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."