Page 52 of Friends With Benefits

“Jack and Jill?”

Hailey waved a hand. “That’s what they call it.”

Kerri sighed.

“Will you think about it?” Hailey asked.

Kerri looked at her. “It’s kind of late for that. We’ve already crossed that line. How do I go back?”

Chapter Twenty-One

Hailey’s words ran through Kerri’s mind for the rest of the day, including the wedding rehearsal and the dinner after at Hailey’s parents’ home.

As she talked and laughed with friends and Hailey and Miguel’s families, she was constantly aware of Mitch nearby, the way he looked at her, his eyes so warm, his smile so affectionate. It made her feel good that they were friends again, but damned if his justlookingat her didn’t turn her on, too. How was she supposed to go back to being just friends if she got wet every time he smiled at her?

She smiled back at him across the poolside patio where he stood talking to some of the guys.

Liam had called her Thursday afternoon to invite her out, and she’d regretfully told him she couldn’t see him again. The first “normal” guy she’d gone out with in a while, and she just was flat out not interested in him.

Maybe she was making a mistake in turning him down, after Hailey’s dire predictions. If things between her and Mitch were really just friends with benefits, there was no reason she couldn’t keep pursuing her goal of finding a husband. And she really, really needed a husband.

The only problem was, she no longer had any interest in any other guys.

Oh, man, Hailey was so right. She was in big trouble.

***

The White Lotus spa had been booked for the entire afternoon by the wedding party so they could get ready for the wedding there. The girls and Hailey’s mother had manicures and pedicures, salt rubs and hot stone massages to exfoliate and relax them, and after, they all had their hair and makeup done.

Kerri didn’t usually wear much makeup and when she did, she thought she did a pretty good job, so someone else doing it gave her visions of clownish red cheeks and lips.

“I know, I know,” Danica soothed. “You want a natural look.” Kerri submitted to her brushes and tools and when Danica turned her to the mirror, her skin glowed subtly, eyes shadowed and enhanced, and her lips gleamed a nice berry color, not too bright.

“Hey. It looks nice.”

Danica grinned. “Finishing touch.” She whipped the cape off Kerri’s shoulders and dusted her shoulders and chest with the same golden shimmer she’d used on her face.

“Who’s my next victim?”

When Danica was finished, they all admired each other, but Hailey especially glowed.

“I’m giving you each one of these lipsticks,” Danica said. “You’ll have to touch up the glossy topcoat, but the color should last all day. Maybe after dinner touch up your color too. Laurel, yours is a different color, you can’t wear that berry color with that red hair.” She handed them each a double-ended tube which Kerri examined doubtfully. Lipstick that lasted all day?

“And the good thing about this stuff is, you can even kiss and it doesn’t come off on the other person.”

Kerri kissed the back of her hand and held it up to show the others, amazed.

“Now for the hair.”

Again, doubts fluttered inside Kerri. “It’s not long enough to put up,” she told Angel.

“Sure it is. Just wait.” Angel started curling Kerri’s wavy hair and Kerri closed her eyes apprehensively. But when it was done, Angel had swept her hair loosely back in waves, her long bangs and a few tendrils framing her face. “Oh. That’s nice.” She turned her head to one side, then the other.

“I’ve got to get started on Hailey,” Angel said. “It’s going to take a while.”

The bridesmaids gathered in a different room to dress. The girls all wore identical cobalt blue, bias-cut slip dresses, cut low in the back, with tiny straps, which flattered all of them.

“We look gooooood!” Laurel cried and they all laughed. When Hailey emerged from the other room moments later, they all gasped.

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