Free Above All Else: A Bad Boy Military Romance (Easy Team Book 2) by Gemma Hart

girl!”
                  My lips twitched imagining Sofia as a “country girl.” I remembered the magazines showcasing the evening dresses she had worn to red carpet events or movie premieres. The girl had literally grown up in a palace. I couldn’t think of anyone less “country.”
                  Until Jeannie pulled back the curtains.
                  From behind the curtains, stepped out Sofia. She wore fitted jeans that had a soft wear to them. She had on sturdy little black boots and on top, a loose green flannel that not only brought out her eyes but also flattered her hair. Her long, loose copper blonde hair fell in tantalizing waves over her shoulders, somehow looking brighter and softer against the green. Her skin looked like fresh cream and her blue eyes nearly glowed.
                  No, she didn’t look like the red carpet diva. She didn’t look like a princess. But she didn’t look like a country girl, either. She never seemed to fit exactly one description. There was so much to her that she seemed to defy descriptions or labels.
                  She was just…Sofia.
                  Jeannie grinned, pleased. “Oh would you look at that, Sofia! You made your man’s jaw drop! Now that’s always a good sign!”
                  Sofia blushed at Jeannie’s words but looked up at me, a little shyly, as if making sure I was indeed pleased with the look.
                  Not wanting her to doubt it, I said, “You look…amazing.”
                  Sofia’s cheeks pinkened beautifully.
                  Jeannie shoved me out of my reverie by pushing two giant shopping bags brimming with clothes at me. “Do your lady a favor and carry those out for her,” she said, winking at me.
                  Jeannie grabbed Sofia’s arm and led her out to the front door. “Now you come back in the summer, you hear? We get some lovely summer dresses around that time and I also do the hemming around here so if you see anything, you let me know! I’ll make sure to alter it to your size!”
                  I thought Sofia would cringe back at the familiar touches like she had in entering the shop but I was surprised to see her pat Jeannie’s arm as she said, “And you let me know if you want anymore make up tips. It would be hard to top the natural beauty that you are,” Jeannie giggled madly like a schoolgirl at the compliment, “but I think that you would look amazing in some chocolate brown eye shadow. Really would give your eyes some beautiful depth.”
                  That was when it hit me. Sofia had retouched Jeannie’s make up. Jeannie was still wearing her loud blue eye shadow but instead of it looking garish, it somehow had become more subtle and cleaner looking. Sofia had somehow managed to soften the older woman’s face so that she looked as gentle and as sweet as she actually was.
                  And what a difference it made! Holy shit, make up really was magic.
                  Jeannie waved us off, thanking Sofia for all her tips and help, saying she couldn’t wait to go show her friends all her new make up tricks.
                  I took Sofia down the street to Petey’s, the local diner. As soon as we entered, we were bombarded with hellos. It was a small town and everyone knew everyone and if they didn’t know you, they would get to know you.
                  “Xander, back again!”
                  “Xander, the usual, right?”
                  “Look at that tan there, Xan! Haven’t been sneaking off to the Bahamas again, have you?”
                  “Who’s the pretty girl?”
                  As soon as we sat down in a booth, a waitress stepped up to take our order. She looked over Sofia curiously. “Hi,” she said to Sofia. “I’m