by Codi Gary
Stuffing her phone back into her pocket, she wiggled her friend’s shoulder gently. “Jen, hey, wake up.”
Jenny shot up, her blue eyes blurry and the indention of the keyboard marring her cheek.
“What? I’m awake.”
“Yeah, you looked it. Come on, honey, let’s go to bed.”
Jenny yawned and stretched. “I can’t. I’ve still got to finish this paper.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, cause you were getting a lot done before I came in and woke you up. It’s due on Tuesday, right? That means you have tomorrow and Monday to finish.” Ellie hauled Jenny out of the chair and gently guided her out of the kitchen. “Better you get some sleep and start fresh tomorrow.”
“Okay, you’ve convinced me.” Jenny stopped in her doorway with a smile. “By the way, how was your night? Meet any hot guys?”
“Nope. Dale Ranney showed up to surprise me, but took off.”
“Why? I thought he was really into you.”
Ellie avoided her curious gaze and in a high, innocent voice said, “Reasons.”
Jenny’s face snapped into a scowl. “What did you do?”
“I may have gone off on Mike Stevens about being sexist in the middle of Buck’s, and Dale thought I was out of line.”
Actually, Dale had thought that there was something going on with her and Mike and when she’d denied it, he hadn’t believed her. Oh well, she wasn’t into him anyway.
Jenny leaned her face against the doorjamb with a groan. “Why are you so hung up on destroying Mike? He said one thing to you, and honestly, it isn’t even half as bad as some of the other insults people have hurled at you.”
“Gee, thanks. You’re such a good friend.”
“I’m serious. I feel like you took Mike’s rejection really hard considering you’re not even into the guy.”
Of course, she wasn’t into Mike Stevens. If she was going to moon over some guy it would be someone worthy, like Ian Somerhalder.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just not used to guys passing up all I have to offer,” Ellie said, teasingly.
Jenny laughed. “He probably didn’t want to take advantage of a drunk girl in a bar. He’s a really great guy. I know you two haven’t really clicked, but maybe if you called a truce, you could work out your issues and be friends. At least acquaintances who don’t want to slice each other up.”
“Yeah, I know, everyone loves Mike. Mike’s so great.”
“Okay, whatever cranky pants, I am going to bed,” Jenny said.
“I love you!” Ellie called.
“I love you, too.”
Ellie went into her bedroom and changed into a pair of plaid pajama shorts and a T-shirt, but she wasn’t quite ready for bed. Her brain kept turning over the events of the night and with a heavy sigh, she went into the kitchen.
As she pulled down the ingredients for white chocolate fudge cookies, she mulled over what it would mean to put aside her grudge against Mike. After embarrassing him at the bar, there was no way he’d make the first move.
He’d told her to pick up her computer tomorrow. Maybe she could convince him to forgive her with an apology and a plate of cookies.
He wouldn’t say no to that, right?
The sound of twisted metal crunched around him as the car flipped over and over, bouncing him with every impact. His leg cracked and he screamed in pain as the car hit the canal.
Only it was full of water.
This wasn’t right. There wasn’t supposed to be…
Water broke through the windows, rushing in and he couldn’t breathe. He opened his mouth to call for help and his mouth filled with liquid. He struggled with his seat belt but it was locked.
He was going to die.
Mike jolted up in bed, gasping for breath. His body was covered in perspiration and his left leg ached where he’d broken it a little over a year ago. In a car wreck similar to the one in the dream.
Only when he hit the canal in real life, it had been empty.
He didn’t know what the water meant, but it was the third time in a month he’d had this nightmare and he was done. There was no way he was going back to sleep now.
He climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen. A middle-of-the-night snack was just what he needed.
Once he finished creating his double decker turkey sandwich on wheat, he sat down at the table. He snapped open the can of Coke he’d grabbed, and took a sip. His gaze strayed to Ellie’s laptop and contemplated it while he ate.
If he fixed the computer, it could be the perfect segue way for a truce between them. It took too much energy to fight with her, anyway.
