I got up and made a cup of coffee. I decided to relax before the barbecue until I heard a frantic knock at my door. Now what?

I walked out of the kitchen and opened the door for Mel.

"What are you doing?!"

"Having a cup of coffee," I said, raising my mug.

"Why aren't you getting ready?"

"Because the barbecue isn't until later," I said with a look.

"Oh good, we have time," she said as she grabbed my hand and dragged me behind her, causing me to spill my coffee.

"Mel!"

"Lina, we need to get you ready, and I need at least five hours to do so!"

Five hours? Isn't that a bit excessive? It takes me ten minutes to shower and ten to dress. Who takes five hours? It's not me.

Mel felt differently. She ordered me to shave my legs as well. I didn't know why. It's not like you could tell, and it's not like you could feel the stubble.

Once I showered and shaved, she worked on my hair. I swear I was going to be bald when she was done—nothing like tugging and pulling out chunks of hair.

Next was makeup. I smacked her hand away as she almost stabbed me in the eye with an eyeliner pencil. She glared at me, and I stuck my tongue out at her. Yes, I know, real mature.

But really? Why are we going through all this trouble for a simple barbecue? I knew it was a setup. I swear, if it's some skeezy guy, I was bolting. If it is any guy, I'm bolting.

Once I was ready, we left to go to Tara's. Since Mel drove, my escape plan was squashed, drat.

We pulled into the driveway and got out. We walked inside and were greeted by everyone. Brent was already there. Mel must have dropped him off before coming to get me.

"Kelly is getting the grill ready, and Scott is in the kitchen," Tara told me. I gave her a look. Yep, this was a setup.

We made our way to the kitchen. As soon as I came into view, my eyes widened, and I ran the other way. They stopped me from trying to bolt.

"Where are you going?" Kara asked.

"I can't go in there!"

"Why not?"

"Because of him," I whispered.

"Who?" Mel asked.

I pointed at the kitchen as she peeked inside.

Her eyes widened, and she turned to us, "Yep, she definitely can't go in there."

"Why not?" Tara asked her.

"Because the dude talking to Kelly is our boss and Lina's little romantic rendezvous," she said with a look.

"What?!" They both asked in unison.

"The guy from the bar Lina was dancing with happens to be our new boss, who she also slept with that night. It's the same guy in the kitchen," she told them.

They peeked into the kitchen, "I thought he looked familiar now that you mentioned it," Kara said.

Tara smacked her, and Kara slapped her back.  They turned back to me.

"I am so not going in there," I told them.

"So, now what," Tara asked them.

                                    ********
"So, tell me about this girl," Scott asked Kelly.

"Man, Lina is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She has the biggest heart, just not the best of luck with love," he said as he seasoned the steaks.

"How so?"

"Well, she only dated one guy, married him, and had a child. Then he got up and said he wanted a divorce."

"Something wrong with her?"

"Nope, it turns out he was gay."

"Ouch."

"It's all good, though. Ben is a great guy, and they are terrific friends and parents to Kami. Things happen, you know?"

"Tell me about it. The only good thing that came out of my marriage was Georgia. Her mother is something else," he sighed.

"I'm telling you, Lina is nothing like Victoria. She is a sweet girl. She needs the right guy," he told him.

"God, I hope so. I haven't dated anyone since Victoria. Except I did meet someone last Friday," he said.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, it seemed like we had a connection, but she didn't feel it."

"What happened?"

"It's complicated."

"How is it complicated?"

"It turns out she is an employee at the company I just acquired," he sighed.

"Does she know?"

"I'm pretty sure, although she denies us meeting. As I said, it's complicated," Scott said.

"She sounds like a flake and only wanted one thing. I would forget about her man," Kelly advised him.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. So, where is this Lina at?"

"She should be here. Mel was going to pick her up. Let me go find out," he said, washing his hands and entering the living room.

He found everyone in the living room, and based on the appearance of things, he had to ask, "What is going on here?"

Wyatt put his hand on Kelly's shoulder. "It seems our girl Lina decided to have a one-night stand with her boss, who happens to be your friend in the kitchen."

