Page 48 of Darlin'

Marlow rolls her eyes, scowling. "Don't be so uptight,Savannah. What do you think we do in our spare time? Build Lego?"

"Yes," I say flippantly. "That is exactly what I think you do, and nothing else."

"Oi." Marlow sighs, shaking her head. "We've gotta loosen you up." Her eyes light up as she gives me a crafty once-over. "Oh, we are so gonna have fun." She quickly kisses Beau on the cheek and grabs my wrist. "Bye, baby! See you later."

"Where are we going?" Bits of gravel shoot into my boots as Marlow drags me out of the diner toward her car. "Slow down! You're gonna make me scuff up Jesse's momma's boots."

Marlow abruptly halts a foot away from her beat-up sedan. She looks down at my shoes. "Those are Laura's?"

"Yes," I mutter, grinding my heel into the ground. "Jesse gave 'em to me a few nights ago when I cut my foot open." I shoot her a tiny scowl. "You were probably too drunk to remember."

"Uh-huh." Marlow blinks, smirking at me. "Right, and there's nooooothing going on, huh? Whatever you say." She rounds the vehicle, and we both slide inside. She adjusts her rearview mirror. "Well, Savvy, if you like those boots, then you're gonna love where we're headed."

"Am I now?" I ask, dreading whatever plan she's concocting in that red head of hers. "And why's that?"

"'Cause"—she flashes me a calculating grin—"I think it's time to upgrade your wardrobe. If you're gonna be spending the summer here, it's only polite to look the part."

I snort as she pulls out of the parking lot. "You wanna give me a makeover? Really?"

"A little leather won't hurt," she says, chuckling. "Plus, I'm sure it'll drive Jesse wild. It's a win-win."

"But I don'twannadrive Jesse wild!" I whine like an insolent child. "Actually, I don't wanna drive him any way whatsoever. I'll go with you but I ain't shopping. Period."

"Listen, girl," Marlow says, following the signs to the closest town with a shopping center. "Like the old adage goes,when in Rome, do as the Romans do." She glances at my baby blue sundress. "You're in Rome now, babe. Time to assimilate."

When the Romans were building them aqueducts and paving the way for modern society to flourish, I doubt they were wearing high-waisted leather leggings and lacey corset crop tops.

If wewereRomans, Marlow would be a dang Legion Commander of the Imperial Army–the girl doesn't know how to take no for an answer. I swear to God, the poor sales associate probably thought I was being assaulted in that dressing room. I tried my best to resist Marlow's aggressive demands, but my efforts proved to be nothing but futile.

"Everyone's staring," I mutter, self-conscious, as Marlow weaves us through the bustling tables of The Flying Hog. Poe and Jiggs stare at me as we pass their table, drool dang near pooling on the floor. "Marlow, I want to go home."

"No," she says, tightening her grip on my wrist as she makes eye contact with Beau, who's sitting around abooth with Billy, Ryder, and Jimbo. "You said we could stop by for one drink.” She waves at my brother. “Hey, baby!"

"Kill me now," I whimper as the new platform boots Marlow forced me to buy draw more unwanted attention. Beau frowns as we stop at the table. "Hi..."

"What the fuck did you do to my sister?" Beau asks, shaking his head in disapproval. He glares at Marlow. "This your handy work?"

"Doesn't she look hot?" Marlow asks the group of varying-aged men. "Billy? Jim? She looks good, huh?" Marlow's gaze stops on Ryder, who keeps staring at me like I'm a juicy steak. "'Least Ry-Ry thinks she looks bomb."

"Pish." Ryder blows a gust of air from his nose as he runs a hand through his pitch-black hair. "You look sexy as fuck, Alabama." He tosses me a wink. "I'd go south on you any day."

My jaw drops.

"Dude!" Beau barks, chucking a coaster at Ryder's head. "That's my fucking sister."

"Hey!" Ryder throws his hands up in the air. "Mar's the one who asked." He casts me a sleazy smile. "I was just being honest. Girlslovehonesty."

I frown, crossing my arms. "I don't know younearlywell enough for you to smile at me like that, little boy."

Ryder scoffs, licking his lips. "We could always change that. Huh?" He leans on the table and whispers, "JP's not the only one with a spare bedroom, you know?"

"Shut the fuck up, kid." Jimbo smacks his son upside the head. He looks over at me, sighing. "Ignore thisfucking idiot. My son clearly left his manners in the shitter." Jimbo glares at Ryder. "Say sorry to her. Right now!"

"Oh, come on,Ry-Ry," I jeer, tapping my foot impatiently. Billy and Beau watch Ryder with amusement as he refuses to look at me. "What? Suddenly at a loss for words? You seemed to have so many a few seconds ago."

"Say it, Ryder," Billy states in a deep voice. I can see why the man never talks. He's probably worried he'll wake the devil. "Else, I'm putting you on nights."

Ryder grunts out a mumbled apology.

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