Next to the laptop was the little notebook and he flipped it open, reading as he chewed.
Rule number one…
Mike grinned. A book with rules to follow? He could get behind that.
Chapter Six
Bits and Pieces Computer Repair was Ellie’s first order of business after breakfast on Monday morning, but didn’t see Mike anywhere. She had her apology cookies in hand, ready to let bygones be. Sure, Mike hadn’t exactly been an angel toward her, but two wrongs didn’t make a right, and she knew it.
Plus, that gossip column yesterday from Miss Know-It-All did not paint her in a favorable light. Over the past twenty-four hours, the columnist’s words had popped into her head, making her wince every time.
Former Bad Girl Ellie Willis Goes Full-On Drama Queen!
Ellie Willis, who had been turning over a new leaf from her former troublesome ways, is backsliding big-time. Last night she made quite the scene at Buck’s Shot Bar. Did she cross a line when she targeted resident favorite Mike Stevens about an overheard comment? I believe the word sexist was tossed out at one point. Normally this wouldn’t be gossip, but moments before Ellie had alluded to another bystander that there was a hookup between the two. So, was this really about feminism, or is Ellie a lover scorned?
Blurting what she had at the bar was a stupid move. If she’d known how many questions about Mike she’d spend her weekend fielding, she would’ve kept her mouth shut. It had been impulse. Definitely not jealousy.
Right?
When she’d stopped off to grab breakfast at The Local Bean, Mrs. Andrews hadn’t had a problem telling Ellie that she’d probably misheard Mike and that he was a good man who’d never insult a lady.
Ellie had resisted the urge to laugh and tell her he already had. Because then Mrs. Andrews would probably tell her that she wasn’t a lady.
Who cared, anyway? Being proper and ladylike was overrated.
Yet here she was, doing the right thing, hoping she could catch Mike today before he decided to take revenge on her computer or, worse, follow through with not fixing it at all.
She stopped alongside Mike’s desk, looking toward a closed door. “Hello?”
Nothing.
Maybe he’s in the bathroom. Or he’s hiding because he doesn’t want to see me again?
Mike didn’t come off as a coward, though. He hadn’t backed down the other night, that was for sure. She didn’t like that she had noticed a vein swell in his forehead and that his eyes had seem to darken to ink-black when he was angry.
It was insanely hot, but she didn’t want to think it was.
Ellie bent over Mike’s desk, eyeballing the pictures he had scattered about. There was one of him and an older couple, probably his parents, and another that looked like a high school dance group shot. Ellie squinted at the faces and was pretty sure she recognized Gracie and her best friend, Gemma Bowers, among the couples. Her gaze returned to Mike, who had longer hair in the picture, and his shoulders weren’t as wide, but he still had that beautiful smile and wore a pair of black-framed glasses.
Ellie set the plate of cookies down and reached out to pick up the frame to get a better look, but she bumped a pile of files in the process.
“Shit.” She gathered them and as she put them back a tiny black notebook grabbed her attention.
Curiosity made her fingers itch
.
Don’t look. It’s none of your business.
Unable to resist, she picked up the book and flipped it open to the first page.
This book is TOP SECRET. If you haven’t been given it, do not read it!
Ellie rolled her eyes and turned the page.
Never show fear. Women want a man who is confident and takes charge without being an asshole. They don’t want a guy who’s unsure or who hesitates. Ask her if she prefers Japanese or Italian. When she answers, say, “Great, I know the perfect place.” At the end of the night, if you want to see her again, lean down and leave your lips just above hers. If she sways your way, keep going. If she hesitates, say something like, “I don’t want to move too fast, but you’re so beautiful, I’m dying to kiss you.” 90% effective for first date kiss. 30% effective for being invited inside.
Ellie was laughing so hard, she almost didn’t hear Mike come in from the back, loudly singing…
Michael Jackson?
“Cause I’m bad. I’m bad. Shamoan!”
