“You know, I wasn't convinced that I would be agreeing to a contract with you guys,” Alex said.
“That’s strange because I certainly was,” said Toby, adding a laugh. They laughed together.
“Well, I guess you were right. We’ll be in contact about the contract, but since it's Friday, I was hoping that I'd be able to enjoy what New York City has to offer. You know, the nightlife. I have to fly back out to DC tomorrow, and it would be a shame if I didn't take advantage of this opportunity.”
I cringed. He sounded like a parent who had been so caught up in raising their kid, their social life had been dead for the past five years. The type who when they did try to go to a club, would immediately bail after twenty minutes to go home and watch Netflix.
“I like the sound of that. You should definitely experience what the city has to offer before you go home.”
“Drinks and maybe a little dancing with some beautiful women?” Alex said.
“I'll do you one better and we can start with dinner.” I looked on as the two of them made plans for the evening. We would meet again for dinner, and then make our way to a club. Wait a minute, what did people wear at clubs? All the suggestions that Missy had given me were for work. When Toby was escorting Alex out of the room, I grabbed his arm.
“Wait, you want me to come too?”
“Of course.”
“What the hell do I wear?”
“I'm not a stylist. Ask Missy.” He walked out of the room with Alex. I rolled my eyes and left for my office. I hadn’t talked to Missy since our spa day and we had unfinished business. After I had suggested we stop pretending and take our attraction seriously, she had said that she didn't want romance. When I offered an alternative, she didn't give me an answer yes or no. I still didn't know where we stood.
Well, it was generally safe to assume that if it was not a yes, it was a no. As of right now, she was still just my stylist. I put the thoughts aside and finished up my work for the day. I didn't have to think about what to wear until I got home. Once I had gotten there, there was no more reason to put off talking to her. I walked into my closet and looked around.
Having a bunch of nice clothes did not automatically give you a fashion sense, that was true. I was stumped, looking at the rows of clothing. Jeans? At a club? Was that okay? I missed the clubbing period of my life and just wasn’t interested in the scene anymore. I took my phone out, sighing. It was going to have to happen sooner or later.
“Hello?” she asked. She turned me back into a virgin fourteen-year-old who got tongue-tied in front of his crush. I was a lot happier to hear from her than I thought I would be. I took a deep breath because this was technically a business call.
“Hey. I need your help. Can you talk?”
“What's the matter?”
“I have dinner with a client and then we’re going to a club. What am I supposed to wear for something like that?”
“Oh, that’s
easy. Clubwear for guys isn’t that hard. Just think of a dressier version of what you would wear casually.”
“Suggestions, Missy. Suggestions with practical examples. That’s why I called you.”
“Okay. Pick some jeans, either dark blue or black. Since you’re going to dinner first, try something with a collar. A button-down.”
“What color?”
“Nothing too bright, but no patterns either.” I looked at the clothes, finding it hard to visualize what she was talking about.
“Can I just wear a t-shirt?”
“You could but it might be a bit too casual for dinner.” I finally pulled out a pair of jeans. They were dark blue like she had suggested. Looking over at my new collection of T-shirts, most of them were plain and solid-colored, but she had mentioned wearing something with the collar. So like, a polo shirt?
“Can I just video call you?”
“It’s just a shirt and some jeans,” she said.
“Come on, Missy. Yes or no? I’m actually trying here.”
“Okay, fine. Call me.”
I video called her, and she picked up almost immediately. Her face filled the screen of my phone and it distracted me momentarily from my fashion woes.