Page 53 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

He’d hugged her. “It’s not about how good you are or how many rules you follow. You just have to meet someone you can stand to live with for a lifetime and go for it.”

“Gee, that’s romantic. Not someone I can love, just stand,” she’d said.

“Girls always want to talk about their feelings and beat a subject to death, whereas manly men like myself like to just say, ‘Hey baby, you wanna do this thing?’” he’d said.

She’d burst into that charming laugh, ladylike snort and all. “Not all guys are like that.”

“Uh, yes they are, unless they’ve conformed to the romantic-comedy st

andard of what a relationship should be.”

“I’m not looking for the perfect rom-com relationship. I’d just settle for someone to love me for me.”

“You mean the sweet, docile version of you who cuts hair and never steps out of line, or the quick-witted, naughty girl who isn’t afraid of anything?” he’d asked.

“I want to be both. I can follow my mother’s ideals without letting people take advantage. And I can tell people how I feel without being brutal. I just need to find a happy medium,” she’d said.

After that, the subject had changed to her work. How much she loved cosmetology, creating something that brought people so much joy and confidence.

“That moment when I’m done blow-drying or curling and I show them their hair, it’s like they’re seeing themselves in a new light. They feel good and they walk a little straighter. Not that I always have happy clients, but for the ones that get that little spark afterward, that’s why I love it.”

He’d understood what she meant. She was an artist in her own way, just like he was.

They’d spent several hours in that place, talking, teasing, and touching. He couldn’t seem to get enough of being near Katie. She was soft and warm, with just enough spice. She really didn’t like to hurt people’s feelings, which he had to give her mom props for. She’d raised a decent human being.

While they were in one of the trendy shops, Chase had dared her to steal something, even just a key chain. She’d made it all the way to the door and stopped. Veering left to the counter, she’d bought a cheesy pink rabbit’s foot, and handed it to him for good luck. He’d taken it with a smile, knowing she wouldn’t go through with it. There were some rules that Katie just couldn’t bring herself to break.

While riding out of town, she had insisted they stop and try a fast-food place called The Snow Bunny. He’d stopped, but Katie’s description of the amazing food had left him doubtful it could measure up. He’d taken his first bite and groaned at how good the burger was. She’d laughed as she dipped her fries in the homemade fry sauce. “I told you it was yummy.”

They’d taken their time on the drive home, stopping to explore. Chase had rolled his eyes when Katie kept taking pictures of them on her phone, but it actually made it all seem more real. He’d slipped up earlier, suggesting he’d teach her to snowboard, but something about the way she’d looked at him made him think she hadn’t minded. That maybe she’d been thinking about them as more than just hanging out too.

Back at her house, she flipped on the light, and Chase caught a glimpse of a black fluff ball meowing nasally. When he spotted Chase, the cat’s gold eyes narrowed and he hissed before crawling down the hallway on his belly.

“Well, I guess it’s safe to say your cat hates me.”

“Slinks hates everyone but me,” Katie said, smiling. “I found him hiking four years ago, this tiny black kitten in a skunk trap, covered in filth. I brought him home and gave him a bath, but it took him two weeks to get to the point where he would come to me willingly. He hated Jimmy with a fiery passion, and he’s only just started letting Steph touch him.”

Chase came in behind her and shut the door. “Speaking of, still don’t want to talk about what happened with you two?”

It’s none of your business. Let it go.

She put her purse down and said, “She just said something hurtful about my little changes. I don’t really want to talk about it, okay?”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Want me to go?”

“No. Stay,” she said, leaning back against him.

“We could try out some of that edible massage gel,” he said, running his hands over her stomach.

Twisting around in his arms, she kissed his neck. “Is that you trying to get me to give you a massage?”

“I am a little stiff from the drive.” He grimaced to emphasize his point.

She slid her hands around to his abdomen and started moving lower. “Mmm, I can feel that.”

Considering where she had her hands, he hoped so. “So maybe we should take this into your bedroom and work on easing some of my tension.”

“I think that is an excellent plan, Mr. Trepasso.”

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