Thanks to Tim’s mad computer skills and his wide-reaching network in gaming circles, the video ended up not only being searchable but somehow landed on the front page of a popular gaming site. He’d gotten it there by telling them I was the creative mind behind “Her Majesty’s Revenge,” the game we’d created together over a year ago that was currently at the top of the charts.
We were firing on all cylinders, and with all of those shares, my family and friends had helped our dance video go viral. It seemed impossible, but the view counter didn’t lie.
“What’s it at now, Mrs. Day?” Kyle asked again.
As my mother sighed and said, “999,902 views,” I couldn’t hold back a smile.
My list was this close to being complete. And none of it would’ve been possible without Colton. Pulling out the much-used paper, I unfolded my list, holding a pen in my other hand. All of the items were crossed off except the first three.
CARPE DIEM LIST
1) Fall in love with someone who will love me back.
2) Roll down a hill in Ireland.
3) Be featured on Dancer’s Edge—or get a million views LOL whichever comes first!
Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind as Colton placed his chin on my shoulder. Taking the pen, he drew a line through number 1, and I melted back into him. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten so darn lucky.
“How does it feel?” he asked.
“What, finishing my list?” I sighed. “Absolutely incredible.”
“Not the list,” he scoffed. “How does it feel having the best boyfriend ever?”
Heart skipping, I said, “Are you saying you’re my boyfriend?”
“Yeah.” He waited until I met his eyes. “Sadie Day, you have bewitched me, body and soul.”
My jaw dropped. “Did you just quote Pride & Prejudice to me?”
Colton cleared his throat. “I may have.”
“I think I’m in love.”
“That’s good,” he said. “Because I love you, too.”
Cheeks burning, I shook my head, hesitant to believe—but Colton was the most honest person I’d ever known. Besides, there was no missing the truth in his eyes.
“I love you, Colton,” I said quietly and felt him release a breath. I thought maybe he had been nervous, too—but then he shot me a grin, like he’d known it all along, and I rolled my eyes. “How about you? How does it feel winning the bet?”
Colton shrugged. “Normal,” he said. “I told you before. I never lose a bet.”
“Oh really?” I said, turning in his arms.
Looking down at his phone, Colton held up the screen so I could see. He had our video pulled up, and as he refreshed the page, I saw the view counter now read 1,000,001 views.
With a squeak, I did a little happy dance, not even embarrassed as Colton laughed. “I still can’t believe it,” I said. “We did everything on my list.”
“Why not?” he said, marking off number 3 then pulling me back to him. “You’re talented”—he kissed my cheek—”and amazing”—a kiss to my nose—”and all mine.”
I placed a hand against his lips, stopping him from any more kisses to which he cocked his pierced eyebrow. He knew I couldn’t resist that look.
“Uh uh,” I said, “there aren’t any more kisses on the list, Coach.”
“But there is Ireland,” he said, placing a kiss against my palm. “What are we going to do about that?”
“I guess you’ll just have to take me there on our honeymoon.”
I laughed at his stunned look.
“Relax Colton, I was just joking.”
“Ah, be honest Sadie, you were only kind of joking.” I flushed, but Colton shook his head. “You’re such a romantic. I’d be offended if you hadn’t at least thought about it.”
I scoffed, trying to ignore the truth of his statement and his smug expression. “Like you haven’t? I’ve seen all your romance novels, Colton. I know you’re just as big of a romantic as me—even if you try to hide it behind piercings and a bad boy attitude.”
“I admit nothing,” he said. “And you’re wrong about the kisses.”
“Oh?” I said.
“We’ve done all the ones on your list,” he said, a glint in his eye. “But not the ones on mine.”
I smiled up at him. “You don’t have a list.”
“It’s a mental one,” he shrugged.
“Oh, I see, and are there a lot of kisses on your list?”
“A few,” Colton said, one hand slipping into my hair as he leaned forward. “But once we’ve completed those, I’m sure I could think of some more. I have a good imagination.”
My breath caught as I felt the touch of his lip ring, his next words spoken only inches from my mouth.
“Maybe we should start now.”
“Whatever you say, Coach.”
