Page 46 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell

The whole thing still sat in her craw, but she’d never told anyone about it.

“What’s the story?” he asked.

“Huh?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “You okay?”

Damn it, why the hell couldn’t she concentrate tonight? “Yeah, yeah. Our story. I think it should be as close to the truth as possible. I was sad, you texted to check on me, and showed up with brownies to cheer me up.”

“And the alcohol to get you drunk,” he teased.

She ignored the addition, and pressed on. “One thing led to another, and we hooked up. We realized we had feelings for each other and decided to date and see where it went.”

“Sounds good. I also booked your ticket to New York.”

“I could have paid for myself.”

“I figured I invited you, and since you’re doing me a solid, I’d buy your ticket.”

Again, with him doing something that was almost sweet. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

Eric grabbed the last plate from her and put it in the dishwasher. “Any other business we need to discuss?”

His close proximity was a little heady, and she tried to catch her breath. “Just dinner with my parents this weekend, if you can sneak away from the bar.”

“Sure.” An evil grin spread across his face as he said, “Now, prepare to get wet.”

Gracie realized a second too late what he meant just as he lunged for the hose. She screamed and tried to run, but he grabbed her close, held it over her head and sprayed. He was probably getting just as wet as she was, and the tepid water was chilly as it soaked her cotton shirt.

She was laughing and screaming at the same time. “Stop, stop! I give! I give!”

He released the hose, and she wiped at her eyes, catching his smirk. “Just remember that you might start shit, but I’m the one who likes to finish it.”

“I’ll get you when you least expect it, Henderson. Just you wait.”

He threw back his head, laughing at her threat, and she saw a tiny droplet of water slide down his neck. It was all she could do not to stretch up and run her tongue along his skin.

That’s it. She needed to do something about this pent up, sexual frustration, or she was going to lose control…with Eric Henderson.

That does it. Tonight, I have a date with my vibrator.

Chapter Sixteen

“A bet is a bet…there is always a winner, so be careful what you wager.” - Miss Know-It-All’s Gossip Column.

It was Thursday, and Gracie stood in waiting area of the Boise Airport, watching for her parents through the glass window. She was trying hard to keep calm, but she warred between excitement and anxiety. Despite her internal and external bitching about her parents coming to visit, she loved and missed them. It was strange to go from seeing them anytime she wanted to having to make a scheduled trip and a plane ride.

She saw her dad first, pulling a wheelie suitcase and carrying a small duffel bag. He was barely five eight, but compared to her and her mom, that was tall. He had a mustard-colored jacket thrown over one arm, and perched on his balding head was a camo hat. Gracie noted his goatee was peppered with more gray than it had been over the summer.

Her mom came into view, wearing jeans and a bright green sweater. Her blonde hair had faded or maybe she’d lightened it. Seeing her though was like a magnetic pull, and Gracie started walking quickly. No matter how many times they fought or annoyed each other, she loved her mom.

“Mom! Dad!” She wrapped her arms around her mom first, noting that she seemed a little shorter, and kissed her cheek. “I missed you.”

Her mom hugged her hard. “Oh, my baby. Let me see you.”

She pulled away and cupped Gracie’s cheeks, turning her face from side to side as if she was five.

“Still the prettiest girl in the world.”

---