The Scars That Make Us (Second Generation Book 3)

Chapter 11

CATARINA

“What about this one?” Nola held up a yellow flowy skirt and did a little shimmy with her hips.

“Yes, a million times over. I love that color on you.” She flung the hanger over her arm and we moved through the rest of the displays of clothing items. We were hanging out in Lawerence, the town that the ranch was located within, and the lady at the soda shop told us that there was an area right off Main Street that had a couple of boutiques with local designers. I knew that I had to check them out.

The first place we went to was a small jewelry store. When I say small, I mean small. I’m pretty sure if Nola and I stood with touching wingspans that we could hit both walls. The woman that ran it was one of those women that were going so sparkle from head to toe until the day she died and then would request to be buried in her favorite items. Nola bought a chunky necklace and some stacked rings and I purchase a few new bangles.

We’re in the second shop now, which is a decent size larger and carries clothing. I had my arm full of shirts that I wanted to try on and then a dress that I didn’t have an occasion for, but I knew I needed to own it. The maxi dress was white with exposed shoulders. The entire hemline went down to the floor, but there was a split up the center that was the perfect mix of stylish and sexy. 

“When is lover boy going to be here?” Nola looked up while holding up a tank top with a western-style applique for me to comment on. I laughed and shook my head.

“He said it was going to take at least a half-hour to get into town. I’m sure he’ll be here soon. Maybe we should go check out just to be on the safe side.”

We head to the front register and purchase the items that we picked out. The young lady working the registers looks to be maybe in her early twenties. We old a pleasant conversation with her and she waves us goodbye as we walk out of the store with our bags. I told Jace where we were going to be and be said he’d meet us on the street, but I didn’t expect that he’d be walking down the street in our direction. Our eyes met and I felt like I was in some romantic movie because I dropped my bags and ran in his direction.

Jace wrapped his arms around me and I threw myself into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his trunk of a body and if I was wearing a dress or skirt today, I would have been jailed for indecent exposure. Thankfully I had on a pair of skinny jeans instead. With complete ease, Jace held me in his arms and our lips connected. I felt like we had been long lost lovers that hadn’t seen each other in ages. Yet really, we had only known each other a few days and it was only a day without seeing him a person, a long fucking day.

“Did you get even more beautiful while you were gone?” He gently set me down onto the ground and spun me around.

“Oh stop it. I look the same, except I got a facial, so there was that.” I grab his hand and start walking down to where I left Nola. “Come meet Nola!”

“Of course.”

We get to Nola and she has a massive grin on her face. “You must be the sexy cowboy that stole my best friend away from me this week.” She puts her hand out and Jace shakes it.

“That would be me. I’m not even going to apologize. These last few days have been the best in my life.” He slips his arm around my waist and I’m pretty sure Nola swoons while she’s watching us. 

“Soooooo…….I’m going to go ahead and make myself scarce for a bit of time.”

“Are you sure? I honestly don’t mind if you want to hang out with us.”