Page 65 of Things Good Girls Don't Do

“Hey, hey, have no fear, Becca is here,” Becca said, flopping down next to Katie.

Katie scooted over to give Becca more room and said, “Hey, I thought you were going to ride over with me? I tried to call you.”

Becca lowered her voice. “I got a last-minute customer right as I started to close up, and you will never believe who it was.”

Steph leaned over Katie and hissed, “Who?”

“Hey, nosy neighbor, personal space,” Katie said.

“Hush up, I want to be in on the gossip. So who was it?” Steph asked.

Becca looked around dramatically before whispering, “Mrs. Andrews.”

Katie scoffed. “Yeah right.”

“Ew, that’s gross. She’s in her fifties.” Steph made a face.

“People in their fifties still have sex,” Becca said.

“I can’t believe it,” Katie said, still skeptical. “What did she buy?”

“Now I can’t tell you that,” Becca said, waggling her eyebrows. “Let’s just say that I hope Mr. Andrews’s ticker is in good working order.”

CHASE LOOKED AROUNDfor Katie, spotting the back of her blond and purple head. She was sitting with Jared, Steph, and Becca, toward the front spread of people and blankets. He grabbed the sack of white cheddar popcorn from his passenger seat, knowing Katie was going to try to hog the bag since it was her favorite, but he didn’t care. He liked to watch her get that sparkly smile on her face when she was happy. Especially when it was because of something he did.

Trouble. That’s what he was in, but he couldn’t help the way he felt. Katie was the girl he’d always fantasized about. Kind, funny, loving. Someone who wouldn’t give up on the people she loved.

The first firework shot off too low, and everyone screamed, hollered, and a few even scrambled to their feet to run. He was a little afraid to sit with them now, as close as they were to the action. Maybe he would ask Katie to move back a bit. They could watch from a safe distance and be all alone ...

Yeah, he liked that plan. He made his way through the people and came up toward their blanket.

Becca ask, “Where’s your boyfriend?”

Katie said, “He was going to try to make it, but I guess he couldn’t get out of the shop.”

Boyfriend? Part of him wanted to beat his chest like a caveman and crow. He felt honored, proud, happy, and ...

Then there was the part of him that wanted to back away slowly, make no sudden movements, and make a run for it.

How could he explain it? He wanted to be with Katie, deep down he knew that. But the scared guy he’d always been heard the wordboyfriendand freaked.

“You came!” Katie said excitedly when she turned around and spotted him. Jumping up, she wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “I’m so glad you’re here, they are still trying to ... hey, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I brought you popcorn.” Another firework shot off, this one barely higher than the last.

She dropped her arms from his waist and watched him with concerned eyes as she reached out for the bag. “Thanks, but are you sure you’re okay? You seem weird.”

He needed to get away from her, compose himself. “You know, I’m gonna grab another blanket from the car. This one looks a little crowded.”

Turning to walk away, Chase told himself to stop being ridiculous. Katie probably thought it was easier not to correct Becca’s assumption. He was panicking for nothing. Reaching into the back of the Blazer for another blanket, a soft hand fell on his arm.

Katie stood next to him, looking worried. “Hey, there’s something up with you. Talk to me.”

“Nothing. Just thought I’d grab another blanket and maybe we’d sit a little farther back,” he said as several fireworks shot up in the air and exploded overhead.

Katie smiled and reached her arms up around his shoulders. “Aw, is a big, strong guy like you really afraid of a few little fireworks?”

Relief flooded his body as she teased him. They could stay like this, at least for a while. He could have Katie to himself without having to put a label on it. They could play and banter, and maybe down the road the thought of being called “boyfriend” wouldn’t scare the holy fuck out of him.

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