On Saturday morning Kelli tried on three different bras and six different top and bottom combinations before she settled on the right ensemble. 'Want to show him more than he's seen, but not too much, not too revealing.'
It was a glorious, sunny, warm spring day, so Tom decided to wear sandals, khaki shorts and a button-down shirt. He'd woken early, gone for a run, made an important call, showered and had been sitting on his front steps for a good half hour when Kelli roared up in her Jeep, sporting Ray-Ban sunglasses.
She gave him a thousand-watt smile. 'Hey, I'm looking for a wardrobe consultant -- know one?"
He grinned and climbed in. "Meadows Massage Service AND Wardrobe Consulting, at your service, ma'am." 'Damn, she looks great!'
She laughed. 'Well, your product portfolio seems to be expanding, Mr. Meadows. What's next -- taxidermy?" "Damn, he is one fine looking man!'
"Well, I'm thinking......" His voice trailed off.
She wore her white ballcap, but with her hair down, flowing around her neck and over her shoulders. Her top was a simple red t-shirt that was fairly snug around her big breasts, with just hint of cleavage. For the first time, Tom could see the full size and bulk of her boobs. 'Oh, she's really big!' Down below, she wore loose-fitting white shorts, mid-thigh length. For the first time, Tom saw her legs, and was rendered speechless.
"Hello, Tom, are you there?" She laughed.
He looked up at her face and tried to recover. "I, um, was just, well, I was... Wow, you look great, Kelli -- and you have legs!!"
She cackled. "Well, yea, don't most girls?"
Tom grinned. "Not like yours. They're beautiful, Kelli, and so are you." 'Wow - that just came right out!'
She blushed and looked away. 'Ok, he just said I'm beautiful!' "You're sweet to say that, Tom. And you are looking quite handsome today, also. I'll probably have to fight to keep the women away from my Wardrobe Consultant!"
It was Tom's turn to blush. "So, how are the girls today?
She smiled as she drove off. "They are doing ok, thank you. I have on one of my bras that fits fairly well, so it's a good day." She glanced over. "I'm not jiggling too much, am I?" 'Look at my boobs, Tom.'
Tom wasn't dumb enough to pass up an excuse to admire the red t-shirt stretched over what looked to be a lacy bra. The girls were jiggling quite a bit, with the Jeep's truck suspension to blame - or thank, from Tom's perspective!
"No, they aren't -- they're perfect." 'And I'm about to fix her bra problem.'
"Good to have an expert opinion from my Gym Buddy!"
They chatted for a while. "I'm sorry I had to cancel Thursday night, Tom."
He touched her hand. "I understand."
'Wow, even just our hands touching gives me a tingling -- from my nipples all the way down to between my legs.'
"How about we do a make-up massage session after we're done shopping?"
"Oh, that would be great. We'd need to be done by three, though."
"Deal. So, you said your birthday was coming up soon?"
"Next Saturday."
"So, is a Gym Buddy allowed to buy the other Gym Buddy a birthday present?"
"Oh, Tom, you don't have to get me anything."
"So, here's the problem I have. Last year, my great aunt passed away and left me some money. It's just been sitting there, and I have no plans for it. And along comes this woman, she's very nice, by the way, and she needs an outfit that won't be cheap and she doesn't have much money right now."
She looked over at him. "Really, it would be too much. I have a credit card."
"It would make me very happy if I could do this for you, Kelli. We're buddies, and I'm sure you'd do it for me if things were reversed."
"I'd feel in debt to you."
"Hey, stop thinking like an accountant! It's only money."
He held her hand. "This is what friends do for friends." He brought her hand up and kissed it, and her resistance and her heart both melted.
She smiled. "Tom Meadows, you are the sweetest man there ever was!"
He had the biggest grin on his face as they pulled into the store parking lot. He opened the door for her, placing his hand just briefly on the small of her back. She smiled. "Thanks!"
They connected with a salesperson who laid out several blouse, jacket and slack combinations. Tom pointed out a couple he liked and she went to try them on. He very much enjoyed watching his Gym Buddy model clothes, having her spin around, admiring her from every angle. She was having fun also, showing her body shape to her Gym Buddy, enjoying his appreciative looks. 'This hunky man can look at my body all he wants!'
They settled on a conservative, charcoal gray jacket and slacks combination with a white blouse which struggled to contain her bosom. She whispered to Tom so the salesperson wouldn't hear. "Are the girls too prominent?"
He smiled and whispered. "For me, no, for the bank, yes!"
The salesperson picked up on the problem. "If you get the next size up it will fit your bust, but be way too big around your waist. But we have a tailor in back who can take in the waist."
"Can I pick it up Monday?"
"Yes, she can do it first thing in the morning. You can pick it up at noon or after."
Tom paid and they walked out. He managed to get in front of her so he could open the driver's door for her. They smiled at each other as they climbed in. "Kelli, you'll look so professional for the interview. Like I said at Brewsters, I think you can be both a beautiful woman and a smart, respected professional. You'll do great!"
She put her right hand on his leg. "Thanks, Tom, for the outfit, and for helping with my confidence." She pulled out of the parking lot.
"Hey, turn left at the light up here."
"Ok, where are we going?"
"One more shopping stop to make -- you'll see when we get there."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, a secret, then?"
He nodded.
Tom directed a few turns and had her pull into the lot of Joan's Shop.