Friends With Benefits by Kelly Jamieson Read Free Book Online

everything from the old yoga studio to the new space. They loaded up Mitch’s SUV and Miguel’s little BMW and drove over the new studio. As usual, Sela was there working on last minute details before opening Monday morning.
    “Sela, you should go home to your family,” Kerri admonished. “They must not ever see you any more.”
    Sela smiled distractedly. “Yeah, it’s been busy, but we’re on a deadline here and everything has to be perfect.”
    Kerri rolled her eyes. “The world won’t end if every little detail isn’t finished by Monday morning. Just make sure you’re ready for the basics; make sure you have nail polishes for pedicures.”
    “It’s not that simple,” Sela replied. “But I’m just about finished for today anyway. And I have to take the girls shopping for dresses for the party next weekend.”
    Hailey and Miguel helped carry things in, then left Kerri and Mitch to finish arranging things.
    “Thanks for your help!” Kerri hugged her friends. When they were gone, she stood in the middle of the studio, surveying the mess. Actually, it wasn’t that bad.
    “Just tell me where to put things,” Mitch said.
    She smiled at him gratefully. “Thanks for your help, too. Let’s move the plants over there…no, wait. That big palm tree—can you take it into the reception area?”
    Mitch lugged the potted palm out front and Kerri directed him where to put it. She studied the result. Yes, that was a little better anyway. A few more small changes and things would be great. She had another idea.
    They hauled her bronze Buddha statue into the waiting area along with another plant and some scented candles. She had tons of candles. She loved the scent and how the warm, flickering light of candles soothed and balanced.
    Soon they had arranged everything to Kerri’s satisfaction and looked around.
    “I guess I’m ready,” she said. A thrill of excitement shot through her at the thought of her first class Monday in the new space. It was going to be awesome. “Want some herbal tea?”
    Mitch rolled his eyes but said, “Sure.”
    She went to her office and a few moments later returned with two small cups of steaming, fragrant tea.
    The excitement of moving to her new space helped the minor depression she’d been feeling lately. It had been weeks since she’d asked Mitch to help her find a husband, and she had gotten nowhere. Damn, it was frustrating. Patience was not one of her strengths.
    She sank down onto the hardwood floor, leaned against the white brick wall, and sipped her tea.
    They were silent, and she was trying hard not to blame Mitch for all the dating disasters she’d had over the last few weeks. It really did seem like he was doing it on purpose. How could he have accidentally come across so many losers?
    “It looks nice in here,” he said.
    “Yeah.”
    Again, silence.
    “Thanks again for helping me,” she said, now somewhat glumly, staring at her cup.
    “You’re pissed off at me, aren’t you?”
    Mitch slid down the wall and sat beside her, long legs in faded jeans stretched out in front of him.
    She turned her head and looked at him. “No.”
    He laughed. “Yes, you are. I can tell. Just get it out…tell me. The date didn’t go well last night, did it?”
    “No.”
    “What went wrong this time?”
    “Well. First of all he stuffed his pockets full of sugar packets in the restaurant. Then when we were eating nachos, he grabbed my hand and started licking it.”
    Mitch choked on a laugh. “Uh…wow.”
    “Then he called you a slacker.”
    Mitch sat bolt upright. “What? A slacker?”
    “I know! I couldn’t believe it either.”
    “Asshole,” he muttered.
    “Yeah. I can’t believe you’ve set me up with all these guys and every single one of them has been all wrong for me. Not just wrong for me…like, not even close.”
    “Uh…Kerri. I didn’t set you up with Eric. You met him at the golf tournament.”
    “Well. You invited me to the golf tournament.”
    Mitch