Page 17 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

“I don’t think anyone would use that headline. That phrase hasn’t been used since the sixties,” Ellie said.

“Well, my dad used it in his birds-and-bees talk to me, so I guess it stuck” Mike said, laughing.

With the short strands of his hair looking mushed, she had the strangest urge to step into him. Run her fingers through it lightly, combing them back into place, their faces pressed closely together. Eyes locked, lips parted—

Holy hell, she was losing her damn mind!

Ellie’s giggle joined his. “That must have been awkward.”

“It was better than my mother’s threats of castration if I got a girl pregnant.”

“Ouch. Your mom sounds like a ball-buster. Literally.” Ellie noticed that when he relaxed and smiled for real, his eyes crinkled up at the corners attractively and she hated herself for enjoying it so much.

“She is,” Mike said. “I actually need to apologize, too. I have been a jerk to you, and it isn’t right. I should have just told you I was flattered and let you down easy.”

She cocked one eyebrow at him. “I’m not sure how I feel about that. You weren’t even tempted to take me up on it?”

Mike’s ears turned bright red. “I wasn’t in the head space to go home with anyone. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time when I was feeling pretty low about women. And I’m very sorry I took it all out on you.”

His apology warmed her toward him. A little. “Yeah, I’m not sure if that’s in your little book, but not calling women dumb should be rule number two at least.”

Mike’s gaze flew to his desk where the notebook sat, and Ellie wanted to bite her tongue off.

“Shit, you read that?” Mike walked over to the desk and shoved it into his pocket. “Do you always go through people’s desks?”

So much for calling a truce. “Would you believe me if I said it fell open and my eyes had a will of their own?”

“I make it a habit not to trust people who say ‘Would you believe me if.’”

“Fair enough,” Ellie said, wondering why she was trying so hard. He was exactly the type of person she avoided. Too nice. Too good. Too perfect. So-called perfect people always covered up something. Human beings were meant to be imperfect messes, and no one was ever good all the time.

But people in Rock Canyon genuinely liked Mike Stevens, even if Ellie wasn’t convinced by his good guy act, and his opinion of her mattered. The people of Rock Canyon still weren’t convinced she wasn’t rotten to the core, despite all of the good she’d been trying to do. Having Mike as a friend, or at least, not an enemy, could completely boost her image.

Ellie realized she’d spaced out when Mike started talking again. “Look, the book is just a gag,” Mike said. “Drew gave to me as a joke and I just haven’t thrown it away yet.”

Okay, that was just lame. “Right.”

He scowled at her.

“Well, I can see I’ve probably overstayed my welcome, so here are my apology cookies.” Ellie pointing to the plate on the desk. “Will you still fix my computer? I miss him.”

“Him?”

“Yeah, I call him Howey, and he’s been with me for three years. He even has a pretty jeweled sleeve.”

Mike shook his head. “Are you sure the computer didn’t die of embarrassment?”

“Haha. Please, will you fix him?”

“Sure.” He sat down, and she bit her lip as her gaze drifted to his pocket where the book was. It was a weak attempt to keep from doing something she might regret—such as dispensing unsolicited advice.

“Ugh, I can’t stand it!” He looked up, obviously startled by her exclamation. “Do not say that cheesy line. Any woman worth her salt is going to see through that and the ones who don’t, you do not want to get involved with. If you’re going to kiss a woman, just do it. Don’t play games.”

Mike sat back in the chair, his expression considering. “You really don’t know how to keep your mouth shut, do you?”

“No, I can’t when you’re going to make a huge mistake. I admit, I think the nice guy routine you put on with the rest of the town is complete and utter bullshit, but I also don’t think you’re a total waste of space. So, if you’ll help me convince them they should give me a chance, I can help you with your little notebook.”

“I didn’t ask for your help.”

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