Page 61 of Out of Place

“Whose side are you on?” I ask.

“No one’s side. Just making sure she has the truth.”

Serena laughs. “Alright, girl. Get us some damn chicken wings, then.”

Landon orders the food and then nods to the dance floor. “Should we show Serena your new dance moves?”

“Absolutely.” I turn to Serena, who is trailing her hand up and down Bennett’s arm. “Serena, let’s dance.”

She looks to the dance floor and cringes. “I don’t know—”

I don’t let her finish. “Come on. When have you ever backed down from a challenge?”

She smirks at me and takes my hand, pulling Bennett along behind her.

I attempt to show Serena some moves on the dance floor, but Bennett eventually takes over when I’m whisked off with Landon.

We stay out there, dance after dance. I try my best to follow Landon’s steps while watching everyone else. I never thought I’d be a line dancer, but it’s actually kind of fun. Everyone moves in one big group and still manages to put their own style into it. I’m tripping over my feet a lot, but I’ll be as good as everyone else soon enough.

After a few songs, I look over my shoulder just in time to see Serena pull Bennett’s face toward her to kiss him.

CHAPTER 24

Landon

As much fun as it was to see Olivia with her best friend, I’m glad I’ve got her all to myself again.

After the bar last night, we’re all dragging this morning. Reason number one for why we don’t go out on work nights. To Olivia’s credit, she still showed up when she was supposed to. Dottie gave her the day off from the farmers market, but she still has to work. I imagine Olivia is better off than us because she didn’t drink.

A little after the sun comes up, Olivia runs back to the house to tell Serena goodbye. I wait on the back porch for her to come out.

“You alright?” I ask, pulling her into my arms.

She exhales deeply. “Yeah. It was great to see her. I miss the hell out of her, but I kinda like the routine I’ve got going here.”

“You? Princess of New York likes the farm routine?” I ask.

She steps back and playfully punches my shoulder. “Trust me. The moment my feet hit the ground in the city, I’m putting my tiara back on.”

I laugh even though the thought of her back in New York makes my heart sink. “I don’t doubt that one bit.”

“Thanks for coming with us last night.”

“Where you go, I go, sweetheart. But I was a little nervous for poor Benny. He’s not used to that kind of attention.”

Olivia laughs. “It’s his own fault for walking in there looking like he stepped straight out of Serena’s dream with that cowboy hat on.”

I nuzzle into her neck. “Should I get a cowboy hat? Would that turn you on?”

She tugs at the back of my hat. “You turn me on just fine with this. You could maybe do something about these clothes, though. And those boots. . .”

“Oh. You don’t like my clothes, huh?”

She shrugs. “I mean, they’re kind of dirty.”

Her voice is full of humor. I grab her by the waist and hoist her over my shoulder.

She squeals loudly with her ass in the air. “I’m going to show you just how dirty I can be.”