Page 37 of The Prettiest Outlaw

I glanced over at her before I shut off the car. “Stealing cars.”

“And now you own a body shop, and he owns a detail shop? Okay. I guess that’s one way to do it. At least you’re both legal now.”

“We are.”

“And you would recommend him? I’m looking for somewhere to take my truck. I usually take it toJiffy Shine, but I promise I think those dudes are profiling me. I feel like every time I go there, they pull a price out of the sky.”

“I definitely recommend Play’s spot. My clientele is heavily feminine, and I always recommend Play. I’ve never gotten negative feedback. My customers usually become his customers and vice versa.” I got out of the Mustang then walked around to open the door for her—taking her hand as I did so.

We walked into the spot and up to the counter hand in hand. Play grinned as soon as his eyes landed on me, but when he noticed that I was holding Julianna’s hand, the wattage intensified. He came from behind the counter.

“The fuck is up?” he asked congenially, slapping my palm in greeting.

“Not much. What’s up with you?”

“Working. Making bread. Trying to stack it, so at some point, I can sit my ass down.”

“Facts.”

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said to Julianna before turning to me. “Who is this? You’re not gonna introduce us?”

“Relax. Always gotta be over the top. Julianna, this is Play.”

“Hey,” she said, pretending to be shy.

“Play, this is Julianna…Outlaw.”

Since I was watching him closely for his reaction, I saw his eyes balloon slightly for a millisecond before he schooled his expression.

“Ahh.” His head nodded up and down. “Gianni Outlaw’s youngest daughter. I won’t say that I recognized you, but I can definitely see the resemblance. I know it’s been a few years, but I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. It’s been a few years, but it still feels brand new to me.”

“I know it does, lil mama. Death ain’t shit. And Gianni was the most upstanding dude associated with that organization. We lost a real one when we lost him.”

“Thank you,” she told him.

“Aye, stop sucking up to my…to her,” I said.

“Shut up, and give me the damn keys.” He held out his hand, and I placed my keys in it. “Go find some business while my guys work their magic.”

“Later.”

“It was nice meeting you,” Julianna called out.

“You too.”

“We’ll be back in about an hour,” I said as I led her to the door.

It was the first week of March, so while it wasn’t freezing, it definitely wasn’t warm enough to just be outside kicking it. Without my car, we were vulnerable to the elements.

“Where are we going?” she asked, her grip on my hand tightening.

“Down the street to have breakfast.” I gestured down the block. “Come on.”

The two of us walked the half a block that it took to get to L.R Skillets. We could smell the aromas before I even pulled the door open for her.

“Mmm, it smells good.” She turned to look at me as we walked inside.

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