Page 131 of Drop Three

Holy shit. She did this on purpose, and it’s the greatest thing anyone has ever done for me.

I allow myself to scan her beautiful face. She used the entire color wheel for eyeshadow, and her lips have a teal-ish hue.

Her red curls are wild and untamed, my favorite style on her.

Interesting.This is nothing at all like I was expecting, but I can work with it.

She still takes my breath away without trying.

Little does she know, I like her best like this—unapologeticallyher.

I hand her the flowers I’ve been holding like a lifeline before saying, “I would never. When will you learn it’s useless to argue with me?” I look her over again. “You look like a gift…just for me.”

“Yep, just for you,” she says sarcastically.

Navy takes a moment to look down, eyes catching onto the flowers I hand-picked for her. “Marigolds?” she asks me.

“I know they’re your favorite,” I tell her matter-of-factly.

She nods and stares at them with a look of melancholy.

“Shall we?” I say, holding my arm out for her to latch on to.

She hesitates before looking my way. “I hope you brought your dancing shoes, catcher.”

I chuckle to myself and lead her downstairs.

If that’s what Navy wants, then that’s what Navy gets.

40

NAVY

What the hell was that?

Bodhi didn’t say a single word about my outfit and let my defiance blow up in my face.

He’s onto something, I know it.

But then again, Bodhi has always accepted me as I am and has never commented once about wanting me to change.

There’s no way he can be fine with me looking like this, right?

He still called me beautiful.

Judging by the stares and murmurs I hear in the limo ride from the group, it’s evident I look like Ms. Frizzle fromThe Magic School Bus.

Gus even called me so, earning himself a death look from Callaway and Bodhi. I thought Tenley shit herself at first sight, and Kodi made no effort to hide her laughter, telling me I have some explaining to do later.

Fine.I made it this far, and I might as well flaunt it.

Bodhi’s large hand doesn’t stray from my thigh as we drive to the gala. He’s acting strangely protective, and I don’t hate it.

I also take time to catch Cal’s eye from the opposite side of the limo and don’t notice one trace of disapproval.

The limo pulls up to the awning entrance of the upscale resort hosting tonight’s gala, and my eyes take in the sleekness of it all.

Money was not an issue for the Strikers tonight.

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