Page 6 of Friends With Benefits

“Uh…yeah.” Seladidhave a need for control. “Okay, don’t worry, I’ll get you more and I won’t say anything.”

“It’s incredible stuff. What’s in it?”

“Lotus and rose oil, and some other ayurvedic herbs.”

“My clients absolutely love it.” Amanda sighed. “So do I, for that matter. My hands feel so soft. I started putting it on after I shower.”

Kerri laughed. “No wonder you need more!”

“Have you tried it yourself?”

“Of course.” Kerri shrugged. “When I started making this stuff, it was just for my own use. I’ll whip up another batch and get it to you right away.”

“Got any other magic recipes?”

“Mmm, yes, as a matter of fact. I’ve been trying some things with different oils. Ginger oil to relieve muscle pains. You might like that. Kukui nut oil helps to repair the skin’s barrier functions, and grape seed and sweet almond protect and hydrate.”

“I could definitely use that ginger oil for one of my clients. He does triathlons. Does it work?”

“I’ll give you some to try. You can be my tester.” Kerri grinned and Amanda smiled back at her.

“Just give me the stuff; if it’s good, I’ll let you know.”

Kerri went back to her office, her mind abuzz with essential oils, ayurvedic herbs and most importantly, her upcoming blind date.

Friday evening, Mitch waited for Trevor Simmonds on the large patio of another bar in downtown Santa Barbara, not far from both his office and the building where Trevor worked.

“Hey, Mitch,” Trevor said easily, dropping into a chair across from him. “How are ya, man?”

“Good, you?”

“Had a great day, actually. Closed a multi-million-dollar deal.”

Mitch nodded, smiling, but unimpressed by the money. “Congratulations.”

Trevor took off his suit jacket and hung it over the back of his chair. The waitress approached them and they both ordered a beer.

Trevor grinned. “So where’s this chick you think I should meet?”

Chick. Huh. Mitch glanced at his watch. “She should be here any minute. Probably finding a place to park her bike.”

Trevor lifted a brown. “Her bike? Like, a motorcycle?”

Mitch laughed. “No. A bicycle. That’s how she gets around.” He could see what Trevor was thinking, picturing a muscular figure clad in bicycle shorts. “She’s very environmentally conscious.”

“Uh…great.”

The waitress set their drinks in front of them with a flirtatious grin for each of them and Mitch smiled back at her. She was hot—long blonde hair, endless tanned legs. Then he spotted Kerri at the entrance to the patio and immediately forgot about the waitress.

Kerri’s silky black hair fluttered around her face in the breeze as she searched the patio for him. The way she carried herself, that perfect posture, made her seem taller than her average height, slim and toned in her yoga clothes. Santa Barbara was a casual city, so she didn’t look out of place in cropped black yoga pants riding low on her hipbones and a blue top that wrapped snugly around her slim torso and revealed a hint of cleavage.

He lifted a hand to wave at her and she spotted him, a smile breaking across her face. He couldn’t help but smile back.

Trevor turned in his chair to check out who was coming. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open when he saw Kerri making her way through the tables toward them. He turned back to Mitch and gave him a broad wink. Mitch scowled. Yeah, okay, Kerri was gorgeous, but the guy didn’t have to be such a pig about it.

Kerri approached the table, and Mitch and Trevor both stood up. Mitch pulled a chair out for her. “Hi, Kerr. This is Trevor Simmonds. Trevor, Kerri Harris.”

Kerri shook Trevor’s hand with a warm smile and took the seat between the men, dropping her soft leather purse onto the brick patio.

---