VALERIA

With that pressure weighing on my shoulders and trying not to focus on the fact that he was only wearing boxers, I began testing the clothing options I had selected.

“Hmm, too plain… The gray matches his eyes, but not the pants… This detail doesn’t work…”

I was so absorbed in holding the garments against him, measuring and matching, that I hadn’t realized I was voicing my thoughts out loud.

“This one looks too short… Would this belt fit you?” I asked, suddenly raising my head—and immedi