Promposal by R.H. Bird

Author:R.H. Bird [Bird, R.H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YAF052020 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2023-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Anthony’s Fine Tuxedos

The ride to the tuxedo shop took twenty minutes. Piper tuned the radio to classic rock. We only had two good stations in town, the other one played more pop, however. In the past I would have adjusted her radio dial, going back and forth between them to find a song I liked, but I didn’t dare now. Luckily, Pink Floyd came through the speakers.

Piper, mercifully, remained quiet. Finally, we pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. There was an insurance agency, laundromat, and ice cream parlor in here too. She found a space across from Anthony’s Fine Tuxedos.

She gazed at me. “Ready?”

“What was that back there?” I had never seen her so aggressive. There’s no way she changed that much. I admit, as a guy, I liked it—a lot. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful girl to straddle you in that dress? But that wasn’t the Piper I went out with.

Her face was tight, her jaw tense. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”

She got out of the car and strode towards Anthony’s. I ran to beat her to the store and held open the door.

“Thank you.” She traced her hand over the side of my face in a provocative gesture.

What was going on?

Anthony’s was a small shop with racks of suits across two walls. Since this was prom night, the place looked pretty empty. I hoped they still had one that fit. A photo of the Pope hung above black curtains that led to the changing rooms. An American flag dominated the back wall with the Italian flag underneath.

A short, heavy-set man stood behind the counter. He sported a thick head of jet-black hair. “I’m Tony, how can I help you?” He had a strong accent, so I indulged his native tongue.

“Ciao Tony. Mi chiamo Luca. E questa è Piper. Come stai oggi?” My grandmother made sure I learned the language.

He responded with a big grin. “Hey, look at you. Luca and Piper, eh? I’m doing very well, especially today. What’s your reservation number?”

“You know, it’s funny Tony. I don’t have a reservation. But I know my size. Is there any chance you have anything in a 36R?”

“Showing up on prom day with nothin’? You must be crazy.”

My head bowed and I rubbed my chin. Piper’s face went white and panicky. There wasn’t another shop within thirty miles. It was Tony’s or my busboy outfit—fraying bowtie and all.

Then he smiled at Piper, and gave me hope. “Let me think about it my Italian friend. What color did you want?”

I let out a huge breath and scanned the shop. Tony had tuxedos in white, gray, and, of course, black. Yellow too, ugh. But beggars couldn’t be choosers. I’d take whatever he had and be happy. But, please, no yellow.

“I’m easy. I’ll wear anything you’ve got in my size, and consider myself lucky,” I answered.

“But we prefer black,” Piper interjected, regaining some color. “Black goes better with my dress.” She flashed him a friendly smile with a tilt of her head.

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