Friends With Benefits by Kelly Jamieson

but lately his sense of humor had done a disappearing act when it came to Kerri. He made a noise of disgust.
    “What?” She eyed him over the glass of wine the bartender had handed her. “You asked a stupid question.”
    He shook his head. “Actually, I was serious. You’re looking for a husband and those guys seemed interested in you.”
    “You said they were ‘all over me’.”
    “Whatever.” He waved a hand.
    She sighed. “I wasn’t interested in any of those guys.”
    “You seemed pretty interested last night. There was a lot of hair flipping and eyelash batting going on.”
    “What!” She looked at him incredulously. He couldn’t help but smile. “There was not!”
    “Oh, yes there was. You were the champion hair flipper last night.”
    She scowled and lifted her wine glass to her mouth, taking a big gulp. Her hand rose and he thought she was actually going to flip her hair back, but then she dropped it to her side as she apparently became aware of what she was doing. His lips twitched. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
    “I know you’re mad, Kerr,” he said softly. “Why don’t you just tell me and get it over with. At least then I’ll know what I’ve done.”
    She peered up at him and her crystal blue eyes were shadowed. “You know what you did,” she said obscurely. He sighed. Women.
    “I apologized for that. I’m trying to pretend it never happened,” he said heavily.
    “Not that! I mean last night.”
    He stared blankly at her. “What?”
    She paused, looking down at her wine. “You told everyone you’re finding guys for me to go out with.”
    Oh, shit. That. Yeah, she’d looked kind of hurt. He’d just been trying to joke around and tease like they always did.
    “Damn, Kerri, I’m sorry. But you never told me it was a big secret.”
    “It’s embarrassing,” she said in a small voice, not looking at him.
    “I’m sorry.” Damn, he was apologizing a lot lately. His beer arrived and he picked it up.
    He had the feeling that wasn’t all there was to her frostiness, but he really didn’t want to start talking about “the kiss” right now. Kerri went over to talk to Sela, Hailey and Miguel standing in a group along with a man Mitch recognized. He followed and joined them.
    “How are Hailey and Miguel feeling today?” Mitch asked.
    “We’re fine,” they answered as one. Then Hailey asked, “Why’d you leave so early?”
    “It wasn’t early. You guys were out late.”
    “Hi, Mitch.” The other man in the group spoke up and held out a hand.
    “Jack,” Mitch said, shaking his hand firmly. “Hey, how are you?”
    “Really well, thanks.” Jack was a client whose divorce had recently been finalized. It had been messy and Mitch had felt sorry for the poor guy. His wife had tried to take him for every penny she could and had fought an ugly custody-battle for the children. She’d even fought over the dog. “How about you? Life is easier now?”
    “Hell of a lot easier,” Jack said wholeheartedly. “Thank God that chapter of my life is over with.”
    Mitch nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, I know. Glad things worked out okay for you. Jack, do you know Kerri? She’s the owner of the yoga part of White Lotus. Kerri, this is Jack Farnham, one of my clients.”
    Kerri reached out and shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
    Jack smiled at her admiringly. “Recently divorced,” he said. “Nice to meet you too.”
    Shit. Mitch scowled. Kerri did not want to get messed up with this guy and all the baggage he carried around, not to mention a vicious, greedy ex-wife and three children whose custody had been a major battle. But Kerri was smiling at the guy.
    “You don’t look like the typical spa customer,” she said, fluttering her long eyelashes at him.
    He grinned. “I actually come every week for a manicure and a massage. Amanda is the best massage therapist I’ve ever had.”
    Mitch’s frown deepened. Kerri nodded. “Yes, she’s great. Has