through her hair. “What did she say?”
“She shooed me away and told me she’s a lesbian. And the designated driver. And that she doesn’t speak English.”
“Hmm.”
“It might’ve been the truth; it did look like she was drinking a coke.” Stone’s brow wrinkled and he looked around the room. “I think that big naked mermaid is making me nervous. I’m trying so hard not to look at her, but it’s a very lifelike painting.”
Kyla clapped her hands together. “Okay. Plan B. We’re going to take things down a notch and get around a lot of women in a less stressful environment. I’m going to a Tupperware party on Wednesday. Lots of ladies, and it’ll be very casual. You can come with me. I’ll say you’re a friend who’s hopelessly disorganized and looking for some good storage solutions.”
“But that’s not true. I’m very well organized.”
“Pretend you’re not.”
He shrugged. “Do I have to buy Tupperware?”
“At least some modular mates. I’m sure you don’t have those. And remember everything that I’ve taught you tonight.”
***
Kyla was flat ironing her hair, when her phone rang. It was her friend Maureen, who was hosting the Tupperware party. “What’s up Mo? Need me to pick up something from the store?”
“No! I need you to get your behind over here. There’s a guy here named Stone who showed up twenty minutes early asking if he can get me a drink. He’s looking in our liquor cabinet right now! He says he’s a friend of yours?”
Kyla slapped her head. “I’m sorry. I was going to introduce you when I got there. I didn’t think he’d be there so early. Don’t worry, he’s a nice guy.”
“Is he like, your date or something?” Maureen asked.
“Uh, no. Not a date. Don’t I get a free mini-grater for bringing a guest? I needed a grater, so I’m bringing him. He’s my guest.”
Maureen sucked in a breath. “Oh, he just bent over. His butt is cute. He can stay. He’s kinda hot.”
“Yeah, he is,” Kyla said.
“But a little strange…”
“Yeah, that too.” But that was growing on Kyla. Despite his best intentions to be someone he wasn’t, he had a genuine quality about him that she liked. Hopefully, she’d find someone else who’d like it, too. Someone else who was smart, like him. “Hang on, I’ll be right there.”
But by the time she got changed and stopped for gas, she was fifteen minutes late. She walked into Mo’s living room where twelve women sat laughing. And not just laughing-about-a-funny-joke laughing, laughing in that flirty way where breasts are shoved forward and fingers graze necks. A little higher pitched than usual. Ugh. The laughter of women who hadn’t been flirted with in a while.
“Oh, Kyla! You missed it. Our new friend Stone just ordered each of us a mega tumbler,” said Kyla’s sister, Aubrey. Her hands were clasped in her lap like she was about to sigh dramatically. Aubrey batted her lashes, instead.
That was followed by a roomful of giggles, the likes of which she hadn’t heard since junior high.
Stone shrugged. “Drinkware’s on me!”
The ladies clapped and hooted. Stone grinned. Kyla’s friend, Stephanie, popped up and squeezed his bicep, the newlywed floozy. “We just love your friend, Kyla.”
Kyla walked over and forced a smile, grabbing Stone’s other bicep. She yanked him into the front entryway, pushing aside the jumble of boots and high heels. “What are you doing?” she asked. “You totally freaked out Maureen by showing up early without me. And you’re flirting with married women! Can’t you see their rings?”
He scratched his head. “Hey, you invited me here. And you told me to always get to a place before the woman does. So I showed up early. I offered to make cocktails because you told me I should have a drink waiting, but Maureen had two boxes of wine all set up, so I couldn’t do that. And I couldn’t buy anyone a drink, so I brought them a drink…cup.” He wrinkled his nose. “Stupid, huh?”
“A little. And expensive.”
“Hey, I got a free microwave rice steamer for ordering twelve tumblers.”
Kyla spun her finger in the air and said, “Woo-hoo. Now get in there, pick a woman without a wedding ring and start flirting. Get them talking about you.” She poked him in the chest. His impressively hard chest.
He sucked in a breath and squared his shoulders. “Okay boss, I’m on it.”
Stone didn’t have to work too hard. The minute he marched back into the room, Mo’s cousin, Maria, a cute redhead, patted the seat next