She's Out of Control by Kristin Billerbeck Page B

great. Thanks for cleaning them. I love that bleach smell.” Kay inhales deeply and continues. “Have you thought anything more about my offer? I’d like to get things started before the rates go up.”
    â€œI have! This should be kept quiet, but . . .” Doorbell. “Hang on, I’ll get the door.”
    I race to the door, and my stomach flips as I see it’s Arin. She’s back from the rain forest mission field, looking as emaciated as ever. I wish I had my ring and my date now. Her blonde hair shines like a tow-headed toddler. It’s the kind of color you can’t get from a bottle. It makes me finger my fake auburn lowlights, for which I paid a fortune.
    â€œAshley!” Arin squeals and pulls me into a hug, then steps back. “You look great. You have that glow about you. I know you’re not pregnant. Are you in love?”
    I smile sheepishly. “Seth and I are dating. We’ve been together nine months now.”
    â€œNine months, you’re kidding? I feel so old being away that long. You have to fill me in on everything.” She spots Kay. “Kay, it’s so good to see you. Kevin told me a lot, but clearly not everything if you’re living together, and Ashley is dating Seth and not Kevin.”
    Kevin is her ex. Well, he’s mine too, but we won’t go into that. Suffice it to say, it was brief and completely unrealistic. Kevin looks like Hugh Jackman, and he’s a pediatric surgeon at Stanford Children’s Hospital. Way out of my league, and quite frankly, that’s okay with me. I have morning issues anyway. I don’t want to wake up next to someone prettier than me. I’ve seen those women on Oprah whose family hasn’t seen them without makeup. It’s too weird for me.
    So I’m still talking, unable to stop my blatant oversharing, trying to compensate for my feelings of inadequacy. “Seth came up to Las Vegas at my brother’s wedding, and we’ve been dating ever since.”
    â€œWell, good. Those blue eyes of his are too precious to waste. They would be so pretty on a little girl.” Arin is completely sincere. You want to hate her because she’s so darling, but she makes it impossible. Generally she’s pure of speech and motive, but Lord for-bid if she wants something and you’re standing in her way. It’s that one little tick that makes you keep an eye on her, just in case.
    â€œWe’re hardly at the point to discuss children.” I laugh, but you know, come to think about it, we never have discussed children. That’s kind of strange, isn’t it? After nine months, shouldn’t I know if Seth wants children? I have no idea.
    â€œHe must really be something, though,” Arin practically sings. “You broke Kevin’s heart over him. And Kevin’s the sort of man who gets what he wants.”
    â€œI did not break Kevin’s heart. That’s completely laughable.”
    Arin sighs deeply. “He thought when he became a church boy . . . all that was left was the proposal. Then he got a phone call from you. A Dear John phone call . . .” Arin shakes her head. “I’ve known Kevin a long time, Ashley. He’s very sincere and very focused. He doesn’t even date lightly. That’s why I got rid of him. He way far too marriage-minded.”
    It’s getting hot in here. “Kevin has to have a list of women waiting longer than my arm, and he’s too intellectual for me. He needs a woman who can throw a good soiree. Someone who can plan for more than tater tots and weenies in a blanket.” Kay comes in and sets up a vegetable tray and I wave my hand. “Someone like Kay.”
    â€œHis parents didn’t like you either, huh?” Arin leans in. “Did they push you to join Mensa?”
    â€œIt wasn’t ever an option for me. I’m not the Mensa type of person. I’ll get the tea,” I say, frantic for an