Page 16 of Friends With Benefits

“What are you taking about?” she asked.

Mitch flashed a look at her that she didn’t understand. “Just some work stuff,” he said. “Tell your dad about how things are going with the new studio.”

“Oh, yeah, sweetie,” her dad said. “How’s your business?

“Going great. Things are almost ready. We’re opening on schedule June first. The big grand opening party will be in two weeks. You and Mom are invited, of course.”

“Yeah, Sela already told us that.”

“How come she’s not here today?”

Her dad shrugged. “Some family thing with Doug’s parents. She was stressed because none of the kids wanted to go. They all had plans with friends.”

It was a challenge for Sela, the control freak, to have teenage children who were now making their own plans and wanting a life of their own, and Kerri couldn’t help but smile.

“It will be good for you to have Sela right there,” her dad commented. “She can give you business advice, help out if you need it.”

Kerri’s smile disappeared and her shoulders tightened. “Dad, I’ve been running my own business for seven years now.”

“And doing great,” he replied hastily. “I was just saying, Sela’s got more business experience, so she’ll be a handy resource for you.”

Kerri gritted her teeth and almost growled with frustration. She and Sela had the same education, so why did they always think Sela knew more than her? They never took any of her accomplishments seriously, but Sela could do no wrong.

“Can I have some help in here?” Kerri’s mom stood in the door. “Dinner’s ready, we just need to bring everything out.”

After dinner, when they were getting ready to leave, Kerri’s mom handed her the last of the pasta salad she’d brought.

“You keep it, Mom,” Kerri protested. “I’ll never eat this.”

“No, you take it,” her mother insisted. “You’re single, you need it. And take this bread. And, oh yes, I got some things for you the other day.” She left the room and returned with a big shopping bag from Long Drugs.

Kerri peered in and frowned on seeing bottles of shampoo and conditioner. “Mom?”

“It was on sale, and it’s the kind that’s good for your hair. Moisturizing.”

“Mom! I can buy my own shampoo!” Kerri laughed, but inside, annoyance bubbled up.

“I know, I know, but I saw it and I thought of you. And there are some socks in there, too.

Arms laden with offerings from her mother, Kerri and Mitch headed out to his SUV. They’d just never stop treating her like the baby of the family. She’d bet Sela and her brothers, Justin and Jared, didn’t get all this stuff when they came over. Did they think she was too poor to be able to afford shampoo and socks? Or that she was too spacey to go out and buy necessities? God!

When Mitch drove her home, she struggled to tell him how she’d felt earlier. “I’m really sorry,” she began hesitantly. “When you were talking to my dad, I realized I haven’t paid much attention to your work lately. Is everything okay?”

“Things are great,” he said, eyes on the road. “That’s okay. You’ve been distracted lately.”

“I’ve been a selfish ass, lately. And I’m sorry. We’re friends. If you want to talk about any work stuff, just say. I’m a pretty good listener, most of the time.

“Yeah. You are.”

Guilt about all the things she’d been asking him to do lately without giving anything in return weighed on her shoulders.

“Next week’s the law firm’s golf tournament,” Mitch said. “Wanna come and golf with me?”

“Sure.” Maybe there’d be eligible guys there…

Chapter Eight

On Saturday, Mitch, Hailey and Miguel came to help Kerri move everything from the old yoga studio to the new space. They loaded up Mitch’s SUV and Miguel’s little BMW and drove over the new studio. As usual, Sela was there working on last minute details before opening Monday morning.

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