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bad looking, but the minute Katy’s eyes met Rhonda’s, she knew that whoever he was, Rhonda wasn’t interested.
    “Sorry I’m late.” Rhonda was breathless. She set her things down, hugged Katy, and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Wait till you get a load of this one.”
    14
    FORGIVEN
    As she pulled back, Katy looked at the guy. He was in his late twenties, dressed in tight jeans and a close-fitting muscle Tshirt. His hair was spiked, and despite his goofy clothes, his eyes looked friendly. She held out her hand. “I’m Katy Hart.”
    “Katy, ah yes.” He took her hand, and his smile revealed a mouthful of bad teeth. “You’re just the one I wanted to meet.”
    Rhonda was standing behind him now, and she leaned to the side enough to roll her eyes in Katy’s direction. Then she mouthed the words good luck and headed off to the piano to join Al and Nancy.
    “Are you.., a friend of Rhonda’s?” Katy had only a few minutes, but she didn’t want to be rude. Besides, she had to know what the guy’s deal was, why Rhonda hadn’t even stayed around for introductions. She kept her eyes on him, giving him her complete attention.
    “Actually—” he pointed a few rows over—”my sister’s trying out.” He gave a confident nod. “I talked her into it. We’re a family of high achievers.”
    “Is that right?” Katy crossed her arms. “You’re an actor, then?” “No, no.” He made a sound that suggested theater would be beneath him. “Stanley Gaelic. I’m an RPSer. Hitting the big time next month.” He thrust his chest out. “Probably one of the best in the world.”
    Katy blinked. “An RPSer?”
    “Oh, right.” He touched Katy’s arm. “I always forget. Not everyone’s up to speed on their RPS knowledge.” He held his left hand out, palm up, and pounded it firmly with his right fist. “You know, rock-paper-scissors.”
    From twenty feet away, Rhonda grinned at her and made the cuckoo sign.
    “Really?” Katy shifted back to Stanley. “So you mean—” she put her hand out this time and hit it with her fist—”they have competitions for rock-paper-scissors?”
    “Competitions?” Stanley rolled his eyes as if Katy might be 15
    KAREN KINGSBURY
    the least informed person on the planet. “We’re talking huge here, Katy. ESPN
    covered our last contest and, well…” He brought his knuckles to his lips and blew hard. “Let’s just say among RPSers, you’re talking to someone, you know, pretty famous.”
    Katy could feel herself starting to laugh. “But, Stanley—” she bit the inside of her lip—”isn’t it just luck?” She pounded her open hand three times and made the scissors symbol. “It’s not like there’s strategy, right?”
    “Luck?” Stanley’s face fell. He took a half step back. “It’s the ultimate athletic competition. It’s all strategy. Luck has nothing to do with it.” He stuck out his chest again. “It’s about timing and rhythm and the ability to read a person’s mind.” He moved closer, his eyes locked on hers. “I’m very good at that. In fact, my mother always said I had the lion’s share of talent in the family.” He plucked at his shirt in a mock show of humility. “Not to brag or anything. We RPSers are a special group, you know?” He raised his brow a few times. “And from what I hear, you’re a special girl.”
    “Right.” She managed a weak chuckle. What was it about her and guys? Was this what she had to choose from? Katy caught a glimpse of Rhonda and Nancy, their heads together, giggling. She shot Rhonda a look that said she’d pay her back for this one.
    Stanley was going on, something about the judges being partial to guys with nice hair.
    Katy held up her hand. “Uh…” She looked at her watch. The kids were getting antsy, the excitement at a fever pitch. She raised her voice so he could hear her. “I’d love to hear more about it, Stan, but I need to get auditions under way here.”
    “Never Stan, Katy.” He took