Page 48 of The Sins of Silas

Yep, I decided Ireallyliked Dani. I reached into the pouch and grinned as I layered on black mascara, dusted blush on my cheeks, and put on some lip gloss.

To an unknowing eye, you’d never guess what I had endured the past couple of months. I had leaned out since I was last in Ames…starving will do that. But I still appeared healthy.

My mind was anything but.

Should I even go out? Should I even try with him?

I was startled by a knock at my door. Smoothing the wrinkles out of my dress and brushing my hair behind my ear, I opened the door to find Roland grinning, his smile quickly falling.

He was wearing a maroon tunic, tight black pants, and black boots. His hair had been cut—he must’ve done that while I slept. The sides were shaved short, the length on top longer, and styled off to the side with some gel.

My lips were parted as I took him in.

“Holy hell, Ginger Snap.” His eyes roamed over my body, and then his bright smile shone as we made eye contact. “You look stunning.”

I felt my cheeks heating but straightened my back. “I like your haircut,” I said softly.

His eyes sparkled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah…” I gave a shy smile, and then I cleared my throat. “I was actually coming to find you. I was wondering if you wanted to…hang out.”

He narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face as he replied, “Hang out?”

I crossed my arms, mostly to hide the trembling of my hands. “I just wanted to get out of my room,” I muttered.

“Well…I’m headed to this spot Dani told me about. Drinks, dancing,” he said excitedly. “Want to come with me?”

My grin turned evil. "I'd love to come with you.”

Roland blinked, then barked out a laugh. “See! I'm rubbing off on you.”

I spared him a glance as I shut and locked my door. “My mind's first response to that is,'I can rub you off.'I'd argue that you have corrupted me.”

He laughed harder, and my heart skipped a beat as he interlaced our fingers and gazed down at me in what almost appeared like adoration. “I'm so glad I met you,” he murmured lovingly. Then, he pulled us toward our destination.

The bar called Lost Anchor was lively, with many people already crowding the tables and couches scattered about. It was a rustic-style cabin that rested along the shore of the sea, with tall wooden beams and twinkle lights dangling from the ceiling.

There was a performer off to the side, playing guitar for tips. The sound was calming as people chatted and drank their cocktails. It was too early for the dancing to begin—Roland informed me that at around ten, the lights get low, and the now empty sunken room and stage in the center of this bar would be crammed with moving, sweaty bodies.

“So…” I drawled as I sat across from him at a high table, Roland handing me the fruity drink he ordered me.

“So…” He sipped from his first glass, grinning like a fool. He had ordered us two drinks each.

I swallowed mybeverage, savoring the warmth that spread through me from it, then rested my cheek on my fist. “What'd I miss while I slept the day away?”

My eyes dipped when Roland pulled his glass away from his mouth, his tongue swiping along his bottom lip. His eyes scanned the menu before us. “Nothing much. I woke up around three, nearly cried when I ate something fresh, and got this haircut.” He motioned to his cropped hair, then smiled, his eyes lifting. “Then, I waited for you until I couldn't any longer, hence the knocking on your door.”

I returned the expression before my stare nervously lowered. “I can't wait to eat,” I sighed, peering down to scan the menu. Despite this place being on the water, there were limited seafood options. I decided to order herb-crusted chicken breast and a side of mashed potatoes, and Roland ended up doing the same.

“How original,” I teased as we handed our waitress our menus.

Roland's heated smile remained, and as I studied him, sipping from my drink, I couldn't understand how anyone could dislike him.

“Why is your group so annoyed with you at times?” I asked.

He scoffed. “Aren’t you always annoyed with me?”

I chuckled and glanced down, sipping my drink again. “Yes. In a good way, though.”

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