Page 37 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

Gracie yanked on his beard. “Guess it’s a good thing we’re doing this fake relationship deal, huh? Gives me time to technically be single and find the right guy.”

Suddenly, Gracie found herself flat on her back with Eric’s shadow hovering over her.

“While we’re in this arrangement, there will be no dating other people.”

Her hands came up to land on his chest, pressing against the immovable wall of muscle.

“Yeah, I know. Otherwise people will know we’re faking it.”

“I just want to be sure.” She felt his fingers trail down the length of her cheek. “Besides, if Miss Know-It-All reported that the town’s favorite barista was stepping out on her bartender boyfriend, I’d have to kick the crap out of the guy.”

Gracie’s heart skipped at the growly, possessive tone. “What if I was dating John Cena?”

Eric moved, and she realized he’d flopped onto his back again. “I could take Cena with one arm behind my back.”

Gracie choked out a laugh. “Oh, right! He’d crush you in his bicep.”

“Jesus, woman, shut up and go to sleep. You’re getting on my last nerve.”

Gracie smiled in the dark. It was amazing that one man could bring her comfort, irritation, and laughter all in the span of minutes. He really wasn’t that bad.

Gracie rolled onto her side, and the smell of lavender baby shampoo hit her nostrils. The scent reminded her of Pip’s hair, and tears started falling again.

She had no idea how he’d heard her, but he rolled over and put his arm around her waist, kissing the back of her head.

“I could tell you about the time I hooked up with—”

“God, just shut up and hold me.”

His arm tightened around her. “Anything for you, Gracie Lou.”

* * *

The sound of the front door opening and closing woke Eric, who stared around at the canopy bed and pink frills in confusion.

Where in the hell…

He realized he must have fallen asleep with Gracie right about the time he heard footsteps coming down the hallway.

Mike’s voice carried through Gracie’s

closed door, and Eric climbed off the bed to snag his boots. “Gracie? I’ve got your favorite donuts and am ready to drive you over to Gemma’s for some best friend bonding—”

The door opened, and Eric stood up with his boots in one hand. Mike’s gaze shifted from Eric to Gracie, who had finally woken up and was sitting up in bed.

“—time?” Mike finished.

“Mike! You know Eric, right?” Gracie said lamely.

Mike’s eyebrows shot halfway up his forehead. “Yeah, I know Eric. My question is…what’s going on?”

Gracie glance at Eric, and he waited for her to set their plan into motion. “What does it look like?”

“Like you and Eric hooked up.”

“Well, I mean…”

“We did,” Eric said, simply. “We’re hanging out.”

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