Page 22 of The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad

“Okay, I think I’m following,” Kyle said then turned to his brother. “Colt, she wants you to help Sadie with this?”

“Yeah,” Colton said, cocking that dang eyebrow again. “She said I looked like trouble, the good kind, and that Sadie could use some of that.”

I had to admit. That did sound like Betty.

“And you actually agreed to help?” Kyle said, sounding shocked.

“Hey, it was the old lady’s dying wish.” Colton frowned. “What was I supposed to do? Tell her no? I’m not that big of a dirtbag.”

Okay, it was time to put an end to this ridiculous discussion.

“Colton,” I said, “Betty was just joking about the death wish thing. She’s in perfect health…in fact, she’ll probably outlive us all, so you’re off the hook. Despite what she told you, I won’t be needing your services.”

Colton gave me a slow look up and down, then with a shake of his head, he said, “I think you need my services. You’re just too proud to admit it, Sister Sadie.”

“Don’t call me that,” I said.

“What? I think the name fits with your whole uptight persona.”

“Well, I’ve never really cared what you think, Colton. So, we’re in perfect agreement.”

“Oh, you care,” he said.

“No, I don’t,” I said back.

“Then show me your list.”

“What?” I scoffed, Kyle completely forgotten as Colton took a step closer to me.

“Show me your list,” Colton said again, his hand extended. “If you really don’t care what I think, then whip it out.”

“You did not just say ‘whip it out.’ Seriously…ew.”

“Ah, so the good girl has her mind in the gutter. Nice to know.”

Kyle laughed. “If you saw her list, you’d know how much of a dirty mind she has.”

“Shut up, Kyle,” I said, fighting down a blush.

“Come on,” Colton said. “Now, I’m curious. Betty never said what was on this list, but I told her I’d help you complete it, so I will.”

God bless Betty down to her princess pink toenails, I thought. She hadn’t betrayed me after all.

“I don’t see why that’s necessary,” I said.

Colton pointed at my face. “Well, look at that. You do care what I think. Thanks, Sister Sadie, I love being right.”

It was a challenge, plain and simple. The cocked eyebrow, the look in those ocean blue eyes, the tone of derision in his voice. My anger got the better of me, and I couldn’t let him win.

“Fine,” I said, snatching the list from Kyle’s hand. Before I could think about it, I opened the note and thrust it at Colton. “Here, go ahead and read it. I’m sure it’ll give you a good laugh.”

Out of the three of us, I wasn’t sure who was more shocked—but Colton recovered first.

“Well, alright then,” he said with a grin.

As he began reading, the grin slowly fell away, replaced first by a small frown, a narrowing of his eyes followed by a clenching of his jaw. It took him a long time to get to the end. Finally, with a swallow, he re-folded the list and handed it back to me.

“Kyle’s right,” he said, voice gruff, avoiding my eyes. “You do have a naughty streak. Who knew? But I can’t help with this. You should find someone else.”

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