“Do you mind if I ask you a question, darlin'?""Only if you stop calling me darlin'""Now where I come from that's a term of endearment.""Really? Well, where I come from motherfucker is a term of endearment. Want me to start calling you that?”

“She still sighed out her answer, though. “Fine. I’ll go.”“Now, darlin’. I know I’m pulling you away from playing grab ass with my oldest boy onhis nice hardwood floor…” Angie barely stopped herself from spitting out her mouthfulof coffee. “But if he’s anything like his daddy, trust me, he’ll still be here when you getback.”

“Don’t fret none, darlin’. I got your back.” “You said that in Budapest. I still have the scars, too.”

“True, but now you’ve got Bren. Think of it like an extra pair of thermal underwear. Sometimes you’re in a situation when you really need two.” Ronnie started to sip her hot chocolate but stopped and put her cup back down. “Darlin’, that is one of the dumbest analogies I’ve heard in a long time.”

“Your charm makes me want to punch you in the nose.”That made Ricky chuckle. “I’m not trying to piss you off, darlin’. Just trying to get you to give me a chance.” “Why?” she had to ask. “I’m really not that interesting. I’m cute but not stunning. I’m not excessively tall. And sexually, I’m rather vanilla. So then what is it?”Rickey decided to be honest with her. “I like your hair.”She suddenly went tense. “You don’t have to be mean.” “I’m not. I like curls. If we have sex, can I play with them?” “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

“All right. Talk to me darlin'. You're not insane. A little crazy, but not insane. And this...everything you've gotten...in the last few days...do you know how many people would kill for this?""But...”

“You sure are good with cats—for a canine.” Dez sat down on the couch opposite Smitty, her son asleep in her arms. “Not as good as you, my sweet Dez.” “Well, darlin’, you lack the equipment for that.”