Things Good Girls Don't Do (21 page)

Chase left Katie’s house slamming the door and texted her,
Your cat pissed on my jeans.

Stuffing his phone into his pocket, he swung into his seat to drive home and shower. Would it ruin the jeans to bleach them?

He’d risk the bleach, and remember to pick them up off the floor next time.

Smiling in spite of his wet, pungent leg, he tried not to dwell on the fact that he was already looking forward to seeing Katie again.

K
ATIE WAS STILL
laughing as she left work that night. She felt bad that Slinks had peed on Chase’s jeans and she had texted him to say so. The cat was possessive and a little psycho, but he was her baby and didn’t like to share her. Chase had texted her back that they may have to limit their overnights at her house unless he bought another couple pairs of jeans. Katie had almost told him he was lucky all Slinks had done was pee, but she’d refrained. Chase would probably veto all overnights at her place if he knew Jimmy had gotten a number two in his work boots once.

The Rock Canyon Independence Day Extravaganza planning committee had arranged to meet today to reschedule the fireworks, and although she wasn’t looking forward to being in the same room as Mrs. Andrews, she’d made a commitment and she was going to honor it.

She parked her car and started walking toward the building.

“Katie, may I speak to you for a minute?”

Turning around, she tried to keep her voice mild as she faced Mrs. Andrews. “Sure, I was just heading inside to go over the rescheduling of the fireworks.”

“In light of what transpired between us at the pageant, I think it would be best if we not work together,” Mrs. Andrews blurted.

Katie was taken aback. She’d actually been expecting an apology from her, not a resignation. “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Andrews. I know we both said some things we didn’t mean, and I apologize for my inappropriateness, but you don’t have to quit the committee.”

“You misunderstand me,
dear
. I am here to tell you that it’s
you
who is no longer welcome on this committee,” she said.

How dare you try to undermine me?
Katie thought as she tried to control the lump in her throat. Every time she got angry or upset, she felt like she had swallowed a jawbreaker. “You can’t kick me off the committee; I’m in charge.”

“I’ve spoken to the council and informed them you had some issues that you needed to work out before you could take on any more town projects. They were very understanding,” she said.

Katie said, “Was there something wrong with the way I organized the parade and the fair?”

Mrs. Andrews glared. “There were no major problems, no.”

“So this is personal. This is because you don’t like who I’m dating or the way I’m behaving?” Katie wanted to scream at the older woman, but she was managing to keep her voice just above a harsh whisper.

“You are not behaving like yourself. You’re usually so responsible and easy to work with, but the way you’ve been since . . .”

Katie interrupted. “Just because I don’t automatically agree with everything you say doesn’t mean that I can’t do my job. It just means I’m finally tired of people treating me like someone who should be seen and not heard. So with all due respect, Mrs. Andrews, you need to leave the committee until you can apologize for your lack of professionalism.”

Mrs. Andrews’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t . . .”

“Oh, you bet I can. You have done nothing but try to make me feel incompetent and small since this whole project started. I was trying to be nice before, but the way you spoke to me at the pageant was inappropriate and unacceptable. So you need to go home and think about the way you have been treating everyone in town who doesn’t follow your rigid view of what’s right. Once you’re willing to apologize, you may come back.”

Katie didn’t wait to listen to any more spluttering the older woman had in her. She felt good. She had said what she needed to and hadn’t been rude, only firm.

She walked into the community center with a weight off her shoulders and announced loudly, “Good afternoon, everyone! Mrs. Andrews will not be joining us for a few days, and if anyone else has a problem with the way I manage this committee or my personal life, they are welcome to leave now too.”

Several older women and one man stood up and left, but instead of feeling bad about it, she just said, “Anyone else? All right then, let’s get to planning.”

Chapter Eleven

K
ATIE CLIMBED INTO
her car after the meeting and drove past the Jagged Rock to see if Chase was busy at work. Looking in the window, she saw several guys inside with him. Not wanting to interrupt, she pulled into The Local Bean parking lot to turn around. The last thing she wanted was for someone to notice her car driving up and down the road like some weird stalker.

