not those dogs you love so much. Oh, is it the director from the shelter? He seemed hot.”
“Anthony? No, he’s great but more of a friend.”
Gen tilted her head. “It’s not that cop from the summer, is it?”
All the girls turned to look at her. “What cop?” Kate demanded. “How do you know about this and I don’t?”
Gen grinned. “When Arilyn called the cops on my ex, we rode in the squad car with him. He had a gorgeous partner—Devine, I think his name was. But it was the other one that held Arilyn’s attention.”
Arilyn squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. Nightmare. She couldn’t lie. She had promised. “He’s in my anger management course,” she finally said. “Officer Stone Petty.”
“That’s the one!” Genevieve snapped her fingers. “He was looking at you like he wanted to gobble you up. He reminded me of the big bad wolf. Really tall, dark, and badass.”
Yes, on first sight he was a bit scary. Now? He’d saved her and Pinky. He hated children and women getting abused. He’d been through a crappy childhood and didn’t whine. He was amazing.
Huh?
When had she actually begun to like him? Did she like him?
Kennedy clucked her tongue. “About time you date a hottie. A cop in uniform? Kill me now. I’m hiring one for Kate’s stripper Friday night.”
Kate groaned. “I don’t want a stripper! I have Slade in my bed and have no need to see any other man naked.”
“We have to do it. Tradition. It will be tasteful.”
“Strippers aren’t tasteful.”
“Exotic male dancers,” Ken corrected.
Kate rolled her eyes. “Back to hot cop. Are you dating?”
Arilyn waved off the question. “No. He’s my client. Kind of. And he’s completely not my type. We fight, and you know I never fight with people.”
“Fighting is a source of releasing sexual tension,” Kennedy pointed out. “This could be a good thing. Did you ever fight with Yoga Man?”
“No, never.” Arilyn thought over their relationship. Had she ever even argued with him? When she got upset, they sat down and discussed. Made compromises. There was never yelling or anger, even when inside she seethed. Instead of letting the emotion back up and fester, she used her meditation and yoga practices to come to terms and release.
With Stone, she wasn’t afraid of snapping back at him. In a way, it was sort of fun. Nothing was left behind to work out, because she always told him exactly what she thought and felt, with no worries about how he’d handle it.
Interesting.
Gen nodded. “Kennedy’s right. The two of you exploded together. Why don’t you just date him?”
“No, we’re too different. It would never work.”
“Then just sleep with him.” Everyone stared at Kennedy. She lifted her hands up in the air. “What? Why does everything always have to be heavy and relationship centered? Affairs work. Get him out of your system. He’s your transitional anyway.”
Arilyn sighed and took out the casserole. Grabbing some plates, she began slicing pieces for each of them. “Maybe.”
Kate laughed. “Wow, he really did get to you. Normally you’d tell us to mind our own business and you’d never involve yourself with just sex.”
“She’s opening up to new opportunities,” Kennedy said. “Which is a perfect introduction to the real reason we’re here.”
Arilyn gave out the plates and forks, then dug in for a bite. “Now I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. We just brought you an outfit to wear on Friday night.”
Suspicion laced her voice. “I already have an outfit.”
Kennedy shuddered. “I know. It’s unacceptable. Boring. You’re gorgeous and need to play up your assets. No yoga pants allowed.”
“I’m not wearing leather or fur, and you can’t make me.”
“Fake leather,” Kennedy pointed out. “And you need to show some leg. You never wear skirts.”
Gen giggled. “She’s right, A. If there’s going to be exotic dancers, you need to expose some skin. You’re gonna love what Ken picked out.”
Arilyn groaned. “I am so not ready for this.”
Kate sighed. “Neither am I.”
Kennedy smiled. “This bachelorette party is gonna be epic.”
They all shared a glance. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Arilyn said.
Then they all burst into laughter.
ten
HANDS REACHING HIGH, palms together, and sweep down to the ground. Touch the floor. Deep breath in and right foot back. Lift the heel if you can. Inhale and release left. Hold. Fully exhale aaaand push back to plank pose. Hold for a breath. Lower down, chin touches mat, push back to Downward Dog. Hold. Breathe. Lower back down aaaand right foot all the way to your palms. Walk it forward if you