Culture Shock by Ginger Simpson

Having a woman's form and a man's thought process was tough. The two didn't work well together. He walked across the room then turned. "Well, what do you think?"
    "I think you look like someone who just had casts removed from their broken legs. But, we'll keep working on it. I also need to show you how to sit properly, drink with poise, and how to be graceful."
    He grabbed two handfuls of her blonde hair and yanked in frustration. "Just kill me now."
    "I can't. You promised I wouldn't have to shoot anyone, and I don't want to be the first to un-holster your gun." Her giggle sounded forced.
    He sagged down on the sofa. "I guess I'll be spending the night again. Looks like we have a lot of ground to cover."

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Monday, the alarm sounded at six-thirty a.m. Disoriented by his surroundings, Alex recognized Cynthia's bedroom. He punched her wimpy pillow into a ball and rolled over and hit the snooze button. If he went back to sleep, he wouldn't have to face what lay in store. But no matter how hard he wished the problem away, he'd have to face it. Great! He had to gussy up for a job that wasn't his, pretend to be something he wasn't and continue to fake things until he and Cynthia could come up with a solution if there was one. The prospect of being stuck like this forever terrified him.
    He rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Was Cynthia awake yet? Even though it was her idea, he felt bad making her sleep on the couch in her own apartment. With a deep sigh, he swiveled around and sat on the edge of the bed. Holding his head in his hands and staring at the floor, he spied her fuzzy slippers. " Ohhh, nooo. I ain't wearin' em."
    Barefooted, he walked to the door and leaned against the jamb. Cynthia still slept. "Hey, wake up. It's almost time to go to work," he called. "Let's run through things one more time."
    Cynthia rolled over and moaned then sat and rubbed the back of her neck. "God, this couch is awful. I can't take too many more nights of this torture."
    "I suggest you sleep in my apartment from now on. That's where all my clothes and shaving things are anyhow."
    "Yeah, I guess." The tone in her voice showed she didn't welcome the idea. "I definitely have to change clothes and shower. This is disgusting…and I do need to shave, and I don't mean my legs."
    He ran a gaze up and down his own body. "Well, you certainly won't fit into your clothes, and you’d look pretty ridiculous even if you did. I'm sure my wardrobe isn't nearly as extensive, but help yourself."
    "I suppose wearing a dress would arouse a little suspicion about your sexuality," she said with a cocky tilt to her head.
    "Very funny…and that reminds me. Don't do anything to make me look stupid today."
    She stiffened. "How in the world could I possibly do that? I don't know a blasted thing about being a cop, and you don't want me to make you look stupid.  That makes perfect sense."
    "Okay, I guess I didn't explain myself very well. A few months ago, I took the Lieutenant's test and I'm still waiting to hear the results. I don't want anything to screw my chance to advance. This whole body exchange thing couldn't have happened at a worse time."
    She fixed her gaze on him. "You don't actually think there would be good time for this to have happened, do you?"
    "Of course not, but you know what I mean."
    "I hadn't considered the prospect of messing up your entire career. What if I do?" Worry thinned her lips.
    "Don't worry. Just remember everything we've talked about and you'll do fine."
    His words of warning struck a chord in his own mind. "But, what about me? I've always sucked at math and I'm supposed to go and crunch numbers. I'm beginning to think I might just take my chances with the shock thing again."
    Her brows rose. "Really?"
    "No!" he said adamantly. "That's the last possible alternative."
    "Then come up with an alternative." She glared at him.
    "Right after I find a cure for the common cold." His patience was already being tested