As she pulled back out onto the street, she saw Becca leaving her shop and almost ducked down. Becca was too sharp not to know she had been making a pass to see Chase.

But she had already seen Katie and was waving. Rolling down her window and stopping along the sidewalk, she said casually, “Hey, so is my advertising helping?”

“Well, considering that I’ve made more in the last four days than I have in the last month, I’d say so,” Becca said.

Katie pulled over and parked her 4Runner as Becca came to her window. “That is so great! I am glad it’s working.”

“You on your way over to see Chase?” she asked, leaning in.

No, I already checked and he’s busy.
“No, I was just on my way to Twin Falls when I remembered I forgot my Costco card,” Katie said, pretty sure that was a logical enough explanation for driving up and down the street.

“Oh, I see,” Becca said, giving her an assessing look. “Be careful with him.”

Katie tensed, waiting for Becca to start giving her a warning about how he was going to hurt her, but she didn’t. “He’s not as cool as he thinks he is. He likes you. I can tell.”

Katie’s heart twisted and fluttered. “That wasn’t what I expected. I thought you were going to tell me he’s no good.”

Becca smiled. “Like Steph?” Katie gave her a surprised look, and Becca added, “It’s amazing the things women will tell you when they’re shopping for lingerie. It’s like all the boundaries are gone and they start spilling their issues.”

Katie laughed. “Yeah, same goes when you’re doing hair. You become a therapist.”

“Oh yeah. Anyway, she told me that she acted like an ass.”

Katie gripped the steering wheel. “Putting it mildly, but yeah.”

Becca shrugged. “Just my two cents, but you guys have been friends since diapers, right?” Katie nodded and Becca said, “Give her a chance to grovel. Best friends should get a free pass every five years.”

Katie thought about the times when Steph had said something to piss her off and she’d just let it go. Just smiled and moved on. Steph had been given plenty of free passes, but she had also been there for her through every major letdown. She might have overstepped in a major way, but they had been friends for a long time. Was she ready to just give up on that?

No, she wasn’t, not yet. “All right, if she shows up groveling, I’ll hear her out.”

“Then my job is done. You going to the fireworks next weekend?”

“Yep. Figured since I helped plan them, I might as well enjoy them.”

Becca grinned. “I’d like to tag along with you, if that’s okay.”

Katie laughed. “Deal.”

K
ATIE WAS LYING
on her bed watching a DVR recording of
The Vampire Diaries
she’d already seen twice, when her phone beeped. She picked it up and there was a text from Chase:
Hey Firecracker, what are you wearing?

Laughing, she looked down at her sweatpants and tank top and texted:
Nothing. ;-)

Slinks jumped up on the bed, and his loud, rumbling purr came with him. He crawled up to her side and flopped down, rolling over to expose his fat belly for rubs.

She couldn’t resist him and cooed, “You are such a bad boy, but you’re Mommy’s bad boy, aren’t you? Yes you are.”

Her phone beeped again, and she said, “Look, it’s your favorite person.”

The big cat just kept rubbing against her as she checked the message.
Such a tease. Why do you have to mess with me?

Fingers flying over the keys, she wrote back:
In bed with another guy too. He’s super sexy and likes when I stroke his belly.

Beep.
You better be talking about that damn cat.

She laughed.
Maybe. Would it bother you if I wasn’t?

Slinks crawled up on her chest and she tried to read the next text around his head.
Yeah it would.

She was smiling so hard it hurt.
I’m wearing sweatpants and tank top and yeah, Slinks is lying on my chest. How’re the tats going?

Giving Slinks a hug, she cooed in her best baby voice, “So cuddly tonight. Were you jealous of the hot guy last night? Is that why you peed on his pants?”

A knock sounded at the door and Slinks bolted off the bed, nicking her with his back claws.

“Ow, crap,” she said, rubbing her chest as she got up and walked down the hallway scowling. “I swear, you are the most high-strung cat I have ever had.”

She peeked out the peephole and saw Steph. Taking a breath, she pulled the door open. “Hey.”

Steph gave her a tentative smile. “Hey.”

