Page 2 of Friends With Benefits

“That’s ridiculous.” She waved a small hand. “Just because you don’t believe in marriage doesn’t meanIcan never get married.”

“Do I have to remind you of the statistics? Divorce rate of fifty percent? Do I have to tell you again all the horror stories I hear at work?”

As a divorce attorney, Mitch had seen the cruel and vindictive things men and women did to each other in marriages gone bad and he swore he’d never go there. Never.

And it only seemed right to prevent his best friend from the same fate. Right? Right.

“It doesn’t have to be like that. Besides, how do you expect me to have kids without a husband?”

He looked at her small heart-shaped face, eyes wide and beseeching, her pretty pink mouth curved appealingly at him. His gut clenched. Jesus, it was hard to say no to her. He’d never been able to do that and it had gotten him into some screwed up situations. Like the time she’d talked him into kidnapping a leprechaun statue from that Irish pub in Goleta on St. Patrick’s Day.

He softened, looking at her and thinking about her with kids. He’d seen her with all her nieces and nephews, playing crazy games with them, down on the floor at their level, making them laugh. He’d seen how they followed her around whenever they were together. Yeah, she’d be a good mother. Shit.

“I know your parents didn’t give you a good example of a happy marriage.” She leaned toward him. “But look at my mom and dad…married forty years and still crazy about each other.”

“They’re lucky.” He tipped his beer up and drained the bottle, then rapped the empty down onto the table. Kerri blinked.

“Come on, Mitch,” she coaxed, still smiling.

He was a goner.

“What do you want me to do?” He sighed and lifted a finger to signal the server that he needed another beer. Now.

“Just introduce me to some nice guys,” she said with a quick smile, as if sensing his impending surrender. “I’ll take it from there. That’s all.”

He scowled at her. “It’s no wonder you can’t meet guys on your own. Look at you. You’re such a dog.”

“Back atcha.” Her eyes sparkled. She picked up her drink and finished her margarita just as the server returned with another Corona for Mitch. “I’ll have another, too, please.” She smiled at the server then turned her attention back to Mitch. “You’re pretty repulsive yourself.”

Things had gotten a bit serious for a minute there and Mitch couldn’t help but grin at her put down, much more normal conversation for them.

“Not to mention you’re a pain in the ass,” he continued. “Damn it.”

She still smiled, now with satisfaction. “So you’ll do it?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He sighed. “I’ll think about it. I have no clue who I’m going to introduce you to.”

“There must be some handsome, single lawyers at your firm that I haven’t met.”

No way. None of those guys. He shook his head. “Like I said, I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, but don’t take too long,” she insisted. “I’m in a hurry here.”

“Oh, yeah, I can just hear your clock ticking.”

She laughed and moved back to allow the waitress to set her frosty drink in front of her. Too full to pick up, she leaned forward to sip from the glass and when she lifted her head, grains of salt stuck to her upper lip. He reached over and brushed his fingertips over her mouth to remove them.

She flinched as he touched her and he drew back. What, he couldn’t touch her? They’d been friends for ten years. They’d seen each other puking drunk, comforted each other through painful breakups, celebrated promotions and business success together. “You had salt on your mouth,” he explained, picking up his beer again.

“Oh.” She touched her mouth but the salt was gone. Then she grinned. “That’s the best part of the margarita.”

“I guess you need some salty chips, then.” Again, he beckoned the server.

He had a feeling there was more to her desire to get married and have children than just a ticking biological clock, but now that she had him hooked, she was done talking about marriage and was on to something else.

“The painters are almost finished in the new studio,” she told him, excitement sparkling in her eyes. “The renovations are right on schedule and I’ll be ready to go June first in my new place.”

“That’s great. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s all coming together.”

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