Page 27 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

Mike’s smile was almost shy as he said, “A girl I was interested in liked guys with long hair.”

“And did it work?” Ellie sucked up a noodle from her chow mein, making Mike laugh.

“For a little while it did. She eventually dumped me for the lead guitarist of a local band, but we were going to different colleges anyway, so it would have ended sooner or later.”

“I’ve never liked long hair on a guy. I prefer short or shaved,” Ellie said.

She saw Mike’s hand go up to touch his messy gelled hair, and her heart skipped. Was it an involuntary motion or was he interested in her opinion?

“Maybe that’s my problem,” Mike said. “My hair style is so last season.”

Ellie choked on a piece of orange chicken, wheezing with laughter. “Where did you hear that?”

“It’s something Gracie always says.”

Ellie couldn’t help but wonder if Mike had feelings for Gracie and that was part of his problem with women. “Have you two ever dated?”

“No, it’s not like that with us. I love her like a sister, and not like my redneck sister.”

Why was she so relieved that he wasn’t carrying a torch for his married best friend? This was just a business deal.

Speaking of getting back to business, Ellie grabbed the pickup artist notebook out of the bag and tossed it to him. “I took what your friend Drew gave you and tweaked it so it was tailored to your…strengths.”

“You trying to say I’m weak in some areas?” He flipped the booklet open, his eyes running over the first page as he chewed his food. She liked that he wasn’t the type of guy whose mouth flopped open when he ate.

“I’m probably not the best judge of your good qualities considering how the past year has been between us.”

His lips pressed together for a second, as if he was fighting not to respond.

“You haven’t exactly been the lilting victim, you know,” Mike said finally.

“Fine, I’m really letting it go. If you’ll look over the rules I’ve tweaked, you’ll see that step one is to change how people perceive you. They see you in your reliable SUV, with your ironed and pressed clothes, and your perfectly styled hair and they think you’re a type A, straitlaced good guy. If you’re too reliable and predictable, people are never going to take notice of you, especially not women.” Really getting into the subject, Ellie stood up and paced. “We like our men to take charge without totally disregarding our feelings and always leave us guessing. If we feel like we have you all figured out, we’re going to get bored.”

“So, you think you have me all figured out, huh?” Mike sat back in his chair, and his expression was sly.

“I know you have probably always been good at computers, but it didn’t make you popular, so you pursued it quietly. You tried out for more socially acceptable things, like football, but never quite made the cut. You started working out and gaining muscle to become more appealing to women, but that isn’t your problem. You’re an attractive guy, so I’m guessing it’s a personality defect that is scaring women off.”

“I am not defective,” Mike said.

“Maybe not to you, but to women you could be. We really don’t like the guy we can bring home to dad. We like the guy we might bring home.”

“I thought women didn’t want a guy they could introduce to their parents?”

“The only reason we date a totally unacceptable man is if we’re trying to piss off our parents, or we are blind to their faults,” Ellie said, grinning. “Even bad boys have redeemable qualities, and if they don’t, well, they aren’t the guy you spend forever with.”

“Personally, I don’t see myself with any man,” Mike said, returning her smile.

“You know what I mean. We want to make you the type of guy who is delicious enough to make women fall over themselves, but still someone who would be a good long-term partner. Loosen you up a bit. I know you said no to the motorcycle—”

“I have a motorcycle,” Mike said.

Ellie almost fell off the couch. “You do? Since when?”

“Since this morning.” His tone was defensive, but Ellie thought she detected a little guilt there, too.

“Where is it? Show me!” She jumped up and practically hopped in place. The puppy lifted his head from where he was sleeping a few feet away and barked.

She loved moto

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