Page 14 of Things Good Girls Don't Do

Watching him while she gnawed absently on her own slice, she considered his proposal. It would be nice to have somebody to call up to hang out with, and not have to sit at home twiddling her thumbs. Shewasfun, except she hadn’t really met anyone to be fun with. Almost every weekend she went with Steph to Buck’s or Hank’s Bar, or to the movies, but she was sick and tired of playing third wheel with Steph and Jared. Even when Justin Silverton, Jared’s best friend, came along, she could never think of Justin in that way. Not that he wasn’t nice to look at, being a former marine and already quite hunky, but he had never been more than just one of the gang. He certainly didn’t make her heart pound or her palms sweat like Chase. Maybe he was exactly what she needed. Someone who wouldn’t lie to her about what he wanted, and who she wouldn’t dream about getting serious with.

Lord knew her mother would have disapproved. It was a sobering thought, her mother. She would have definitely told her to steer clear of Chase.

She also doesn’t have to spend her nights alone with a fat black cat and whatever bad reality crap is on TV. She would want you to be happy and live your life, not mope around because your plan A didn’t work.

Mind made up, she threw the paper plate into the trash and asked, “So say I’m interested. What are the ground rules?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Rules? We have to have rules?”

“Of course there need to be rules. For instance, this is going to be fun. Casual. So no holding hands. No kissing in public. No romantic gestures like flowers or chocolates,” she said, counting off each item on her finger.

Chuckling, he said, “Ah, Firecracker, I have never made a romantic gesture in my life. And I’m not exactly the type to skip about town holding hands and playing footsy under the table.”

That’s not true. Going to the grocery store for a woman because she forgot is pretty romantic and chivalrous.She didn’t mention it, though. Instead she ignored his sarcasm and continued, “And if and when we ... you know, it will be on my terms, and I don’t want you spreading it around to your buddies at Buck’s.”

He lost his smile. “First of all, if you’re old enough to ‘do it,’ then you should be able to say it. Sex. Screw. Laid. Fu—”

She slapped her hand over his mouth and growled, “Stop. Don’t be vulgar.”

Reaching up, he removed her hand and nibbled on her palm. “Stop acting like such a stick. I’m not the type of guy to kiss and tell.”

Jerking her hand back, Katie snapped, “I’m sorry I impugned your honor, but I’m not used to this. I wasn’t raised for this, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for you. It reminds me of my first internship in college, at the police station.” She could tell by the surprised lift of his brow that he didn’t believe her. “What? I wanted to be a cop. I even took a class on firearms and takedown tactics.”

“So, why didn’t you?”

She blushed. “The detective I worked under wanted me to read a statement to him, but every other word was a curse and my mom had always told me that ladies didn’t talk like that. So I was blanking and bleeping out all the bad words and when I finished, he took the paper from me. I thought he was going to yell at me, but he just read it to me, every effing word of it, then handed it back and said, ‘Now read it right or maybe you should rethink your career path.’ I finished up the semester and transferred to cosmetology. It was just a better fit for me.”

“Surprised you didn’t pick kindergarten teacher or nurse. Cosmetology is kind of a big jump, isn’t it?” he said.

“Not really. I wanted to be a cop to protect people, and help them. I’m just helping them in a different way by making them feel good about themselves. And the pay is way better,” she said with a smile.

“Fair enough,” he said. “So, your list is all about breaking a bunch of rules, right? Whose?”

Katie flushed. “My mom’s rules. She had certain ideas on what a lady did or said, but following the rules hasn’t exactly gotten me what I wanted.”

“What is it you want?” he asked.

Katie’s laugh was bitter, even to her ears. “What does any girl want? A big house with a wraparound porch and a few rocking chairs facing the best view. A couple of kids running around, making mischief, and a husband who loves me and wouldn’t hurt me for the world.” Sighing, she walked over to the box of pizza and asked, “Do you want any more?”

Chase just shook his head and she went to slip it into the fridge.

“If that’s your goal, then why the list? How are purple streaks and a one-night stand going to help you get those?” he asked.

“I have pretty much given up on finding the guy of my dreams. The list was just about living my life, and not playing it safe anymore,” she said.

“What are you, thirty? You’ve got plenty of time to get married and have kids,” he said.

“Not in a town like this. If you don’t find someone to marry in high school, or maybe even college, you have to move away ’cause Mr. Right’s not here,” she said.

“So why don’t you move?” he asked.

“Because this is my home. I love it here. My friends are here and honestly, I’ve accepted my lot in life,” she said.

“No you haven’t, and you shouldn’t. A girl like you is supposed to get married and you’ll have buckets of kids someday. Trust me,” he said.

“A girl like me?” she said, smiling.

“Yeah, you know. Pretty. Sweet. Likes kids. Helps old people across the street. Every man wants to marry a Girl Scout,” he said.

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