Friends With Benefits Read Online Free PDF Page B

least one of them was having a good night.
    “Absolutely,” she assured him. “It’s fine.” I’m getting used to taking a taxi home from dates.

Chapter Six
    This time Kerri called Mitch, and she didn’t wait until afternoon. She called him from her studio before her Saturday morning class started. She knew she’d woken him up by the sleepy sound of his voice.
    “Thanks a bunch, buddy!”
    “Who is this?”
    “You know damn well who it is,” she snapped. “And I’m pissed.”
    “I take it the date didn’t go very well?”
    “Well, not for me. But I think Jason may have got lucky last night.”
    “Huh?” He paused. “Jesus, Kerr, I haven’t even had coffee yet. Don’t confuse me.”
    “He’s gay, you idiot. We went out for coffee after the movie and he ran into some guy he knew named Matt, and, well, they kind of hit it off…if you know what I mean.”
    Mitch was silent for a moment. “I suppose it’s my fault that he’s gay?”
    “Yes!” She paused a beat. “Well, okay, no, but you know what I mean. What the hell, Mitch…fixing me up with a guy who’s gay? That is very bad karma.”
    “I told you I don’t know him that well. And anyway, why would he go out with you if he’s gay?”
    “Actually, I think he wanted to go out with you,” Kerri muttered, twisting a strand of hair.
    Mitch made a little choking noise.
    “It’s just so disappointing,” she continued. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much this time, but jeez…”
    “Okay, so are you finally realizing this isn’t going to work?” He sounded more awake now.
    She sighed. “I can’t give up already. I’ve been out with two guys—two! Come on, Mitch.”
    “Oh, no,” he said. “I’m not doing very well here. If you’re going to ask me for help and then get mad at me when I do it, I’m not going to play anymore. That’s it.”
    She bit her lip and said nothing. She still needed his help even though things hadn’t been working out that well. “Okay, it’s not your fault,” she said reluctantly. “I don’t blame you. Really. I still want you to help.”
    He was silent. “I’ll try one more,” he said heavily. “Three strikes and I’m out. Okay?”
    “Mitch?”
    “What?”
    “You’re not doing this on purpose, are you?”
    “Huh?”
    “You know…setting me up with guys you know won’t work out, just so you can be proven right. ’Cause that would be bad karma, Mitch.”
    Again, heavy silence. “Is that what you think?”
    “You do like to always be right.”
    “I am always right. I don’t need to play games to be proven right. Especially in this case.”
    “Okay.” She was sorry she’d asked that. She trusted Mitch with her life. He was arrogant as hell sometimes, but he didn’t play games. “Sorry.”
    “Are you going to Miguel and Hailey’s place tonight?”
    “Yeah. You?”
    “Yeah. Want me to pick you up?”
    “Okay.”
    “We can talk more then. When I’m awake.”

    ***

    “So, are you still going to help me?” Kerri asked Mitch later that evening, standing in Hailey and Miguel’s crowded living room. She leaned against a wall near the dining room, Mitch standing beside her. Kanye West thumped from Miguel’s expensive sound system and a burst of laughter erupted from the kitchen where the party had overflowed.
    Her stomach had been knotted up ever since their conversation earlier. She knew Mitch didn’t want to help, and she was getting worried that this whole plan might damage their friendship. She didn’t want that.
    He sighed heavily and put his arm around her shoulders, pulled her in for a hug. “Yeah, yeah. I don’t need any of that bad karma shit. I just don’t know who else to set you up with. Is there anybody here you don’t know?”
    “Just that girl.” Kerri nodded at a pretty little redhead sitting on the couch. “Who is she?”
    Mitch smirked. “You’re interested in her? Well, no wonder we’re not having any luck…”
    She cuffed his