Page 76 of Twice as Tempting

Looking around the house, Kelly thought that Beth wasn’t doing too bad either, but she didn’t comment. Kelly was suddenly very glad that Damian wasn’t around to hear Beth prattle on about how much money people made.

Emma seemed to have tired of the conversation too, and she suggested that she and Kelly “go check on the boys.”

They grabbed a couple more beers as they passed through the kitchen, and then they carefully walked downstairs in their high-heeled boots. The basement was just as impressive as the rest of the house, boasting a game room, a workout room, and a large in-home theater system. Beth has thought ofeverything, Kelly mused as they walked by the giant flat screen television where The Addams Family movie was playing.

Damian and Zack were huddled around the pool table, chuckling about something with the rest of the guys, but when Kelly and Emma entered the room, all eyes shifted toward them. Kelly warmed under Damian’s intense gaze, and Emma was getting the same treatment from Zack.

“Aww…you ladies couldn’t stand to be away from us,” Zack teased.

“Just thought we’d check in on you,” Kelly said as she handed a beer to Damian.

“Glad you did,” he said. When the rest of the men went back to their game, he added, “You almost ready to get out of here?”

“No rush. Go ahead and finish your game,” she replied, even though part of her was ready to have Batman all to herself.

“I’ve had my fill of ‘girl time,’” Emma said to Zack. “I’m ready to be alone with Superman.”

“Let them finish their game,” Kelly said, and then she grabbed Emma’s arm to pull her away.

“Ugh. You and Zack are too adorable together, and you make it look so easy,” Kelly whined once the men were out of earshot.

“Kelly, things aren’t perfect for us, believe me, but at the end of the day, Zack is the one that I want to spend my life with. Even with all his little quirks, I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

Kelly giggled. “His quirks? What about yours?”

“Well, we all have them, but the person who can see past that and loves you unconditionally, he’s the keeper.”

That’s how I feel about Damian, but does he feel the same about me?

When they reentered the kitchen, Amanda was standing there talking with Lisa, a woman that Kelly and Emma knew well, so they went over to say hello. All four of them were chatting when Kelly heard Damian’s and Zack’s voices as they clomped up the stairs.

“That sounds like our men. We’ll have to introduce you to them,” Emma said.

Zack came over and slung his arm around Emma’s shoulder immediately, but Damian hung back, and Kelly turned to see what he was up to. The look on his face instantly told her that something was wrong, but she had no idea what it could be until…

“Amanda and Lisa, meet our dates, Zack and Damian Kostas,” Emma said proudly.

Amanda’s face fell, and suddenly the light bulb kicked on for Kelly. She glanced from Amanda to Damian to Zack, who now wore a similar expression of recognition.

“Am I missing something here?” Emma asked nervously.

“Damian? Is that really you under there?” Amanda ventured, her voice somewhat shaky.

“Hello, Amanda,” he said tightly.

Kelly felt her blood pressure rise, and the catsuit suddenly felt unbearably constricting. She wasn’t sure where to look—the tension in the room was palpable.

“You two know each other?” Emma said, and Zack tugged on her arm as if to warn her of impending disaster.

“Yes. We used to…we were…” Amanda stuttered.

“Engaged,” Damian finished, his voice sounding unnaturally harsh.

At that moment, Kelly wished that they had the superpower to disappear. She had no idea what to do or say, yet she felt rooted to the spot as the scene unfolded.

“That was a long time ago,” Amanda said with a strained smile.

“Yes, it was. So, where’s your husband?” Damian asked.