Page 25 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

He sneered at her. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”

Oh hell no. Screw the coffee/ I’m going to break his nose with my fist.

“Listen, pal, I get that you’re pissed, but you don’t have to get nasty. I was trying to be nice and let you down easy, but if you want me to get honest, I’m leaving because you are still a self-absorbed douche bag and I wouldn’t do you if it would stop the apocalypse.”

His face turned bright red. “Oh, honesty? Well, since we’re being so honest, when we dated I overlooked your horrid taste in movies, your obnoxious tendency to sing like a braying donkey and your smart ass mouth because you were a fantastic lay—”

“I think it’s about time you shove off, asshole,” a growling voice said.

Gracie glanced up and was surprised she hadn’t noticed Eric come in. Right now, he stood next to Trent’s side, his large arms crossed over his red flannel chest.

Damn, she’d never been so glad to see Eric in her life.

Trent’s color drained from his face, and the muscle in his jaw tightened. “Fine.”

Trent got up from the table, and when he didn’t pay for his pie or his coffee, Gracie just laughed. Paying five bucks was better than spending the night in Rock Canyon lock up for kicking the shit out of Trent.

Finally, meeting Eric’s gaze again, she smiled. “I appreciate the backup. You probably saved his pretty face. And I have no idea what he’s talking about…” She took a bite of her pie, and grinned. “I sound like a freaking angel.”

His mouth twitched as though he was suppressing a laugh. “I think you’re exaggerating a bit, Gracie Lou.”

“If you agree with him, then why did you defend me?” she asked.

“Oh, I wasn’t defending your singing voice. I was objecting to his tone. Only I’m allowed to yell at you.”

Gracie crossed her arms over her chest. “Actually, you aren’t.”

He actually chucked her under the chin as if she were a child. “Sure I am, baby. You know you like it when we fight.” He leaned over, his beard tickling her ear. “It’s really good foreplay.”

Chapter Nine

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer is something I hear a lot…but if you truly can’t stand someone, then why the hell would you want them in your life?” - Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

Saturday night was the official tree lighting ceremony for Rock Canyon. Everyone gathered in the park at the center of town, where all the trees were strung with lights. It was gorgeous once it was lit, especially with the sprinkling of snow on the branches.

Gracie pushed Pip in the stroller she’d snagged along with the baby monitor. When Gracie had told Jocelyn her name, she asked if she preferred Josie, and she’d shaken her head. After about a minute of head shaking at all the variations Gracie suggested, the little girl finally opened her mouth and whispered, “Pip.”

Gracie had cried, squeezed her tight, and knew she was done for; she already loved the pint-sized little squirt.

“Hey, Gracie!” Mike Stevens, one of her best friends, came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her neck. “Happy Tree Lighting.”

Mike had been her friend since Gemma and she were sophomores in high school. Back then he’d been a goofy guy with long hair. Now, he was hard-bodied, handsome, and a bit of a disaster romantically. It was a pretty common joke among the citizens and Miss-Know-It-All that Mike couldn’t keep a woman.

The two of them had that in common.

“Tree Lighting is not actually a holiday, Mike.”

“Yeah, yeah. How’s the little bit doing?”

Gracie slowed down so he could look down at the toddler, who was busy enjoying blueberries in her little snack cup. Her face and hands were stained purple, and when she caught Mike looking at her, she shrunk away.

“She’s still adjusting.”

Mike backed off. “They still haven’t heard back from her grandma yet?”

Gracie didn’t really want to talk about it. Her heart ached every time she thought about having to give Pip up. “No, they did. She wants her. They’re just doing a home inspection.”

“Well, that’s good, right? At least she has family who wants her.”

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