Katie wasn’t feeling particularly gracious. “So what do you want?”

“Wow, that was direct,” Steph joked, and when Katie didn’t even crack a smile, she continued. “I’m so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it, I was just so frustrated because you were just starting to get better after Jimmy left and I was just worried that you were going to end up in a funk again if Chase hurt you.” She paused and added, “Plus I was a little jealous.”

“Jealous? Of me?” Katie said, flabbergasted.

“Of course you. You have always been this sweet, tiny thing who everyone always raved about. My own mother used to ask why I couldn’t be more like you. And it was okay, ’cause you were my better half, and we had the same plan of getting married and having a family. But this whole thing with Chase made me realize that you were free to do anything you wanted while I was stuck here. And I was a little jealous of that freedom,” Steph said.

“Steph . . .” Katie’s coolness melted a bit at her best friend’s confession.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Jared and there is no better guy in the world for me. No one else would put up with my drama or my mess, but every once in a while I wonder how my life might have been different,” Steph said. “And I just felt like you might decide that the plan wasn’t what you wanted anymore and move on, leave me behind.”

“Steph, I have been jealous of you for years. You are living the dream, my friend. You met your soul mate. That hardly ever happens anymore.” Katie understood where Steph was coming from, but she needed to realize that Katie could handle herself. And her love life. “And part of the reason I am finally coming out of that funk is because of Chase. He makes me happy. I don’t know what’s going to happen with us in the future, but right now I am the happiest I have ever been. Even happier than I was with Jimmy.”

Steph snorted. “Of course, anyone’s a step up from Jimmy.” She shook her head. “I do want you to be happy, and I am really, really sorry.”

“You won’t bad-mouth Chase anymore?” Katie crossed her arms over her chest.

Steph held up her hand. “Scout’s honor.”

Katie stepped back and said, “Too bad you were never a Girl Scout.”

“Mom said it was too time-consuming.” Steph came into the house.

“Wanna watch
The Vampire Diaries
?” Katie asked, shutting the door.

“Sure, which episode?” Steph asked.

“Does it matter? I have two words for you. Klaus and Damon.” Katie said, smiling.

“I’ll make some popcorn.”

“I’ll grab the sodas.”

C
HASE LEFT THE
parlor and locked the front door. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he checked for a message from Katie. Nothing.

Making his way down to where his chopper was parked, he climbed on and realized the last thing he wanted was to go home. After spending the last couple of nights with her, being alone in his big old house just didn’t sound fun. Maybe he’d head over to Buck’s and play a little pool.

Weak, Trepasso. You’re just hoping she calls.

He started up the chopper and rode down to the outskirts of town. Parking in front of Buck’s, he climbed off and strode to the front door. He walked in and sat down at the bar, nodding at Eric, who handed him his usual draft. “What are you doing here? Thought you’d be out with Katie.”

Chase shook his head and took a drink of his beer. “Nope, just stopping by on my way home.”

Eric grinned. “Well, word is you guys were getting pretty hot and heavy. Guess she ditched work to be with you?”

Chase made a disgusted face. “This town is too damn small.”

Eric laughed. “Yes it is. We have no secrets here.”

Chase’s phone rang and he saw Katie’s picture flash on the screen. He took another drink of his beer and picked up the call. “Hey, Firecracker.”

“Hey, you done?”

He tossed some bills on the counter and gave Eric a little wave as he left. “Yeah, I just stopped by Buck’s for a beer.”

“Oh, well, I’ll leave you alone . . .”

“No, I’m done.”
Please say you want me to come over. . .

“Oh, are you sure, ’cause . . .”

He straddled his chopper and said, “Katie baby, were you calling to see if I was coming over?”

Silence stretched over the line and he almost didn’t catch her “Yes.”

Grinning, he gave an air punch like a geeky kid. “I’ll be there in ten minutes. But warn your cat that if I see him, he’s going to end up as a pair of slippers.”

Her gasp turned into a laugh, and she said, “No, he’s not.”

“You just tell him, and I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Be careful.”

He chuckled. “It’s a three-minute ride. I’ll be fine.”