Our lips met, and no list or check marks were necessary. No contract, no bet. Just me and Colton and this kiss that was unchoreographed, unscripted and amazingly real. Colton Bishop was my first kiss, and I wanted him to be my last. End scene. Roll the credits. It was simple: He was my person, and I was his.
Absolutely, completely, forever.
Thank you so much for reading!!!
If you enjoyed this book, I’d be so thankful if you’d leave a review. Your thoughts matter, and just a few words can really make a difference. Reviews are a wonderful way to support me and my books, and they help me find new readers! Thank you in advance, and I hope you loved The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad! <3
Also, please check out my other books!
Adorkable
Ninja Girl
The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder
Sadie’s book has been in the works for a while, and I can’t believe it’s finally out in the world. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever finish writing another book. Aunt Pat, my best friend, first reader/editor, movie buddy, best-person-I’ve-ever-known wasn’t here to read, encourage and give me feedback. She did read the first chapters years ago before she passed away, and I remember she loved the book—and Colton—so much. I’ll always remember that, and I think her faith in the story really helped me push forward. I hope it keeps pushing me because there are other books I haven’t finished that she loved, and I still want to make her proud. Pat, I miss you every day. I love you and hope you love how Sadie’s book turned out (and that Colton lived up to your expectations <3).
To Aunt Colleen and Mom: Thank you for telling me you don’t “bake” pancakes/Rice Krispies and for finding all those titled/tilted mistakes. I love you both more than words can say.
To Stephanie Mooney, thank you for the swoony/awesome/perfect cover! You’re amazing.
To Kristen, thank you for being a true friend and always texting at just the right time.
To the dancers and dreamers, thank you for putting your hearts out there for everyone to see. Keep dreaming and know that you are enough.
To my readers, thank you for all of your support! Every review, rating, blog post, share, comment is so appreciated! You bookworms rock, and I hope this one was worth the wait!
And to you, thank you, thank you, thank you for reading this book! I hope you swooned over Colton like I did *sigh*, and I hope you could see glimpses of yourself in Sadie. Oh, and I hope it brought you so many laughs! I feel so honored and glad that you chose to read The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad <3. If you’re still searching for what you want to do with your life or have a list you’ve yet to complete, don’t worry. It will come. And in the meantime: Carpe freaking Diem!
Below you’ll find Sadie’s Carpe Diem List (or in Colton’s words her Naughty List lol!). Do you have a list? Are any of your items the same as Sadie’s?
CARPE DIEM LIST
1) Fall in love with someone who will love me back ☺
2) Roll down a hill in Ireland ☺
3) Be featured on Dancer’s Edge—or get a million views LOL whichever comes first! ☺
4
) Talk dirty (work on better insults) ☺
5) Stay up and watch the sun rise ☺
6) See the inside of a police car ☺
7) Get a tattoo (daisy, dragon, lyrics/book quote?) ☺
8) Get something pierced (ears, nose, belly button?) ☺
9) Sneak out of the house ☺
10) Learn to drive a stick shift ☺
11) Go dancing at a club ☺
12) Crash a party ☺
13) Buy lingerie ☺
14) Have an explosive first kiss (preferably in the library) ☺
15) Kiss in the rain ☺
16) Kiss in the car ☺
17) Kiss in public ☺
18) Kiss in my bedroom ☺
19) Skip school ☺
20) Pull a prank ☺
21) Learn how to make pancakes ☺
22) Sleep with a guy (Just. Sleep!) ☺
Cookie O’Gorman writes stories filled with humor and heart for the nerd in all of us. Fiery first kisses, snappy dialogue, smart girls, swoonworthy boys, and unbreakable friendships are featured in each of her books.
Cookie is a hopeless romantic, a Harry Potter aficionado, and a supporter of all things dork. Chocolate, Chinese food, and Asian dramas are her kryptonite. Above all, she believes that real life has enough sorrow and despair—which is why she always tries to give her characters a happy ending. She is the author of Adorkable, Ninja Girl, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder and The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad.
Whether it’s about her books or just to fan-girl, Cookie would love to hear from you!
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The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad Page 23