Page 103 of Darlin'

"Better fuck off, pal," Jesse grunts, taking a step forward like a blossoming peacock.Oh no. James swallows, puffing out his own chest. Jesse snorts. "Beat it, kid." He blinks. "Go."

Stupidly gaining some bravado, James says, "Make me, tough guy."

"Please don't?—"

Too late.

I wince as Jesse winds up his fist and sucker punches James right in that pretty little nose of his. Immediately, two of Mayor Lockwood's security guards appear and body-slam Jesse up against the wall.

Well…that was short lived.

"Assault!" James cries, holding his bleeding nose. "That's assault." He looks around the room, whining like a teething baby. "He assaulted me!"

"Jesse!" I grumble, swatting at his shoulders as the security guards wave over a police officer. "What is wrong with you?! You can't just go and punch people in the face. Do you know who that is?! That's the mayor's son!"

"So?" Jesse sighs as an officer slaps a pair of handcuffs on him, unfazed by the whole scenario. "I didn't like the way he was looking at you."

I cross my arms. "We could be having sex now, but instead, you're going to the station. Nice. Real nice."

"It's fine." Jesse rolls his eyes. "I'll be out in a few hours."

"You better thank your lucky stars that I love you, Jesse Paxton," I state, glowering at the big oaf. "Can't say I like seeing you in handcuffs."

Jesse's eyes glow brighter than I've ever seen 'em shine. "I love you too, princess," he coos, tossing me a wink. "And who knows, maybeyou'llbe the one in handcuffs soon."

I scoff. "I ain't getting arrested anytime soon, darlin'."

"That's not what I meant," he rasps as the police officer orders him to walk. He looks back at me. "Be ready for me, myqueen."

As Jesse gets escorted out of the building, my parents, Beau, and Marlow enter the lobby.

"What on earth happened here?" Momma gasps, covering her mouth as she follows my sightline. "Who was that boorish baboon?”

“Oh, Momma…” With a light giggle, I loop my arm affectionately through hers, praying that she doesn’t faint as I say, proud and ever so excited, “That’s your future son-in-law, I reckon."

“Oh my…” Momma swallows, leaning heavily against my shoulder. “So not a surfer boy, huh?” She expels a heavy gust of air. “Well… There goes that dreamy governor’s mansion.”

I wince. “You mad?”

“I don’t know…” The woman swallows away decades of bitter judgement. “Are you happy?”

“I am,” I say with absolute certainty. “I reallyreallyam.”

Momma stares at me, and for the first time in a long time, I genuinely think she sees me. With a tight smile of resolve, she turns to my daddy and says, “John… call your lawyer. It appears we need to keep a baboon out of jail.”

I beam.

She may as well have said, “Welcome to the family.”

Epilogue

8 Months Later

"Nope! Nope. Nope. Nope."Marlow spins around, feverishly shaking her head. "This is ridiculous. I can't wear this. I can't."

Andy groans. "We've been here forhours, Marlow! Just pick a fucking dress already!"

"I like it!" Pippa exclaims, chugging her seventh mimosa of the day. "Makes you look—" She hiccups. "Pretty."

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