It was late. The mall was closing and I wanted to get out fast. The combination of cheerful perpetual daylight and the muzak version of "Smells like Teen Spirit" was depressing the hell out of me. I passed the jean store and saw you immersed in folding clothes and restoring symmetry to the displays picked clean by rapacious customers. I did a double take. I stopped and stared.
It's hard to describe the instant effect you had on me. I felt my chest contract, like I was locked in the burly embrace of a wrestler trying coax my organs out of me.
I had to find a way to get closer, to talk, to touch, inhale you. I'm not the kind of guy who can kill a woman with a great opener. I save those lines for chat rooms and most are stolen anyway.
I approached, shaking inside. A hot mess. I had no idea how anyone could have such a powerful and instant effect on me. And I was about to find out. I approached. Evidently so quietly, you didn't hear me coming. You looked up startled.
"Can I help you?"
I blinked. I stared, trying to take all of you in. Soft cashmere cardigan. Cut low. Turquoise. Pearl buttons. Crease of promising cleavage. Nipples erect. Pencil skirt with slit. Nice.
"Can I help you?"
"Jeans" I said....'denims?'
"Over there."
You pointed to a wall with nothing but jeans. And a sign that clearly read JEANS.
With the fog of lust descending, I could barely discern 15 different styles. 10 colors. 12 shapes and sizes. Except mine. I'm tiny, with legs that just about reach the ground. I surveyed the stock immobilized, remembering why I hate shopping so much.
"Found what you're looking for?"
I felt you standing right behind me.
"No."
"What's your size? Turn around."