Free Something I Need (xoxo Nashville Book 1) by Lena Lowe Page A

fossicking through the shop and loading their arms up with gems. Jonte couldn’t believe she’d found two gorgeous pairs of pre-loved boots in her size – an awesome pair of shorter ones in baby-blue suede, and more traditional red, white, and black leather ones – and both for less than $200 in total.
    “It’s way cheaper than buying ‘em new, and the beauty is that they’re already worn in.” Dolly winked.
    Regardless of her own personal preferences, Jonte played the game and tried on everything Dolly threw at her – teeny tiny snakeskin print halter tops, fringed leather vests, American flag leggings, multi-colored sequin bodysuits, leather hot pants, dozens of printed tanks, and even a flowing green vintage dress.
    When Dolly was satisfied there was nothing else currently in stock that would fit Jonte, they finally made their way to the counter. Also in Jonte’s ‘yes pile’ was a black and white polka-dot dress with a lace décolletage cutout, a vintage white linen playsuit, a pair of distressed denim cut-offs, and even an I love America cropped tank. It was a good start to the collection of clothes she would need to have when she finally landed a gig.
    Dolly was ecstatic with her own finds of the day: a vintage silver faux fur coat she claimed would be perfect for winter, and a pair of almost new cream leather boots that were simply made to be worn with the coat.
    On their way back to the beetle, Dolly caught Jonte eyeing a royal-blue ruffle dress in the window of one of the other boutiques.
    “It’s nice, girly even, but too conservative for the look you’re going for,” Dolly said.
    Jonte was well aware of this. The dress was traditionally pretty and something her mother would have purchased for her, and regularly had. Her mother had an unhealthy obsession with trying to mold Jonte into the perfect daughter. The daughter she’d always wanted. There was no question her mother would have hated the shop they’d just been in, and probably everything she’d bought. Even the polka-dot dress.
    Dolly checked her watch. “Come on, you. We’ve got time for a quick lunch and then we’re off to the hairdressers.”
    By the time they hit the super cute beauty parlor, Jonte was feeling much more comfortable with Dolly. Dolly was fond of giving her a not so gentle nudge to try new things, but when all was said and done, she respected Jonte’s decisions, whatever they were. Together the pair flipped through the color chart while they waited for Dolly’s hairdresser, Jaydee.
    “Show me the actual color of your roots,” Dolly said when they hit the darker shades.
    Jonte studied the chart and pointed to a dark brown with a reddish tinge to it.
    “Pretty. Maybe you should try that. How long have you been blonde for?”
    “Years.” Jonte raised an eyebrow at her new friend. “And here I thought I’d be walking away with blue streaks to match my boots.”
    Dolly let out what Jonte was beginning to recognize as her trademark melodic chortle before replying. “Oh, blue streaks – I love it! Sure, we can do that if you want. I just thought this would look sexy.”
    “Ha! Well I guess that’s a good thing.”
    “Sexy is always a good thing.” Dolly grabbed a handful of Jonte’s hair. “Now tell me, these waves, do they curl when you put some booster in ‘em, or will we need to use a wand?”

    * * *
    I t took Cash’s brain a good twenty seconds to reconcile the fact that the woman walking towards him right now was his sister’s apparent new best friend, Jonte.
    Holy. Shit.
    There was no denying she was already a gorgeous girl, so natural and vivacious. But as she made her way up to the bar now, he knew he was in a shit ton of trouble, just like Tanner had warned yesterday.
    The most obvious difference was definitely her hair. The bleach-blonde, just-stepped-off-the-beach look she had been rocking had morphed into something that was simultaneously sexy and sophisticated; a much darker shade, a shiny