Page 61 of Friends With Benefits

He shook his head violently. They sat in her living room, the DVD they were about to watch in Mitch’s hand. “He just split up with his last wife. Honestly, the ink probably isn’t even dry on the divorce papers. And now he has someone new.”

“He doesn’t like to be alone, does he?”

He looked at Kerri. “You think that’s what it is?”

“I have no idea.” She shrugged, crossing her legs into the lotus position on the couch. “I don’t even know him. It just sounds like it.”

“I guess I can understand that, but why can’t his relationships last? And knowing he doesn’t have a good track record, why would he bother to keep getting married over and over again? Just live together or something, for God’s sake.”

“Marriage must mean something to him.”

“It means another alimony payment. Thank God he’s never had more kids. That would get really expensive.” He looked at her. “He wants to meet you, too. But you don’t have to, if you don’t want. Believe me, he’s no treat.”

“Mitch! He’s your father.”

“I know, but I just…I don’t exactlyhatehim…”

“Mitch! You can’t hate your father.”

“Kerri, Kerri, you’ve led such a sheltered life.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close, tugging her off balance in her cross-legged position. With a giggle she righted herself and snuggled into him. “I said I don’t hate him. I just have no respect for him. It’s such a loser way to keep living your life.”

“Of course I’ll meet him,” she said softly. “Maybe I won’t like him either, but he is your dad.”

Two days later, when Jeff MacAulay introduced Mitch and Kerri to a visibly pregnant young woman with short curly brown hair, Mitch cringed as his words came back to smack him in the face. “This is Carmen,” Jeff said, and Mitch studiously avoided looking at Kerri as they shook hands and murmured greetings. When they took their seats, Kerri put her hand on Mitch’s leg under the table and dug her fingers in to his rigid muscles.

“So Mitch, how’s work going? That big-shot law career still going well?”

Kerri could hear the pride in Jeff’s voice despite the casually worded question. She studied Mitch’s dad. In looks, they were very similar, tall, broad, handsome. Jeff had the same casual charm and easy smile. It was hard not to like him.

They made small talk, Mitch talking very briefly about his move into collaborative law, then Mitch started asking Carmen about herself. Kerri could feel the waves of hostility and tension coming off him and wondered if the others sensed it too. Carmen seemed very friendly, almost naïve, and oblivious to any undercurrents. She also seemed very young, younger than both Kerri and Mitch. Holy smokes.

“So, guess what,” Jeff said, smiling broadly. “Carmen and I are getting married.”

“No shit,” Mitch muttered. Kerri grabbed his hand and squeezed.

Jeff frowned. “Hey. Congratulate us. You should be happy for us.”

“Congratulations,” Mitch said shortly. “When is the wedding?”

“Actually we’re thinking of this weekend.”

Mitch choked on his drink.

“Well, maybe you didn’t notice, but Carmen is expecting,” Jeff continued happily. “You’re going to have a brother or sister, Mitch.”

“Congratulations,” he managed to sputter again. “Wow.”

“When are you due?” Kerri asked Carmen softly.

“Right around Christmas.” She smiled gently. “It’s going to be awesome.” She paused. “We would love for you two to be at the wedding.”

Mitch was clearly struggling for words. “Um…”

“Mitch is a busy guy,” his father said quietly. “And he doesn’t much like weddings.”

“I don’t likehisweddings,” Mitch snorted later, sitting in his SUV in front of Kerri’s condo.

“I’m sorry.”

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