She leaned in also. “Make. Me. Marlon.”
The magical words.
I put her over my shoulder in an instant.
“Ay! Ay!” Put me down!” She drummed into my back like it was supposed to do something. “I didn’t agree to this!”
People stared.
“Nothing to see here folks,” I announced to passers by. “Just a member of the upper class not getting their way.”
We got to curbside,where the SUV was waiting and I dropped her ass on the pavement.
“Do something stupid, and the dog gets left.”
“You ain’t got the nuts, nigga.”
“You know I do. So shut it.”
The finger again.
“That’s three.” I warned. But she held up the one on her other hand anyway.
I point at both, “Aight, bet.”
Lavender started organizing the bags with military precision. She called over two porters, then three. Then—God help me—five?
“Ay! Be careful with that one!” Aurora yelled, pointing. “That’s my skincare and unless you’re planning on going to Korea to replace it, you better not break a single fucking bottle!”
“Didn’t I say be quiet?” I yelled back.
Lavender checked her list.
“All items accounted for,” she commanded, relief softening her voice. Then she added, almost shy, “This is… a lot.”
“A lot is an understatement,” I say, sliding the last bag in.
Aurora lifted her head again. “You’re lucky this is only my summer items.”
I slammed the trunk with more force than necessary. “You’re so…”
Don’t. Ignore her.
Lavender opened the rear door for her but Aurora looked at me like I’m supposed to carry her again.
I stared back. “Walk.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I can’t, Marley. I’m still dizzy from all the drugs you gave me. It’s still slowly working its way out of my system.”
“Sir!” Lavender gasped. “Youreallydid drug her?”
“It was half of a pill.”
“And alcohol.”
