Strike a Match (No Match for Love Book 1)

by Lindzee Armstrong

  The knock at the door immediately sent butterflies swarming her stomach. Taylor looked relaxed and comfortable in jeans and a blue tee.

  “Morning,” Taylor said.

  “Morning.” Kate locked her front door, then followed Taylor to his truck.

  “You look like you’re feeling better,” Taylor said, holding open the passenger side door. “Your coloring isn’t as pale. I know I wouldn’t look half as good the morning after being so ill.”

  “I’m fine, really. I haven’t had a reaction in at least two years.” She’d been hyper vigilant, knowing she was all alone. Beau hadn’t been able to move quickly enough to help her during an attack anyway. Besides, if she was ill, who would take care of Beau? She’d had two attacks during their time together—one when they were engaged, and one a few years into their marriage. Caring for a convalescent was challenging enough without being one herself.

  “You really scared me,” