.

“Perfect. I’ll get that right in.” He took their menus and left.

Adam poured his soda into his glass. Sydney did the same. Impulsively, he lifted his glass. “Thanks for the help today.”

She brought hers up and clinked the tumbler against his. “You’re welcome. Wasn’t as bad as you thought it was going to be, was it?”

He sipped his soda and shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. And that’s good.”

“Yeah, it is.” She tried hers. “Mmm. That is very refreshing. Reminds me of a soda I had in Rome.”

“I don’t think this pizza will be much like authentic pizza, if that’s what you’re expecting.”

She shook her head. “I’m not. But from the way this place smells, I already know it’s going to be good.”

“It is.”

“You said you’ve been here about two weeks. What brought you to town?”

He hesitated. For reasons he couldn’t name, he didn’t want to tell her he was only here temporarily. That he’d be out of a job in five and a half months. He shrugged. “Just needed a change and I have a friend who lives here, so I thought I’d check it out. What about you?”

She turned the bottle of soda so that the label faced her, her focus on it instead of him, although in truth, she suddenly seemed miles away. “I needed a change, too. I wanted to take my life in a different direction.”

“I can understand that. Have you found a job yet?”

Suddenly, she lifted her chin and smiled brightly at him. “I’m, uh, not really looking.”

He snorted. “Independently wealthy, huh?”

Her mouth bunched to one side, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then finally, “I’ll figure something out soon.”

He didn’t know what she meant by that, but it didn’t sound like she was going to be job-hunting, either.

What was she not telling him?