Stirred: A Love Story Read Free Page A

exactly—”
    “Just fucked?” Sage leaned over and said quietly, realizing that the need to whisper those words in a closed bar, speaking only with her best friend, meant she had a long way to go toward naughty. “I know, but there are pictures in the book. It’s all about heels and showing skin and pouty lips. Oh, and messy hair. Which I’ve actually mastered already.” She ran her fingers through her short brown hair.
    Kenna found the pictures on the Kindle. “I. . . Wow. Okay, well this is. . .”
    “A challenge. I haven’t had one in a while, and my sister’s right. I am a bartender in a big city.”
    “Will you stop saying that? You hiked Mount Whitney a few months back. That was a challenge. You’re the queen of pushing yourself. But this? I think you should pass on this one.”
    “Why?”
    “Because being naughty isn’t like cutting your hair short or learning to play the cello.”
    “Hey, don’t bring up the cello. I’m still upset about that. Who knew I was tone deaf, right? Sorry, go ahead.”
    “My point is we all have certain character things we’re born with. Like, I’m. . .”
    “Pig-headed, crass?”
    “Blunt, I was going to say blunt. I am not pig-headed. I’m not even sure what that means. Shouldn’t that term stay on the farm?”
    “Maybe I’m a closet farm girl.”
    Kenna laughed. “You wish. Anyway, being blunt is part of who I am and unless I want to change everything else, I can’t change something that big. You know?”
    Sage thought she understood, but she’d done so many things, learned so much in the last few years, that she wasn’t sure why this was any different. There were steps, a guide to naughty, and she would master them.
    “You’re not naughty, Sage. You’re kind and completely unaware of how smart and beautiful you are.”
    “Aww.”
    “I’m serious. What if you change that part of yourself in the name of some challenge and you lose all the rest?”
    “Have you been watching Oprah with your dad again?”
    Kenna shook her head.
    “I think you’re making a big deal out of this. I have a book, a blueprint. This is going to be fun, and maybe I’ll learn some things about myself.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like. . . I. . . like being naughty.”
    “Don’t you think you would have figured that out when what’s-his-face, your last boyfriend before you moved here, wanted to break out the blindfold?”
    “That was a long time ago and different.”
    “Yeah, how so?”
    “It was. I’m doing this and you are my friend, so you have to be supportive.” Sage snatched the Kindle from Kenna’s hand and slipped it back into her purse. “I have some naughty clothes, and New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and see what happens. Besides, I’ll be here, around people I know, so it’s like a baby step. Not like I’m heading to Vegas without panties on or anything.”
    They both laughed, and Sage stood to get more coffee.
    “Garrett is babysitting Paige,” Kenna said, wincing as if she was almost afraid to say her brother’s name.
    “You see?” Sage whipped around as the coffee sloshed in the cups. “Another reason why this is important. You assume the only reason I want to be naughty is to get his attention.”
    Kenna tilted her head and remained quiet.
    “Fine. I clearly have it bad for him, but that’s why this is a good idea. I’m giving myself a reboot. None of my efforts will be directed at Mr. Dear-Lord-You’re-Perfect-And-So-Hot-In-Those—”
    “Sage.”
    “Right, sorry. None of my usual sad, pathetic pining. This could be so empowering. Remember when you wanted to date after the Travis dream?”
    Kenna nodded.
    “Well, there was a reason I wanted to date too. Garrett and I are not going to have the same happy ending as you two do, but I’d like one, so I need to change things up. There are other men out there, and this book is going to help me learn to have fun. I’ve never been good with, you