Page 6 of The Bad Girl List

“Number seven, karaoke.” Annika pokes the side of her cheek with the end of her pen. “Eight. We’re going to break into a hotel and go skinny-dipping in the middle of the night.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you done yet?”

“No. We need ten things. Ooh, I got it. You’re going to say no to the aunties sometime during vacation.”

The idea makes me squirm, too. Not that I’m agreeing to the Bad Girl List, but if I was, number nine would need to be crossed off.

Annika sees my expression and relents. “I don’t care if it’s turning down a Groupon for dinner at Sizzler or telling them you won’t take your shoes off in the house. Pick something easy if you want.”

“Since when does telling the aunties I won’t take my shoes off inside count as easy?”

“You know what I mean. And pretending to be sick doesn’t count. You have to tell them no, like, you have to use the word. And let’s see, number ten. It has to be something good.”

“Eat a pint of ice cream every day and see if I can still fit into my pants at the end of vacation?” I suggest.

“No.”

“Sky dive?”

“That’s better, but not bold enough. Wait! I got it.” She gives me an evil smile. “You’re going to have a vacation fling.”

“How am I supposed to find a guy to have a fling with–”

“Please, it’s not that hard. Maybe we’ll combine that with number one or two, just to make it more fun. Flings are always more fun when you’re drunk or stoned. And by fling, I mean sex. You are going to find a guy and have vacation sex with him at least once. If he’s good, you can do him as many times as you want.”

“I’m not doing any of that stuff on the list.”

Annika frowns in consternation. “Why not, Dom? What have you got to lose? Being perfect hasn’t made you happy. Why not take this as an opportunity to throw caution to the wind and live a little? Things really can’t get worse for you.”

“The stuff on that list is all the stuff you do. They’re not my thing. I mean, seriously, a fling? The only guy I’ve ever been with is Oliver.”

“That practically makes you a virgin. Tell that to your fling. He’ll think it’s hot as hell.”

“Are you done yet?”

“Hmmm.” Annika scans her list. “Yeah, I think so. This will give you a good start to getting your life back on track.”

Clearly, Annika and I have different definitions of what it means to get one’s life back on track. She might think the Bad Girl List is my salvation, but in truth, it’s going to be a spruced-up resume that rights this ship.

“I’m not doing the Bad Girl List, Annika.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Want to know why?”

I huff. “Sure. Tell me why I’m going to agree to your insane list.”

“Because if you do, I’ll let you move in with me for six months, rent free. That will give you time to find a job you actually like without the stress of maxing out your credit card or borrowing against your 401K.”

I open my mouth, about to refuse. By this point, I’m on autopilot with her. How many ways can a person say no before the other person hears them?

But before I can speak, her words register. I blink, studying my cousin, expecting to see sarcasm in her face.

There’s not a trace of it. She looks like she means it.

“Are you serious?” I ask. “If I agree to the Bad Girl List, you’ll let me move in, rent free, for six months?”

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