Page 59 of Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon, Idaho 1)

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.”

“You won’t bad-mouth Chase anymore?” Katie crossed her arms over her chest.

Steph held up her hand. “Scout’s honor.”

Katie stepped back and said, “Too bad you were never a Girl Scout.”

“Mom said it was too time-consuming.” Steph came into the house.

“Wanna watch The Vampire Diaries?” Katie asked, shutting the door.

“Sure, which episode?” Steph asked.

“Does it matter? I have two words for you. Klaus and Damon.” Katie said, smiling.

“I’ll make some popcorn.”

“I’ll grab the sodas.”

CHASE LEFT THE parlor and locked the front door. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he checked for a message from Katie. Nothing.

Making his way down to where his chopper was parked, he climbed on and realized the last thing he wanted was to go home. After spending the last couple of nights with her, being alone in his big old house just didn’t sound fun. Maybe he’d head over to Buck’s and play a little pool.

Weak, Trepasso. You’re just hoping she calls.

He started up the chopper and rode down to the outskirts of town. Parking in front of Buck’s, he climbed off and strode to the front door. He walked in and sat down at the bar, nodding at Eric, who handed him his usual draft. “What are you doing here? Thought you’d be out with Katie.”

Chase shook his head and took a drink of his beer. “Nope, just stopping by on my way home.?

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