Page 32 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

“Hey, don’t sweat it. I’ll see you after the parade,” he said.

“Wait . . .” But he was already walking away, without even looking back. Had she really hurt his feelings? It certainly hadn’t felt good on her end to have him just go marching off in the middle of their conversation.

Mrs. Andrews broke her trance by yelling, “Come on, Canyon Que

en, get a move on! You are the highlight of this parade!”

Following her, Katie hurried to get on the fluffy float, and was greeted by a group of giggling teenagers and young women, all hoping to be the next Canyon Queen. They stood along the sides, sacks of candy in their hands, as Katie climbed up to the big throne and sat down. She kept thinking about Chase’s reaction to her PDA protest. They had said they would keep things casual, but somehow they’d been caught kissing in public twice. If she openly kissed him in the middle of a town event, it would be . . .

Well, people would think they were serious about each other.

The parade started, and she waved while the girls on the float tossed candy to the crowd. Her eyes scanned the faces for Chase, but she didn’t see him. By the time the monstrosity was over, all she wanted to do was find him and apologize. But first she needed to make sure the booth for her salon was set up and ready to go.

She went back to the bathroom to change and Mrs. Andrews came in right behind her. “Oh Katie, that was wonderful. The parade went off without a hitch. Now don’t forget to be at the booth at three for your kissing shift!”

As the woman left, Katie found herself muttering, “Yeah, I know when my shift is. I organized the damn thing.”

Too bad Mrs. Andrews hadn’t heard her, rushing from the bathroom like her skirt was on fire. The woman was like a hurricane: fast and emotionally destructive.

Katie changed into her new white halter, jean skirt, and cowboy boots, and hoped Chase would love the top, which tied behind her neck, and once across her back with thin shoe lace straps, leaving most of her back bare. Another sexy and adorable buy from Sweet Tarts. She left the bathroom to make sure everything was set for the fair. After that was done, she would find Chase.

Like every other business in Rock Canyon, K.C.’s Salon had a booth, and all the employees were taking shifts. They had set up a ring toss where people could win little sample bags of products or free haircut coupons, and a table was covered with products and accessories for sale. Katie’s shift was from twelve to two, and then the kissing booth at three.

It was eleven thirty when she headed toward Chase’s booth. Katie saw him sitting down, putting a henna tattoo on Kirsten Winters, and felt a stirring of jealousy. Kirsten was very pretty and one of those girls who would do anything to get a man’s attention.

She almost kept walking, but he looked up and saw her, his gray eyes dark. He was just so damn beautiful, she couldn’t look away from him.

He patted Kirsten and said something to her with a smile. She stood up with a smile, handed him a few bills and said hello to Katie as she passed. Katie liked Kirsten, had been doing her hair for years, but she didn’t like the invitation in her eyes when she’d looked at Chase. After one last wave, she walked her cute size-two butt away with an exaggerated sway of her hips.

Katie raised her eyebrow at Chase and said, “Guess I’m not the only one who noticed you, huh?”

He shrugged. “She’s not my type.”

“Since when is cute, blond, and perky not every guy’s type?” she said.

He gave her a small smile. “I have cute, perky, and blond. Well, mostly blond.”

A warm feeling spread through her chest. Stepping into his booth to stand in front of him, she said, “About before . . . I’m sorry. I wanted to kiss you, it’s just we said casual, and I’ve never done this before, so . . .”

He pulled her into his body and cupped her face, kissing her hard. When he finally let her up for air, it was to whisper, “I’ve been waiting to do that since last night.”

Katie realized that little things Chase did or said were starting to make her forget. Forget about her rules and that they weren’t supposed to be serious. If she didn’t stop melting every time he said something sweet, she was going to forget that he wasn’t the type of guy you lost your heart to.

Needing to get off the dangerous track her thoughts were taking, she said, “Well, I’m glad you did, because I’m going to be thinking of that while I’m being kissed by every toad in town. Blech.”

He lost his smile. “You signed up for the kissing booth?”

She blinked at the deep growl in his voice and said, “I’m the current Canyon Queen, I have to take a turn. It’s only a half hour.”

His scowl didn’t lift, and she kissed him on his frowny mouth. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

Running his hands over her bare back, he said, “No, I’m just going to have to sterilize your mouth before I kiss you again.”

“Well, if I’m that distasteful . . .” she said, playfully trying to pull away.

He leaned down to kiss her, but she turned her head away and all he caught was her cheek. Next he grazed the little spot below her ear, leaving invisible heat marks long after his mouth was gone. “I was only kidding, Firecracker. I’d kiss you if you ate dog shit and barfed fish guts.”

Her mouth twitched as she tried not to laugh, coughing instead. “You would not, and that is disgusting.”

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