Page 71 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

“Yeah, tact isn’t exactly on the top of her vocabulary list,” Everett said.

“Oh, God, what else did she do?” Callie flopped back onto the bed with a groan.

“Nothing, really.” Everett threaded one of Callie’s blonde ringlets around his finger. “She was semidiscreet.”

“I take it back; she is my mortal enemy. Initiate Mortal Kombat fighting stance.” She punched the air above her in some kind of crazy fighting style.

Everett held out her drink to her again, chuckling. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re adorable when you imitate nineties video games?”

“No, but thank you.” Callie sat up and accepted the drink. After taking a sip, she made an “mmm” sound that went straight to his groin. “You were right about these pumpkin lattes.”

“You’ll find I am right quite a bit.” Everett grinned when she made a face.

“Spoken like a true man.”

“I’m sorry. Did I come off as an alien previously? I’d hate to give the wrong impression.” Mock sincerity oozed from his tone.

“Ha-ha, funny man. I just meant that despite the several times you’ve gone all he-man on me, you aren’t a douche bag.”

“Hey, now, why is it when women tell men they are always right, it’s acceptable, but when a man says it, he’s a douche?” Everett shook his head, frowning sadly. “I smell sexism at its worst.”

“Oh, please, men were never oppressed and denied basic rights like voting,” Callie said, amending, “Well, not white men, at least.”

“Okay, this conversation is spiraling, so I’m just going to drink my latte and stare at the prettiest girl in the room,” Everett said.

“Smart man.”

“Man, I had no idea how mean you were.”

“It’s only because you’re holding my food hostage.” She reached past him for the bag, but he held it away from her.

“Hey, there is a toll.” Everett tapped his lips with his other hand to emphasize. “Sugar for sugar.”

“And I had no idea what a lame pickup artist you were,” Callie said, leaning forward, her lips pursed.

Taking her drink from her hand, he ignored her protests as he set it next to his. “I may be a pickup artist, but considering I’m in your bed, I’d say I’m anything but lame.”

Callie rolled her eyes and grabbed the bag away from him. “Whatever.”

“You only say ‘whatever’ when you don’t have a comeback.”

Callie said nothing, just shooting him a glare. He gave her an answering grin as he bit into his food, licking the crumbs from his lips.

“So where’s this first date going to take place?” Callie asked.

“I thought we’d go for another hike and have a picnic. It’s almost ten, so if we hurry and get ready, it will be time for lunch.”

“Did you forget about my ankle? I’m not exactly able to climb mountains at this point,” she said.

“Have no fear, Whisky. I have a plan.”

“THIS IS YOUR plan?”

Callie had gotten ready in record time for their picnic, and while he’d showered at her place, she’d added an ankle wrap to help give her extra support. But an hour and a half after she’d agreed to this harebrained first date, she found herself staring down at Everett, who was squatted down before her, motioning for her to climb onto his back.

“Yep, hop on.”

“You cannot carry me wherever we’re going,” Callie protested.