Page 36 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

He walked into the living room and caught her at the door.

“So, what do you think?”

Ellie’s eyes traveled down and back up his frame, and the heat in those hazel depths gave him pause. “I think she’s going to turn to goo the minute she sees you.”

Her compliment hit him hard, but before he could say anything more she was out the door, shutting it with a click.

Ellie watched Jenny take another shot of tequila, and wondered why she’d agreed to go out to celebrate. They had headed to Buck’s even though Ellie knew Mike was bringing his date there. She should usher Jenny out the door, but her friend deserved to celebrate.

Tonight, it was hard not to kick back some Jose and forget about her weird, fluttery feelings for Mike Stevens.

The fact that she hadn’t seen him yet made her wonder if he’d taken Wendy somewhere classier than Buck’s. Wendy. Ellie was sure she was probably picture-perfect, just like a Disney heroine.

Ellie danced in place, pretending as though she was having a great time, but between Mike’s hard hand on her ass and the scorching fire that had raced across her skin from mere proximity, she wanted a drink and a distraction. To cut loose and not think about him.

Only, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him and his sexy, bad-boy biker makeover.

God, what the hell had she done?

“Graham, one more!” Jenny shouted to the bartender. “And bring one for Ellie, too! She needs it.”

Ellie didn’t even bother arguing and when Graham set the shots in front of them, she clinked her glass with Jenny’s and tipped it back. The hot liquid burned down her throat and warmed her stomach pleasantly.

She waved her hand for another round.

Ellie’s phone started ringing in her back pocket and she pulled it out. Glancing down at the screen, she saw Mike’s name and butterflies scattered in her stomach, hitting the walls.

“Who is it?” Jenny asked, peeking over her arm. “Is it Mike? How did his date go? Are you gonna tell him you lurve him?”

“You, meddlesome wench, mind your bidness.” Ellie knew Jennywas just being silly, that she really didn’t think anything was going on between Ellie and Mike, but the words struck a chord inside. Not that she thought she loved him or anything, but she couldn’t deny the thought of him out with another woman bothered her and it was unreasonable and nuts. Mike was just…not right for her.

Still, she did want to know how the date went and if she had been right, so she flicked her thumb across the screen. “What’s up, buttercup? I thought you were going to Buck’s.”

“How did you know I didn’t?”

“Cause I’m here and you’re not.”

“We went to Hank’s Bar, but you were right about Wendy being a bit aggressive.”

“Did she try to get you back to her place with promises of candy and puppies?”

“You are twisted. Wait, are you drunk?”

“No,” Ellie said. “I’ve had one shot, but Jenny’s drunk.”

Jenny put her mouth near the phone and yelled, “Mike! Can you come get us?”

“No, you don’t need to,” Ellie said.

“I don’t mind. I’ll be there in ten.”

The call ended, and Ellie slipped it into her pocket, her brow furrowing as she thought. “He’s a good guy, huh? He doesn’t just fake it so people will like him?”

“Nope, he is the genuine article.” Jenny caught sight of something, and said loudly, “Unlike some other jerk-offs I know.”

Ellie followed her gaze to find Tanner White standing at the end of the bar talking to a pretty brunette who seemed upset. Tanner and Jenny had dated for about six months before he’d abruptly dumped her last month. Ellie had tried to get her to tell what happened, but Jenny had been mum.

“I wish you’d tell me what he did.”

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