Page 65 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

“I want that for you, too, Gracie, believe me I do…but the men you usually date are…”

Gracie grinned. “Douche nozzles?”

Her mother laughed. “I wouldn’t have worded it that way.”

“It’s okay, I know my track record sucks. But Eric isn’t like that. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’d a good guy.”

She caught her mother’s skeptical expression and insisted, “He is. He came over after Pip went to live with her great-grandmother, and he just helped me, Mom. He comforted me when I needed him.”

Gracie realized that for a man she was only pretending to be involved with, her defense of him was pretty honest and passionate.

Her mother sighed, a small smile tilting the corner of her mouth. “Fine, I’ll give him a chance. I hate his beard, though.”

Gracie laughed. “Oh, I know. I told him he needs to get rid of it, but full disclosure, it is kind of hot. Especially when he—”

“For the sake of our relationship, I will ask you to remember that I am your mother and you will always be a sweet, innocent child in my eyes,” her mother deadpanned.

“Fair enough. So, what was with Dad?”

“He’s just such an ass sometimes,” her mother grumbled.

“That’s helpful.”

“It doesn’t matter. Tell me more about your day.”

Gracie debated telling her mom about the call from Pip’s great-grandmother and finally caved because she was so happy. “Pip’s great-grandmother, who has custody, called me and asked to meet next week. I think she’d going to be okay with me seeing Pip.”

“Is that what you want? Won’t that be hard on you?” her mom asked.

“Actually, it’s harder not seeing her. I can’t explain it, but she was like this light that came into my life. I can’t believe that I found her, only to lose her completely.”

Her mother came around and hugged her tight. “You’re wonderful. Have I told you that?”

Gracie sniffled as she started to cry. “Not lately.”

“Then I’m sorry for that. Do you have pictures of Pip? I’d like to see her.”

Gracie eagerly grabbed her phone and as she settled in next to her mother on the couch, scrolling through pictures. She was glad it was just the two of them, because she flashed back on all the times her mother had been there for her, supporting her, teaching her. Sure, she might be overbearing and makes Gracie nuts, but there was always love there. She was really lucky.

She laid her head on her mom’s shoulder. “I love you, Mommy.”

“What brought that about?”

“I just do.”

“Well, I love you too.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I love seeing people about town with their pets…although, it’s a little disturbing when a guy admits he borrowed the dog to pick up chicks. Does that even work?” - Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

Eric woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of loud music blaring from the direction of his kitchen. Bleary eyed, he stumbled out of bed and down the hallway, stopping in the doorway. Gracie was in one of his T-shirts and a pair of boxers, her little bare feet kicking up a storm as she mixed something in a bowl. She was singing loudly, and he could tell from the back of her hair that she’d only run her fingers through it. He looked at the oven clock and saw it was a little after nine.

Normally when someone woke him before eleven, he’d be ready to throw their asses out the door, but he couldn’t even dredge up an ounce of irritation. She was just too damn adorable to stay mad at.

He moved behind her and slid his hands up under the T-shirt and over her belly. She started a little, then leaned back against him. He tilted his head down so he could see into the bowl. A creamy, off-white batter was spinning around the metal mixers, and he frowned. He didn’t have a hand mixer.

“What are you making?”

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