Page 31 of Friends With Benefits

“So, what would be your advice to couples?” Jack asked. “Litigation? Mediation?”

“My advice would be to not get married,” Mitch said dryly, and everybody laughed. “Seriously. If they could only hear the horror stories of the hatred and destruction divorcing couples inflict on each other, they might think twice about getting married. They think they love each other and they don’t believe that in a few years, they’ll be emotionally and physically beating each other up, spending thousands of dollars fighting over a five-hundred-dollar painting or a dog, or accusing the other of child molestation or being a drunken slut.”

He felt Kerri’s eyes on him and glanced at her. She’d heard this stuff before, no surprise to her. But her eyes flashed and the corners of her mouth tipped down.

“You’re so cynical,” she said, everyone standing there listening. “You shouldn’t be talking like that in front of Hailey and Miguel. They’re getting married in two weeks. We should all be happy for them. So listen. Why does California have the most lawyers in the country while New Jersey has the most toxic waste sites?” She waited a beat.

No, Kerri, not now.He sighed inwardly.

“New Jersey got first choice.”

Everyone laughed.

“What’s the difference between lawyers and accountants?”

The others all grinned. “At least accountantsknowthey’re boring.” They laughed again, except Mitch, who grimaced. She looked at him, shaking her head, a little smile playing on her pretty mouth. She continued, “What’s wrong with lawyer jokes?” She paused. “Lawyers don't think they’re funny and no one else thinks they’re jokes.”

More laughter followed, and now Mitch shook his head, trying to be a good sport, but damn, these lawyer jokes were getting to him. It was fine when he knew she was just teasing him, but lately she’d been so cool to him it was tough to take it in a light-hearted vein. Sparks shot between them as they exchanged a glare.

“Would you two just stop it!” Hailey burst out. The group grew quiet. Kerri and Mitch both looked at her, startled.

“Uh…stop what?” Kerri asked, glancing at Mitch.

“What is with you two?” Hailey looked from one to the other. “Last night you two just kept at each other, pushing each other’s buttons, and tonight it’s even worse.”

“That’s how we talk to each other,” Kerri said in a small voice. “We like to tease each other.”

“There’s teasing and then there’s tormenting. I don’t get it. What’s going on?”

They were both silent, again glancing at each other.

“Nothing,” Mitch said finally. “Kerri, I think Sela and your parents are trying to get your attention.”

She looked across the room where they beckoned her over. “Excuse me.” She flashed an apologetic smile at Jack then separated from the group and went over to talk to their parents.

Hailey and Miguel also excused themselves.

“Wow,” Jack said under his breath as he and Mitch both watched Kerri walk away, the straps criss-crossing her smooth bare back, hips swaying under the filmy black skirt. “She’s hot. She single?”

She’d kill him, but… “She is, but she’s kind of flaky,” he told Jack. “Not your type at all.”

Chapter Twelve

Hailey caught up to Kerri and grabbed her arm.

“Like, what is the deal with you and Mitch?” she challenged Kerri. “You guys are our friends. Everybody noticed you two going at each other last night.”

Kerri swallowed, her throat tight. “It’s complicated,” she whispered.

Hailey nodded, slowly released her arm but gave her hand a squeeze. “Okay. But if you want to talk about it at all, I’m here.”

Kerri just nodded. She couldn’t talk about this. She didn’t even understand herself what was going on. That kiss had messed everything up, and much as she tried to pretend it had never happened, everything was different now. It was like seeing things through different eyes.

She looked around and found Mitch across the room still talking to Jack, but watching her. Her tummy did a little flip and she slowly turned and went over to her parents where Sela had joined them.

“Hi, Kerri.” Her dad gave her a brief hug. “We were just telling Sela what a great party this is. The place looks awesome.” He smiled at his eldest daughter. “You’ve done a great job, honey.”

A corner of Kerri’s mouth turned down. Yeah,Selahad done a great job. The few things she’d allowed Kerri to help with were insignificant. The fact that Kerri, too, had a successful business was once again overlooked. She forced a smile as Kerri’s two teenage daughters joined them, looking startlingly grown up in their fancy dresses and makeup.

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