Kim huffed out a breath and propped her hands on her hips. “Like you’ve told me anything going on with you lately, Sar? Pot, go jump in the kettle.”
“Here, let me help.” Michael rushed forward to grab his beer and something fruity that must have been Kim’s cocktail. He pushed it in Kim’s direction with a narrow-eyed look. “Here. Suck on that cherry. Keep your mouth busy for a change.”
She sputtered while Sara laughed into her fist. “I like you, Michael Montgomery.”
“Glad someone under this roof does.”
“Oh, I do too.” Brad strolled in, beer in one hand, spatula in the other. “Good to see you, man. Dinner will be ready in fifteen if you want to take a look at the Kiminator’s car now. Up to you.” He slung an arm around Sara’s neck and kissed her head. “I’m borrowing my gorgeous girl for a pre-dinner qu—”
“Talk,” Sara interrupted, thumping Brad’s chest. “Easy, tiger.”
Brad laughed. “Can’t blame a guy for trying, right?”
“Nope, absolutely not.” Michael glanced at Kim, who’d returned to fussing with her napkins while avoiding looking at anyone in the room. If he were to try anything with her, she’d probably bite.
Why did he find that so damn appealing?
He popped the top on his beer as Brad and Sara disappeared into the kitchen. After taking an experimental sip, he pursed his lips. “Hmm. Not bad.”
“Let me guess. You’ve never had beer before either.” Kim came around the table. “No wine, no beer, no sex. What else haven’t you had?”
He stared at her for a long moment. “You.”
She gripped her cocktail in tense fingers and shook her head. “No. Don’t start with me. Not tonight.”
“What’s the big deal about tonight?”
She shook off the question. “Having me twice is as good as it gets.”
“Having your body isn’t the same as having you.”
“Please,” she said softly. “I can’t do this tonight. Brad’s and Sara’s hormones are already buzzing. They’re going to tell me their big news and they invited you over so I’m forced to process how my life’s going to change in front of an audience. Add that in to this morning and…”
“And you need a friend, not a lover. I get that. I can be that.” He tipped back his beer. “This is pretty good.”
The corner of her mouth rose. “So are you going to turn into an alcoholic now along with a sex addict?”
“Reserving judgment there.” He made a come hither motion with his fingers. “Let’s go look at your car. Bring the drink.”
She flashed him an actual smile. “I like when you think ahead.”
“That’s my stock and trade, Kiminator. Nice nickname, by the way.”
“Beware of my moving parts.” From the sour way she replied, she didn’t appreciate the nickname. A sore spot between her and Brad, maybe.
Moment of sensitivity for her feelings aside, he couldn’t help watching her cross the room, ass swaying in clingy white. “Duly noted.”
Two hours later, the decision had been made to change Kim’s battery in the morning and their delicious steak dinner had been consumed, followed by some kind of fluffy trifle thing Kim had said was her contribution. They retired to the living room with glasses of brandy—water for Sara, which was Michael’s fiftieth clue of the night as to what Sara and Brad’s big news was.
Judging from Kim’s fixation on Sara’s hand, she’d guessed as well.
“All right, all right. Out with it. Tell me your news or I’m going to go kamikaze on my brother.”
Sara laughed and tucked her hair behind her ear, shifting on the arm of Brad’s chair. “Okay, okay. I’ll do the honors?” She glanced at Brad, who nodded and patted her leg. She took a deep breath and faced the room. “I got offered a position as the head zoologist at the Stillwater Sanctuary in Laramie. It’s the most amazing job in the world. They’re offering me money to relocate and a big stipend to head the—”
“Wait. Hold up. What about the baby?” Kim demanded.
Brad frowned. “What baby?”