Ellie dropped the notebook on his desk and tried to act casual as he came around the corner with his headphones in. The minute he saw her, he stopped dancing and stared at her like a deer caught in headlights.
This was not how she imagined repairing the rift between them. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—s”
“What?” Mike said, jerking out his headphones, his handsome face tomato-red. “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here. Were you waiting long?”
“No, it’s fine. I was just coming by to say, well…I wanted to apologize for the other night. What I said was out of line.” Why the hell was she stammering like an idiot?
Mike ran his hand over his face and head, messing up his slicked hair. “At least Miss Know-It-All didn’t mention that I may have herpes, so it could have been worse. The headline could have read, Mike Steven Is the Perfect Candidate for A ‘No Glove No Love’ Poster.”
“I don’t think anyone would use that headline. That phrase hasn’t been used since the sixties,” Ellie said.
“Well, my dad used it in his birds-and-bees talk to me, so I guess it stuck” Mike said, laughing.
With the short strands of his hair looking mushed, she had the strangest urge to step into him. Run her fingers through it lightly, combing them back into place, their faces pressed closely together. Eyes locked, lips parted—
Holy hell, she was losing her damn mind!
Ellie’s giggle joined his. “That must have been awkward.”
“It was better than my mother’s threats of castration if I got a girl pregnant.”
“Ouch. Your mom sounds like a ball-buster. Literally.” Ellie noticed that when he relaxed and smiled for real, his eyes crinkled up at the corners attractively and she hated herself for enjoying it so much.
“She is,” Mike said. “I actually need to apologize, too. I have been a jerk to you, and it isn’t right. I should have just told you I was flattered and let you down easy.”
She cocked one eyebrow at him. “I’m not sure how I feel about that. You weren’t even tempted to take me up on it?”
Mike’s ears turned bright red. “I wasn’t in the head space to go home with anyone. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time when I was feeling pretty low about women. And I’m very sorry I took it all out on you.”
His apology warmed her toward him. A little. “Yeah, I’m not sure if that’s in your little book, but not calling women dumb should be rule number two at least.”
Mike’s gaze flew to his desk where the notebook sat, and Ellie wanted to bite her tongue off.
“Shit, you read that?” Mike walked over to the desk and shoved it into his pocket. “Do you always go through people’s desks?”
So much for calling a truce. “Would you believe me if I said it fell open and my eyes had a will of their own?”
“I make it a habit not to trust people who say ‘Would you believe me if.’”
“Fair enough,” Ellie said, wondering why she was trying so hard. He was exactly the type of person she avoided. Too nice. Too good. Too perfect. So-called perfect people always covered up something. Human beings were meant to be imperfect messes, and no one was ever good all the time.
But people in Rock Canyon genuinely liked Mike Stevens, even if Ellie wasn’t convinced by his good guy act, and his opinion of her mattered. The people of Rock Canyon still weren’t convinced she wasn’t rotten to the core, despite all of the good she’d been trying to do. Having Mike as a friend, or at least, not an enemy, could completely boost her image.
Ellie realized she’d spaced out when Mike started talking again. “Look, the book is just a gag,” Mike said. “Drew gave to me as a joke and I just haven’t thrown it away yet.”
Okay, that was just lame. “Right.”
He scowled at her.
“Well, I can see I’ve probably overstayed my welcome, so here are my apology cookies.” Ellie pointing to the plate on the desk. “Will you still fix my computer? I miss him.”
“Him?”
“Yeah, I call him Howey, and he’s been with me for three years. He even has a pretty jeweled sleeve.”
Mike shook his head. “Are you sure the computer didn’t die of embarrassment?”
“Haha. Please, will you fix him?”
“Sure.” He sat down, and she bit her lip as her gaze drifted to his pocket where the book was. It was a weak attempt to keep from doing something she might regret—such as dispensing unsolicited advice.
