Page 69 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

“I can check for you. Would you like to fill out one?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m afraid that the Whiskers in Wonderland pricing will no longer be available on Monday,” she said, as if that might change his mind.

“That’s fine, I’d like to pay his adoption fee today, and if his owners do claim him, you can put it toward another animal.”

The woman got a dreamy look on her face as she smiled at Eric. “That is so sweet. Just follow me.”

A flash of jealousy shot through Gracie as the woman continued to chat with Eric the whole way up to the front counter, and Gracie found herself moving a little closer to him. While Eric filled out his paperwork and paid for the dog’s adoption, Gracie watched the women in the room. Several of them were discreetly checking Eric out, and she really couldn’t blame them. He was tall, built, handsome, and obviously loved animals. They didn’t even know he was successful in business and nice…

Gracie’s stomach twisted up in knots. Was she havingfeelingsfor Eric? Like…deep, loving types of feelings?

Her palms grew damp with sweat, and she danced on the balls of her feet as she waited for him. She tried to calm the panic in her chest by being reasonable.

Of course she was having feelings for Eric. He’d been there for her during a difficult time. What she was experiencing was gratitude and friendship. It was natural to care about a wonderful man who supported you and who was helping you.

But as Eric took her hand in his, her skin tingled where their palms met, and her belly did a little flip-flop.

“Thanks for going with me today, Gracie Lou,” he said as he held the door for her.

She looked up into his eyes, at the warmth that had nothing to do with lust, and swallowed hard.

“Anytime, Eric. It’s what fake girlfriends are for, right?”

He didn’t smile at her joke. Not even a twitch.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“In my experience, good things happen just before stuff really hits the fan.” - Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

On Tuesday morning, Gracie sat at the second table near the entrance of Starbucks, anxiously watching the door. She cupped her tall peppermint mocha in her hands, hoping the warmth would soak into her chilled skin. She knew it was nerves more than the air that was turning her skin to ice. She was tired and anxious and already knew she looked like hell. That was what happened when you panicked over nothing.

Gracie had stayed at her place Saturday night and hadn’t been back to Eric’s since. He’d seemed a little puzzled by her sudden desire to suffer the stiff lumps of her living room couch, but when she’d mentioned she had to be up at four thirty every morning while Tanya was on vacation this week and that she wanted to spend a little more time with her parents, he’d just accepted it. No questions, no asking if everything was all right. He’d just kissed her on the forehead after the tree had been trimmed and told her he’d talk to her the next day.

And he had texted her, had invited her over on Monday night for family dinner again, but she’d declined. He’d come in a couple of times for coffee, and they’d texted and talked on the phone, but she kept making excuses for why she was so busy. She was being an insane coward, she knew that, but it was almost as if she was possessed by the need to run from him and her feelings.

A woman who appeared in her late sixties came up the sidewalk, her dark hair striped with silver and her tan skin wrinkled. She stepped through the glass door, and her gaze immediately landed on Gracie.

Gracie stood as the woman approached her. “Margaret?”

The woman held out her hand to Gracie. “Yes, and you must be Miss McAllister.”

“Gracie, please. Can I get you a coffee?”

“No, that’s all right, honey. I already had some.” Margaret took off her coat and draped it over the back of the chair. “I just thought this would be a quiet place for us to talk.”

“Yes, of course.” Gracie sat down across from her, anxious for any news about Pip. “How is Jocelyn?”

“Oh, she’s doing all right. Quiet, like I said.” Margaret hesitated, then cleared her throat. “I think she misses you.”

Gracie wasn’t sure how to respond at first, so she just went for honestly. “I miss her too.”

“I don’t want you to think me heartless, not bringing her with me today, but I wanted to meet you myself and get a feel for you as a person.”

“Believe me, I understand. She’s your family.”

Margaret grimaced at the word, and Gracie wondered what she’d said wrong.

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