Not a Chance(48)

Travis held out a chair for Kristen and then sat next to her. He leaned back in his chair and put his arm over the back of hers.

He looked up at Arden. "I'm sorry for calling you a bitch the other night," he said.

He had Nick's attention, then.

"It's okay," Arden said. "I deserved it."

"Nope. You were just being realistic." He smiled at her, but it was a sad smile and wound up casting a pall over her good mood.

"How was Tonya's doctor appointment?" Arden asked.

"Good, I guess. He said everything looks good and she could deliver anytime. She's actually having sporadic contractions. But he said that could go on for days."

Arden felt a pang of jealousy. She couldn't wait to have children.

Kristen leaned forward, resting her chin elegantly on one fist. "When are you two planning on having children?" she asked Arden, as though she'd read her mind. The bitch.

Arden looked to Nick who answered for them both. "We're going to wait a couple of years."

Kristen nodded. "It's a good idea. You're both so young."

Arden slumped back and took a drink of her wine.

Travis was grinning at her while he fingered the fine black strands of hair at the back of Kristen's neck. Suddenly Kristen went stiff. She was staring at the front door. Travis noticed and looked back at the door. Brody Jessop walked in with his two kids. Shannon's party was an everybody event and there were lots of kids running around. Travis slumped down in his chair and sighed.

"You ought to sit still and wait for him to come to you," Travis said.

Kristen bit her bottom lip. "He won't come. He didn't even look at me."

Travis shook his head. "You go chasing after him, he's just going to keep on running."

Arden felt sorry for Travis. He didn't show it, but it had to hurt having her so openly prefer another man to him.

Nick laughed. "You just can't seem to hold on to a woman, can you, Travis?"

Arden expected Travis to react in anger, but he just laughed. "Guess it's time to reevaluate my life. I'm running out of options in this town."

"He's right," Alice said to Kristen. She was downing her third glass of wine. "Do not chase that man. It gives him all the power."

"Oh, Alice," Travis said, getting some of his swagger back. "You and your power issues."

Alice glared at him. Arden had never considered that Alice had "power issues." She wondered how it was that Travis knew enough about her to identify them.

"I don't have power issues," she said.

"Sure you do. I don't understand insecurity. So many people deal with it. Look at yourself, Alice. You're super hot. You're energetic and fun to be around. You've got all the power you need. Just relax and enjoy it."

Alice snorted. "Don't try to butter me up, Lanier. It won't work. I ain't kissing you under the mistletoe."

"Oh, you'll kiss me, alright."

"Like hell!"

Travis looked around the room. "Hey Vince!" he shouted toward the bar. Vince looked up. "I'm gonna kiss your wife under the mistletoe. Okay?"

Vince gave him a thumbs-up and then went back to drinking his beer. Travis stood and circled the table. Alice hopped to her feet and started backing away. She was shaking her head, but she couldn't help giggling. Then Travis lunged at her, caught her 'round the waist and lifted her off the ground. He carried her under one arm like a poodle.

Arden laughed at the whole thing. She scooted her chair around to watch as he dragged Alice under the mistletoe, dipped her and planted one, square on the mouth--a kiss that would have made stronger women weak in the knees. He let go and Alice stumbled back, regained her balance and shoved him playfully in the chest. He grabbed her and kissed her again. Then he spun her around and shoved her toward her husband, slapping her on the ass as she went.

But since Travis was under the mistletoe, now, the women of the room seemed to have taken notice. He was stuck there kissing women for the next few minutes. He spun Shannon into his arms and gave her an eskimo kiss. He kissed Emma, brotherly-like, on the cheek. More than one little girl stood on tip-toe to kiss him on the cheek.

Arden turned back to the table, shaking her head and grinning.

"He's a piece of work, isn't he?" Kristen said.

Arden nodded.

"I guess you'd better go get your kiss before he gets tired."

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Arden said. She could feel Nick seething at her side.

Kristen shrugged. "Well, I'm going to go get mine. Maybe it'll make Brody jealous." She hopped up and walked over to Travis. Arden watched as Travis smiled down at her, pushed her hair back and kissed her gently. Their eyes were closed and their arms were wrapped around each other. It was a fairy tale kiss. Arden wanted to vomit. She looked for Brody Jessop and saw him standing at the bar with a few other men. His eyes were on Kristen and he was practically turning purple.