Page 56 of Things Good Girls Don't Do

Katie thought about the times when Steph had said something to piss her off and she’d just let it go. Just smiled and moved on. Steph had been given plenty of free passes, but she had also been there for her through every major letdown. She might have overstepped in a major way, but they had been friends for a long time. Was she ready to just give up on that?

No, she wasn’t, not yet. “All right, if she shows up groveling, I’ll hear her out.”

“Then my job is done. You going to the fireworks next weekend?”

“Yep. Figured since I helped plan them, I might as well enjoy them.”

Becca grinned. “I’d like to tag along with you, if that’s okay.”

Katie laughed. “Deal.”

KATIE WAS LYINGon her bed watching a DVR recording ofThe Vampire Diariesshe’d already seen twice, when her phone beeped. She picked it up and there was a text from Chase:Hey Firecracker, what are you wearing?

Laughing, she looked down at her sweatpants and tank top and texted:Nothing. ;-)

Slinks jumped up on the bed, and his loud, rumbling purr came with him. He crawled up to her side and flopped down, rolling over to expose his fat belly for rubs.

She couldn’t resist him and cooed, “You are such a bad boy, but you’re Mommy’s bad boy, aren’t you? Yes you are.”

Her phone beeped again, and she said, “Look, it’s your favorite person.”

The big cat just kept rubbing against her as she checked the message.Such a tease. Why do you have to mess with me?

Fingers flying over the keys, she wrote back:In bed with another guy too. He’s super sexy and likes when I stroke his belly.

Beep.You better be talking about that damn cat.

She laughed.Maybe. Would it bother you if I wasn’t?

Slinks crawled up on her chest and she tried to read the next text around his head.Yeah it would.

She was smiling so hard it hurt.I’m wearing sweatpants and tank top and yeah, Slinks is lying on my chest. How’re the tats going?

Giving Slinks a hug, she cooed in her best baby voice, “So cuddly tonight. Were you jealous of the hot guy last night? Is that why you peed on his pants?”

A knock sounded at the door and Slinks bolted off the bed, nicking her with his back claws.

“Ow, crap,” she said, rubbing her chest as she got up and walked down the hallway scowling. “I swear, you are the most high-strung cat I have ever had.”

She peeked out the peephole and saw Steph. Taking a breath, she pulled the door open. “Hey.”

Steph gave her a tentative smile. “Hey.”

Katie wasn’t feeling particularly gracious. “So what do you want?”

“Wow, that was direct,” Steph joked, and when Katie didn’t even crack a smile, she continued. “I’m so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it, I was just so frustrated because you were just starting to get better after Jimmy left and I was just worried that you were going to end up in a funk again if Chase hurt you.” She paused and added, “Plus I was a little jealous.”

“Jealous? Of me?” Katie said, flabbergasted.

“Of course you. You have always been this sweet, tiny thing who everyone always raved about. My own mother used to ask why I couldn’t be more like you. And it was okay, ’cause you were my better half, and we had the same plan of getting married and having a family. But this whole thing with Chase made me realize that you were free to do anything you wanted while I was stuck here. And I was a little jealous of that freedom,” Steph said.

“Steph ...” Katie’s coolness melted a bit at her best friend’s confession.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Jared and there is no better guy in the world for me. No one else would put up with my drama or my mess, but every once in a while I wonder how my life might have been different,” Steph said. “And I just felt like you might decide that the plan wasn’t what you wanted anymore and move on, leave me behind.”

“Steph, I have been jealous of you for years. You are living the dream, my friend. You met your soul mate. That hardly ever happens anymore.” Katie understood where Steph was coming from, but she needed to realize that Katie could handle herself. And her love life. “And part of the reason I am finally coming out of that funk is because of Chase. He makes me happy. I don’t know what’s going to happen with us in the future, but right now I am the happiest I have ever been. Even happier than I was with Jimmy.”

Steph snorted. “Of course, anyone’s a step up from Jimmy.” She shook her head. “I do want you to be happy, and I am really, really sorry.”

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