Kelly looked at him, "No." Wyatt gave him a 'yep' look. His facial expression changed, "No."

"Uh-huh."

Then he looked at me and thought, "So I guess the awkward part of it is out."

"Kelly," Tara exclaimed.

"What? Is it my fault Lina decided to have a random hookup? No, it's not."

"It wasn't a random hookup," she said.

He gave her a look as he turned to me, "Did you get his name?"

"No," I answered.

"Were you drunk?"

"Yes."

"Did you sleep with him?"

"Yes," I said as my cheeks turned bright pink.

"There, a random hookup," he pointed out.

"He does have a point," Brent said to everyone. We all looked at him, "What? He does."

I groaned as we were trying to get me out of this mess I had drunkenly got myself into that night. No matter which way you looked at it, I was royally screwed.

"Look, I told Scott to meet you. You both meet and talk. If you don't like each other, then fine. But don't leave a dude hanging just because you did a stupid thing," he reasoned.

I looked at him and sighed. He was right. I just had to suck it up, and hopefully, today wasn't a total disaster.

                                  *******
Kelly introduced Scott to me, and when he realized who I was, he shook his head. Yeah, this was going to be fun.  Maybe if I had stayed away from Scott, I wouldn't lose my job.

Everyone talked while I sipped my pop quietly. After a few minutes, Scott made his way over to me.

"So, do you prefer Lina or Carolina?" he asked me.

"Lina, I have no idea what my parents were thinking when they named me Carolina," I said, trying to act casually, but deep down inside, I was dying.

"Look, I just want to clear the air about the other day when I asked if we had met before," he said in a low voice.  "I remember you from that night, but I never got your name, and I had no plans on taking you back to my place and sleeping with you.  If we could forget about that night, it would be great. I don't want things to be awkward at work," he explained.  I just nodded and faked a smile, but deep down, I was dying.

"Yeah, sure, considered it done," I said, feigning happiness.

"Great," he said, breathing a sigh of relief as he walked away.  Perfect.  My track record with failed love is still intact, and so is my relationship with Ben and Jerry.

"Dinner!"  Kelly announced.

We all walked to the table, and everyone sat as I walked. The only chair available was next to Scott. Oh, this wasn't awkward at all. Not only was I an epic failure at love, but I also had to sit next to the guy who was my boss and wanted to forget what had happened that night.

I just sucked it up and took a seat.  People passed plates around as we dished food onto it.  Once we finished, Kelly said grace, and we started to eat.  I finally relaxed as everyone talked.

The next thing I knew, I felt a hand on my leg and squeezed slightly, startling me a bit. I bumped my knee underneath the table, causing everyone to look at me.

"Sorry, I thought I felt a spider on me," I told them. Everyone shrugged and went back to talking.  I turned to see Scott smirking. I shot him a glare.  What is wrong with this guy?  He wants to forget about that night but then does this.  Two can play that game.

I slipped my shoe off, took my foot, and started moving it onto the back of his leg, causing him to choke.  Everyone stopped and looked at him.

"Are you okay?"  I asked with concern.

He hit his chest as he coughed.

"Here, let me help you," I suggest as I hauled off and slammed my hand into his back, causing everyone to look at me with a bit of surprise.

He stopped coughing and glared at me. I smirked at him. I didn't know his game, but two of them can play it.

The rest of dinner was spent trying to tease each other and embarrass the other one.  My friends thought I was off my nut, but I refused to let a guy get the better of me. I don't care if he was a crazy one-night stand.

I was preparing to leave with Mel and Brent when Scott offered to take me home. Oh hell no, over my dead body, was I going to let him take me back and show him where I live?  Unfortunately, my friends thought it was a grand idea. I swear I am getting even with them.

We walked out to the car and got inside. He turned to me and said, "What was that?"

"What?"  I looked at him.

"Are you trying to wind me up?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I shrugged.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Okay, fine, then have it your way," he said as he started the car.

As he pulled out of the driveway, I asked, "Have what way?"

"Well, if you want to be a challenge, then fine. Challenge accepted," he said as he took me home.

Wait.  What just happened?