Never Kiss A Stranger

“It’s complicated.”

Urban stands from his patio chair and heads to the mini-fridge in his outdoor kitchen to grab another beer. “Why? You said she broke it off with Henry.”

I stare out at the water. “I don’t want to rush things.”

“So, you say.” He returns to his chair. “Are you ready to get married?”

I nearly spit out my beer. “Married? We haven’t even been on a date yet.”

He reclines back in his chair. “Yeah, but it’s obvious she wants to get married, right? I mean, she was just engaged. Someone like her is probably expecting you to propose to her after a short courtship like Henry did.”

I pull at the collar of my Polo shirt. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

“Ah,” he says.

“Ah what?”

He points his beer bottle at me. “You’re already defending her honor.”

“Just have a small party,” I tell him. “I’ll owe you one.”

“Oh, you already owe me,” he says. “Ok, I’ll do it. Now let’s talk business. Any updates on Henry?”

“He said he’s still working on it.” I lean forward and rest my arms on the table. “Is it even going to matter? Does he even care?”

“It matters to me,” he says.

“Why are we trying so desperately to save something our own father couldn’t care less about?”

Urban fixes his hazel eyes on mine. “Listen, forget about Dad. There’s other people invested in this brewery, besides him.”

He’s right. Urban and I both have a lot to lose.

I smile wide. “What do you think about dogs drinking beer?”

FOURTEEN

Kiki

Never stop dancing...

“How did you find this place?”

“It’s the newest thing,” Lola yells to me with her boobs bouncing to the beat of the loud techno music pumping from two black speakers not more than ten feet away.

“This is definitely a winner,” Poppi says, dancing to the rhythm, amidst the crowd of exercisers.

“I told you, morning raves are the hottest new way to work out.” Lola gyrates her hips, sweat already dripping from her brow.

Yes, you guessed it. Lola has struck again. This time, in a warehouse type room with a live DJ on stage, a morning rave erupts around us. The space even has enormous LED screens on the walls and an immersive light display.

Seven a.m. is way too early for this insanity.

But as I glance around, the throng of women clad in workout gear, dancing their asses off, appear to be loving it.

And I have to admit a secret, I’m kind of loving it too. It’s a very cool jumpstart to a boring Wednesday morning.

I may not be the best dancer, but these flashing lights kind of put everyone in the room on the same level. This is definitely better than a goat trampling all over me. As the lights change from blue to pink to yellow, I put a little extra sexy in my movements, practicing for the party tonight.

Blue—run my hands through my hair.

Pink—shoulder roll.

Yellow—lower body curl.

“You ok?” Poppi asks.

Blue—hand on my head, chest pump.

Pink—pursed lips, head nod.

Yellow—down to the ground.

“Oh my god, Lola,” Poppi yells over the music, “Something is wrong with Kiki.”

I pop up from my shimmy. “What? I’m just dancing.”

“Oh.” She laughs. “Carry on then.”

And I do. By the time the class ends, I’ve got a good handle on all my moves.

“That was so much fun,” I say on the way out.

“You looked like you were possessed,” Poppi says as we step out into the sunlight. I prefer haunted, but semantics.

Lola smiles. “Maybe it has something to do with her date tonight.”

I laugh. “It’s not a date.”

“Do you plan on talking to Henry about it?” Lola asks.

I nod, opening my car door. “I do. It’s only fair. Besides, I still have a few of his things at my house.”

We say our goodbyes, and I head home to shower and dress, and then make my way to work.

Once I’m there, I focus on the pups and nothing else. If I start thinking about Ellis and the party tonight, nothing will get done. So, I won’t let myself succumb to such temptation.

The day goes by in a blur of pampering pooches and ends with an inquiry from my last customer about a wedding for her Great Dane. To say I’m excited is an understatement.

“I feel sorry for Precious’ husband. She’s a real bitch,” Poppi mutters as I lock the door. “Who knew dog weddings would become a thing?”

“Yes, isn’t it great.”

Poppi smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, then it turns into a frown. “Should I be upset that Precious can find someone so easily, and I can’t?”

“What about the farmer?” I cringe at the reminder of the whole farm slash goat incident. “I thought you had a little crush on him?”

Poppi stares at her pink-tipped nails. “Yes, I did.”

“Past tense?”

“Well, we talked on the phone a few times and everything was going great. But then, he never called again.”