Page 59 of Out of Place

Our food is delivered just then, thankfully ending this conversation.

CHAPTER 23

Olivia

After lunch, where Serena watches in awe as I eat my entire cheeseburger, fries, and down a Dr. Pepper, we walk down the sidewalk arm in arm until we get to a little boutique Landon told me about. I haven’t gone in because I didn’t want to be tempted to buy anything and give my parents another reason to leave me here longer.

The store is cute but not exactly our style. It doesn’t stop Serena from gasping as she floats through the displays. Country music is playing from the speakers, but it’s just one more thing I’ve become accustomed to. From hearing it at Cowboy’s to listening on Landon’s truck radio, it’s just become normal. I even know some of the songs, and it freaks me out when I catch myself singing the words.

The clothes are very country chic. That’s the best way I can describe it. None of this would ever be in a Sterling’s department store. The first thing I notice is the giant display of cowboy boots against the wall. Serena, however, starts digging through a rack of dresses.

The pretty woman behind the counter comes straight for us with a huge smile.

“Welcome in, y’all. Is there anything I can help you find?” she asks.

I’m about to tell her no, but Serena beats me to it. “We’re just browsing, but do you have anything new in stock?”

Serena wants “new” because she’d never be caught dead in something someone else could be wearing. I know this because I’m the same way. Or at least, I used to think showing up with someone else wearing the same thing would be hella embarrassing.

“Well, we just got in our new items for football season. Those are our hottest items at the moment.”

“Football?” Serena and I say in unison. Her face looks just as disgusted as mine. I look around and see jerseys, team dresses, and even jeans with a team name embroidered down the leg. No. Nope. Definitely not.

“It’s football season, y’all!” the woman laughs. “But how about one of these new shirts?”

She holds up a white crop top with long, poofy sleeves. It’s beautiful, and I can tell Serena falls in love with it.

“Absolutely,” Serena says. “This is what I’m looking for.” She finds her size on the rack and carries it around while we browse, adding more to her try on pile.

“Are you new around here?” the woman asks.

“Nope. I’m just visiting my best friend.” Serena points to me. “But I’m Serena.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Marren.” She looks at me. “Are you Landon’s girl?”

I almost choke. A complete stranger knows me as Landon’s girl? I’ve never been known as anyone’s anything except for my parents’ daughter.

“How did you know that?” I ask.

She laughs. “Well, I’ve heard a lot about you, and since I haven’t seen you in here before, I assumed it had to be you. I’m also friends with his sister, Lucy.”

“Well then, yes, I’m Landon’s girl.” It feels weird to admit it out loud, but it’s the truth. He called himself my boyfriend yesterday, but I hadn’t even thought about it before that.

Serena and I follow Marren around the store as she points out different items that just came in. I’ll admit, there are some really cute things in here. I’d probably buy most of it if I wasn’t on lockdown with my credit card.

Serena turns to me with several hangers in her hands. “We’re getting new outfits for tonight. My treat.”

“Serena. . .” I start.

“No. Nope. I’m not taking no for an answer. We’re getting new outfits because we need to blend in with the town. I can guarantee you that nothing in my suitcase will do that.”

“You really don’t have to,” I try again.

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “I know I don’t have to. I want to. And let’s be honest, whatever we buy here would be so much cheaper than one dress at Saks. Daddy will be proud that I’m bargain shopping.”

I can’t argue with that logic, so I let her pull me into a changing room.

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