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Lucy was on her way out the door to go home. It had been a long day, being a sergeant’s aide because Tim was right. As an aide, you don’t get any credit; only the sergeant does. She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to work out a kink. She stopped when she saw Tim talking to Angela, his back facing Lucy.
“It’s someone I was in the army with. I have to go!”
“You can’t wear a shirt you already own to the wedding?” Angela asked.
“I don’t own that many shirts.” He explained.
“I know you have a tux; you can’t wear that?”
“If I had to wear it, I wouldn’t go.”
“So it’s not because you were in the army with him.”
“It is, and I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“You’re no help, Lopez.”
Angela shrugged, “I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”
Tim waved his hand, “Thanks for nothing.”
“You’re welcome!” Angela beamed before she walked away. Lucy walked up to Tim, “I thought weddings weren’t your thing.”
Tim startled before turning around, “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Chen?”
“No, sir.” She said, trying not to smile at him.
“What do you want?” He asked, trying to look at her annoyed.
“To offer my services!” She beamed at him, and he folded his arms, “I don’t need your help.”
“Oh, really?” She started tilting her head. “Because I heard you asking Lopez for help, but now you don’t need my help? Okay, have it your way. Have a good night, Tim.” She started to walk away when he called after her, “Wait, what did you have in mind?”
“Going to the mall. I can help you buy a new shirt.”
“What? I hate the mall.” Tim protested. Lucy let out an annoyed scoff, “Do you want my help or not?”
“Fine. Let’s go.” Tim walked towards her, and Lucy beamed.
***
“Okay, here we are! The men’s section!” Lucy presented triumphantly.
“Let’s just get this over with.” Tim said, grabbing the first shirt he saw.
“Tim. I’m here to help you find the right shirt.” Lucy grabbed the shirt he was holding, a boring grey color. “You’re going to a wedding. Not a funeral.”
“Isn’t black the color for funerals?” Tim pointed out, and Lucy rolled her eyes. “That dark grey was close enough. We need to get you something fun.”
“Pass.”
“Come on, Tim, stop complaining.”
“I am not complaining.”
“You’re definitely complaining.” She shot back, not even looking at him.
“Here!” She pulled out a shirt triumphantly. It was a white shirt with little pineapples on it.
“Are those pineapples?”
“Yes! They are a welcome symbol from the early colonial days of America! This way, people know you’re approachable.” Lucy explained, beaming as she held it up to him.
“I don’t want to be approachable.” He grumbled and she didn’t pay attention.
“This one is perfect!” Lucy announced, pulling out a bright yellow shirt.
“Bananas? What’s the historic significance of that?” Tim asked. Lucy kept looking. “Oh no. I found the right one.”
It was a purple shirt with disco balls on it.
“I thought you were going to be helpful? How is any of this helpful?” Tim asked, regretting letting her help.
Lucy held it against his chest, ignoring his glare. “You need more joy in your wardrobe.”
“I have plenty of joy.” Tim kept on grumbling but held every shirt she handed him.
Lucy came back from the racks with another shirt. “Oh, do you? Where do you keep it?”
She was holding a powder blue shirt, and she held it against him. “Blue is definitely your color.” The shirt made his eyes pop, and all teasing and tom foolery left as she held it up against him.
“I wear blue every day.” He mentioned.
“That’s navy. And it doesn’t count, I…” Tim gulped as his eyes bore into her as she looked at the shirt. “Try this one on.” She said quietly.
Tim left to the dressing room carrying all the shirts. He stood in the dressing room and put on the shirt with pineapples. He looked at himself in the mirror. Ridiculous, he looked ridiculous. He glanced at the other outrageous shirts she picked out. He would look silly in all of them, but if they made her laugh…
Tim looked at himself again in the mirror. Get it together Bradford. She was your boot and is your aide; she’s just being nice, being Lucy.
He walked out of the dressing rooms, the shirts having the intended effect. She laughed and teased, and Tim realized he would do anything, including wearing a disco ball shirt to see her smile or hear her laugh.
Then he walked out with the blue shirt on, and suddenly it felt as if all the air was sucked out of the room. The smile dropped from her face as she stared. He fidgeted with the shirt, so she stood up and went to help him with the collar.
“The collar is ruffled.” She explained as she fixed it. Her hands then rested on his chest afterwards, making no attempt to move away as she locked eyes with him.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
All the noise of the store faded to the background as they stood there, their faces so close to each other, her hands resting on his chest. He was looking at her too directly now, with none of the usual impatience or amusement. Just a still attentiveness that made her feel like he could see her for who she was. It suddenly made her aware of every inch of space between them and how little of it there was.
As if on instinct, her eyes flicked to his mouth before she could stop them. When she looked back up, something in his expression had changed. Something different sparkled in his eyes before his eyes flickered to her lips. Lucy should have stepped back. But she didn’t; her thumb brushed once over the fabric near his collarbone, a small, unnecessary movement.
Tim’s jaw shifted as he leaned closer; she leaned closer to as if pulled in by gravity. Their lips were inches apart when there was a loud crash. They both turned towards the sound; Lucy’s hands dropped to her side.
“Sorry!” They heard someone say. Lucy turned back around and saw Tim had stepped back. He finished adjusting the sleeves on the shirt.
“Are you going with that one?” Lucy asked, none of the playfulness in her voice. Tim didn’t look at her as she asked, and he nodded, “I think so, even though the bananas were tempting.”
She gave a small smile before her phone chimed.
“I have to go.” She said before she looked at him, “Will you be okay?”
“Yes. You go.” He said and she nodded before biting her lip and going up to him kissing him on the cheek.
“Text me if you need me!” She called out and he watched her go. He ended up buying the blue shirt and the one with the pineapples.