Page 69 of Twice as Tempting

Chapter 22

“No way!” Damian said a couple of hours later, once they were seated at the Woodshop restaurant in downtown Clarkston.

“Why not?” Kelly implored.

“Because I’m not the kind of guy who wears tights,” he said emphatically. “Back me up on this, Zack.”

Zack arched his eyebrows at his surly brother. “No can do, bro. I think it sounds like fun to dress up as superheroes.”

“You would,” Damian replied.

Kelly decided to try another tactic. She placed her hand on Damian’s arm and rubbed it gently back and forth. “Wouldn’t you like to see me dressed up as Catwoman?” she purred, leaning into him.

He relaxed his shoulders some, but he still didn’t look convinced. “Not if it means that I have to wear tights,” he said.

Zack interjected. “Your friend said that costumes were optional, right? Well, then the three of us could dress up, and numnuts could just come as himself.”

Damian flipped his brother off, but Kelly grabbed his hand and entwined her fingers with his. “Please, Damian. If you do this for me, I’ll owe you a favor. A big one!”

That seemed to get his attention. “A favor, huh? Anything I want?”

Uh-oh, this had the potential to backfire on her. “Yes. Within reason,” she added.

The sly smile that spread across Damian’s face reminded her of the Grinch who stole Christmas! “Ok,” he said. “But you guys are my witnesses.” He pointed at Emma and Zack, who were giving each other a high five.

“Yay! This will be so much fun!” Emma enthused.

“Let’s go costume shopping next weekend,” Kelly suggested.

“We’ll ask your parents to babysit,” Emma said to Zack.

Damian glared at his brother. “This is your fault, you know. You were supposed to back me up, but now we’re both going to have to wear tights.”

“Hey, I’m not ashamed to show off my package. If you are, that’s your own problem,” Zack said.

“Damian has a fine package,” Kelly said in his defense, and he just shook his head as Zack and Emma erupted with laughter.

Their orders arrived shortly after that, and they all tucked in with gusto. Kelly and Damian split a rack of barbecued spareribs and mashed potatoes, while Emma and Zack split a steak dinner. Kelly had just speared a hefty chunk of meat with her fork when a shadow came over their table. She glanced up, and there stood Ken looking down on her and her forkful of meat. She quickly set down her fork, and said, “Ken. Hi. Where did you come from?”

“Right over there,” he said, pointing to the table across the aisle, where two other men were seated.

Damian, Zack, and Emma had all stopped eating to watch the transaction unfold.

“I’ve been sitting there the whole time, but you obviously didn’t see me.”

Damian narrowed his eyes at the man, but he kept quiet.

“Um, Ken, this is my…”

“Boyfriend,” Damian finished, standing to his full height. “Damian Kostas.” He stuck out his hand, which Ken reluctantly shook.

“Oh. I see. Well, sorry to bother you, Kelly. I just wanted to come over and say hello.”

“No problem,” Damian replied for her, and then Ken hastily retreated to his table.

“That was bordering on rude,” Kelly hissed at Damian once he sat back down.

“What are you talking about? I shook the guy’s hand.”