Page 67 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

“Who’s Brad Gilbert?”

“The boyfriend I made up in eighth grade when no one asked me to dance at the graduation dance.”

“Why didn’t they ask you to dance?”

Her cheeks turned pink. “I sat on a candy bar during the ceremony in my white dress. When Gemma tried to help me get it off, it looked like I shit my pants. All the boys were making fun of me about it, and I ended up going home early. I told everyone that summer that I had a boyfriend in Canada named Brad Gilbert, and he would kick all their asses if they so much as looked in my direction.”

“Did it work?”

Gracie shrugged. “They left me alone, until we started freshman year and my boobs finally came in.”

“Well, I’m glad that I’m doing better than imaginary Brad.” He kissed the side of her neck and whispered in her ear, “And that your boobs grew.”

“For the most part. They still aren’t much to speak of.”

“I like ’em. I’m more of an ass man anyway.”

“Gee, thanks.” She unplugged the waffle maker with a jerk, and he could tell by her stiff posture he’d said the wrong thing.

He dropped the butter knife and snaked his arm around her waist. “Hey, now, what’s up?”

“Nothing. You basically just said you didn’t care that I wasn’t stacked ’cause I had a big ass.”

Eric’s jaw fell so far, it almost broke. “Holy shit, do women just hear what they want? I never said that! I implied you have a nice ass, and I even said I liked your tits, so what—”

Gracie started making a gagging sound. “Do not call them tits! I hate that word.”

“Fine, breasts. I was trying to make you feel better! That was the only goal.”

Her green eyes were watching him so intently, it made him squirm. Then she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck with a sigh. “Sorry. I don’t exactly have a stellar résumé when it comes to relationships. I tend to sabotage them before they even get started. Even the fake ones, apparently.”

Eric had never been really serious about anyone, except Megan Barlow, who he’d dated off and on for years after they graduated high school. She had moved to Montana after college, having no interest in settling down in Rock Canyon. No one had caught his eye seriously since.

Until Gracie.

“What time are they expecting us?”

“My parents? Sometime this afternoon, why?”

“’Cause I have plans for you.”

He didn’t even let her react but reached out and dumped her over his shoulder, carrying her back to the bedroom.

“But I didn’t get to finish my breakfast.”

He slapped her butt lightly. “Don’t worry, it will still be there when we’re done.”

That was the last protest she made as he shut the bedroom door.

* * *

Gracie was surprised when, after some incredibly satisfying sex and some reheated waffles, Eric drove them into Twin Falls, toward the industrial area. The day was clear and sunny, if blisteringly cold. She was glad she’d thought to pack a bag of clothes when she’d gone by her place earlier, including warm gloves and a sweater.

“What are we doing?” she asked.

“I just wanted to check something out.”

He turned onto Victory Lane, and when he slowed down in front of People for Pets Humane Society, she reached out to take his hand.

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