Page 23 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

aren’t good for you or your baby.”

“If you lecture me again about what I can or can’t do, I am going to stab you with this fork.” Caroline waved the fork at Val and Ellie leaned forward, snatching the utensil away.

“Let’s get through one lunch without threatening to stab each other, all right?”

Val and Caroline looked at each other, before focusing on her.

“You are too chipper. Is it a guy?” Val asked.

“Nope, no guy.”

“I thought you were talking to Dale Ranney?” Caroline said.

“Didn’t work out.”

Their waitress came by to take their order, and once they were alone again, Val said, “It isn’t Mike Stevens, is it?”

Ellie’s mouth dropped. “Why would you think that?”

“Well, that thing in Small Town Scandals column—”

“Oh, for the…” then Ellie got an idea. A deliciously provocative idea.

“You’re absolutely right.”

“Huh?” her sister’s said together.

“Mike and I have been hooking up on the DL and damn, but it is fantastic. I mean, his dick is…” Ellie held her hands about a foot apart and almost giggled at the shocked expressions on their faces.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Val asked.

“Why did you start a fight with him, then?” Caroline’s voice held a hint of skepticism, and Ellie cackled silently. If she could convince her oldest sister, she could fool the whole town.

“Because I was jealous. He was talking to this cute blonde and I was worried he was going to stop our FWB arrangement if he got serious with someone. Oh, but that night, we had the best sex we’ve ever experienced. I mean, the things that man can do with his tongue…”

“Whoa, we’re in a restaurant,” Val protested.

“Oh, no, go on. Gabe is treating me like I’m breakable when we do it, and it is driving me nuts,” Caroline said.

Val covered her face with a laugh. “You two are terrible!”

“When did you get so prudish?” Ellie asked.

“Since I grew up and realized broadcasting one’s sex life in public is tacky!”

“Whatever, I’m classy as fuck,” Caroline said.

Ellie burst out laughing and even Val grinned at Caroline’s dry delivery. Ellie knew that at least the four women behind her and the two guys at the counter were listening to their conversation, and she pulled out her phone to shoot a text to Mike.

Just a heads-up, but we’re secretly hooking up. Just go with it if anyone asks.

Ellie put her phone away, giggling as she imagined Mike’s reaction. Focusing on her sisters, again, she said, “So, where were we?”

Chapter Eight

Mike had no idea what possessed him, but he went by Gabe’s custom garage, Rocket Bikes, before work, and bought a sleek black 2011 Ducati Diavel that Gabe had rebuilt. When Mike had sat on top of the bike, a sharp thrill raced through him.

He’d actually been surprised by how easy it was to ride it, and parked it right in front of the shop. He’d taken Gracie’s advice and worn a pair of jeans with a plain gray tee. His hair was messy, the way Ellie had said she liked it.

---