“Ugh, I can’t stand it!” He looked up, obviously startled by her exclamation. “Do not say that cheesy line. Any woman worth her salt is going to see through that and the ones who don’t, you do not want to get involved with. If you’re going to kiss a woman, just do it. Don’t play games.”
Mike sat back in the chair, his expression considering. “You really don’t know how to keep your mouth shut, do you?”
“No, I can’t when you’re going to make a huge mistake. I admit, I think the nice guy routine you put on with the rest of the town is complete and utter bullshit, but I also don’t think you’re a total waste of space. So, if you’ll help me convince them they should give me a chance, I can help you with your little notebook.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“Yeah, I know, but you’re also not a pro football player who can get tail by just snapping his fingers. Whatever is in that notebook might not work for you. Wouldn’t you at least like a second opinion?” Ellie couldn’t tell if he was actually thinking about her offer or if he was about to toss her out on her rear. She told herself this was important because she needed him to help her repair the damage she’d caused, but it might also be that she was curious. Why did everyone seem to think Mike needed help getting women? Everyone else liked him and he was handsome with his own business and house.
So, was she right, and he had laundry so dirty it scared girls away?
Finally, Mike asked, “But why your second opinion? What makes you such an expert?”
“You mean besides the fact that I have ovaries?” When he didn’t laugh, or even crack a smile, she sighed. “I’ve been dating since I was thirteen, and I know women. We all want the package deal…a guy who treats us right, who’s also uber sexy, has a few tats, and drives a hot car or motorcycle.”
“I’m just saying that you being a woman doesn’t mean you know about relationships. And you haven’t exactly been a fan of mine, so why should I trust you?”
Okay, he had her there.
“You’re right about the fan part, but I do know what women are looking for in a man, and this pretend nice guy thing is not it.”
“That is the second time in less than five minutes you’ve insinuated I’m not really a nice guy, that it’s all an act. I think I should be insulted.”
“Don’t be. You’re very good, but I know your type.” She ticked off her fingers. “You pretend to be a knight in shining armor until it’s no longer in your best interest and then you screw them over. Unfor
tunately for you, you’re being too nice and it’s turning the women you’re involved with off.”
Mike stood up and walked over to the shelf to grab what looked like a tool box. “So, if you think I’m just going to screw over whoever I date, why help me?”
“Because I need something, and I’m not afraid of making a deal with the devil.” Dramatic, but it broke the tension.
Mike laughed, shaking his head. “You’re cr—”
She narrowed her eyes and he coughed.
“I was going to say, creative,” he said.
“Right. Look, do we have a deal?”
Mike tilted his head, watching her with those Golden Retriever brown eyes and she fought the urge to squirm. Finally, he held out his hand. “Deal.”
Ellie took his hand with a grin, a plot already forming. “Come by Buck’s after work and we’ll get started.”
Mike stood outside Buck’s Shot Bar just after five, wondering what in the hell had possessed him to agree to this. Ellie and he hadn’t even been able to stay in the same room without insulting each other and now they were going to be in cahoots? Partners in crime?
He would have told people she was okay, just because he wanted to make it up to her for the way he’d treated her. But when she offered to help, some part of him kept yelling for him to say yes. To do it. To crack through all the bullshit and rumors and figure out who Ellie was. He couldn’t help it—she fascinated him.
Because she’s beautiful and fiery and doesn’t think you’re genuine?
He had to admit, he found it interesting that she didn’t believe he was a good guy, that he was just putting on an act. Granted, he hadn’t exactly shown her his best side, but still, people sometimes didn’t click. It didn’t mean they were faking it.
Suddenly the door swung open, and Ellie stepped out. “Are you going to stand out here staring at the door or come inside?”
“I hadn’t decided yet,” Mike said. “How did you know I was here?”
“A little birdie told me, and I’m deciding for you.” Ellie took a step toward him, and grabbed his hand boldly. Heat shot out across his skin and up his arm as he allowed her to drag him inside behind her, too surprised to ask what she had planned for him. He caught the sweet smell of her perfume, and, despite his best intentions, he got a semi.
