Page 17 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

Caroline knew exactly what she was dealing with. He thought he was charming and was used to having women fawn all over him and probably doing anything and everything he wanted. But she wasn’t one of them, and he was going to learn pretty damn quick that she played the game better than most women.

At least, that’s what the second stall in the Rock Canyon High School boy’s bathroom had said years ago.

Looking around the empty apartment, she doubted Gabe the Babe Slayer had brought any decent furniture with him. Guys like him thought lawn chairs and a TV made a living space.

It was still early, not quite noon, so she decided to make the forty-five-minute trip up to Twin Falls. A few hours later, although it had taken a good chunk out of her savings, she left with a promise of next-day delivery on everything, including her brand-new bed.

When Caroline pulled into the alleyway, she saw that Gabe’s bike was parked in the spot again.

You’re going to have to explain to him that the spot is yours, and he can park that stupid tricycle somewhere else.

She swung back onto Main Street and parked in front of Gemma’s shop. Caroline got out of her car and walked past the front window of Chloe’s Book Nook, catching the friendly wave from Gemma. Caroline waved back. Although she was still perturbed at the pretty bookstore owner, she didn’t want the drama to continue. She had enough of that from outside sources.

As she headed back down the alley, she s

aw the back of her sister’s dark head sitting on the third step of the staircase leading to her new place.

That morning, Caroline had knocked on Val’s bathroom door to let her know that she’d decided to take the apartment, not bothering to mention that Gabe would be sharing it. Luckily, she’d caught Val midshampoo, so they hadn’t had a chance to have a long conversation. Her sister had already protested her moving out.

“Just give me a day or so, and I’ll send Ellie packing back to Dad’s. You don’t have to go.”

Caroline hadn’t had the heart to tell her it wasn’t just that she needed space from Ellie, Gus, or the dreaded lumpy couch.

As she stopped at the bottom of the staircase, she saw that Val had her missing cell phone in her hands. “I see you finally got my phone back from that demon you call a dog.”

“Hello to you too,” Val said, brushing her short bangs off her forehead. Although Caroline wasn’t a fan of short hair, she had to admit the new cut looked good with her sister’s delicate features and big brown eyes—their mother’s eyes. Caroline had been blessed with the same eyes, but with her rounder face, they didn’t stand out as much.

She held out her hand for the phone and noticed the bite marks in the rubber case. Luckily, the canine’s massive jaws hadn’t cracked the screen. “Sorry, but that dog is evil.”

“No, he just likes you. A lot,” Val said, grinning. “So, are you going to show me your new place or what?”

“Sure, but there’s not much in there. I’ve got furniture scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.” Caroline climbed past her sister as she stood up.

“That’s fine. I thought I’d drop the phone off when I found it, but if you don’t want me to see your place . . .”

“Oh, will you knock it off?” Caroline said as she put the key in the door. “I was just sharing pertinent information. Stop acting like a brat.”

“I’m not a brat,” Val snapped behind her, and Caroline’s insides warmed with happiness. It hadn’t taken them long to fall back into their old roles, and it made Caroline glad that Val didn’t really hold a grudge against her for leaving. One less person hating her guts was a plus in Caroline’s life.

Unlocking the door and stepping inside, she held her arm out. “Mi casa es su casa.”

Val stepped past her and looked around the empty rooms. “I can’t believe you don’t have any furniture.”

Caroline shrugged as she shut the door. “It made it easier to drop everything at a moment’s notice and move on.”

“Hmmm . . . so, who was that guy this morning?”

Well, that took a lot longer than expected. If Caroline had walked into the kitchen in her skivvies and encountered a strange man, she would have asked then and there instead of running away to put clothes on.

“My new roommate. Remember how I showed up to get my keys and found out that some wires got crossed? Travis rented it to Gabe, the guy from this morning—”

“Wait, the douche with the crotch rocket is the same gorgeous man who was leaning against my sink, looking like sex on a fucking stick?”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Yes, but—”

“Is that who’s in your shower?” Val asked.

Caroline had been so tuned in to her sister’s reaction that she hadn’t even heard the shower running. “Must be.”

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