Page 26 of The Prettiest Outlaw

I had the urge to get really cute. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d had that urge since losing my dad. I decided to lean into it, selecting a forest green, Chanel inspired short skirt and matching jacket. After finger combing through the curls from my flexi rods, I gave my face a very light beat that only consisted of a tinted moisturizer, mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss.

The girl looking back at me in the mirror looked vaguely familiar. I remembered her from way back when before her father died and before she found it hard to genuinely smile and feel happiness.

“One day,” I whispered to the reflection of Julianna as I stared at her. “One day you’ll be happy again. You’re too pretty to be in a continual state of blues.”

I didn’t know if I really believed what I’d just told myself. It seemed like no matter what I did, the gray storm cloud was always hanging over my head. Even when I hopped on a plane and went to Iredia, the storm cloud showed up in Iredia.

“Lord, please help me. My daddy was a jovial person. He wouldn’t like me to be all mired down in sadness and despair. He would want me to live life and enjoy myself. Help me find my way back to joy.”

After speaking the prayer aloud, I went into the kitchen to gather everything I would take to church. Thinking about church made me think about Nico and how good it felt to rest in his arms. It made me think about the way he kissed me so…thoroughly.

“Whew child!” I said as I fanned myself.

* * *

The comedy show started at 7:00 p.m., but the doors opened at 6:00 p.m. I was asked to arrive by 5:00 p.m. so I would have time to set up. I was glad to see Ravyn’s Range Rover pull into the lot and ease into the spot next to mine. Since I knew that there was no way I could handle facilitating a cookie decorating workshop on my own, I’d basically begged her to come and help me out. Nico agreed to come too, but I wasn’t sure that even the three of us could pull it off without a disaster.

Ravyn stepped out of her truck wearing a cute pink jogging set and matching pink and white Nike Dunks.

I grinned at her. “Don’t you look both festive and sporty?”

She frowned in return. “Why are you dressed like you’re going to a real church service? Are they having service? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“They’re not having service,” I assured her.

“Okay.” She folded her arms across her chest. “You asked me to come help some kids frost some cookies? Why are you out here looking like the first lady? Looking like you just left the Chanel flagship store, and I’m looking like I’m on my way to help kids frost cookies?”

“I’m the facilitator, Rae. The church is paying me to run this workshop. I thought I should dress the part.”

“You’re gonna leave here with frosting on your clothes,” she fussed. “I?—”

Her words were cut off by the sight of an orange Ford Mustang zipping into the lot. Ravyn watched the car with interest.

“That’s Nico,” I told her. “Jianna’s brother-in-law. You met him at the fundraiser. He’s gonna help out today.”

“Do you think he’s dressed for church?”

“I doubt it, boo. The only reason I’m dressed like this is because, for the first time in I don’t know how long, I actuallyfeltlike dressing up. I felt good today, so I went with it.”

She eyed me critically. “We gotta get you out of this funk. I miss the old Julianna. It’s been three years, boo.”

Before I could respond, Nico was out of his vehicle and walking toward us with his mother in tow. He stopped in front of us.

“What’s up, ladies?”

He included both of us in his bright smile. Though his top was covered by the jacket that a Chicago February required, I could see that he was wearing gray cargo pants and gray Jordans. I silently sighed, knowing that I wouldn’t have to hear Ravyn’s mouth.

“Hey, Nico. Thank you for coming to help.” I stepped forward and gave his mother a quick hug. “Hey, Ms. Russo. Nico didn’t talk you into helping, too, did he?”

She returned the hug. When she released me, she had a grin on her pretty face.

“He didn’t have to force me. I’m on the committee, so I’m happy to help. I can’t wait to see what these babies come up with. You know creativity is in our DNA from the continent.”

“Yes, ma’am. Umm, this is my best friend, Ravyn Hines. Rae, you probably remember Nico from New Year’s Eve. This is his mother, Ms. Russo.”

Ms. Russo gave Ravyn an approving look. “Hello, gorgeous. It’s nice to meet you.”

Ravyn blushed. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

---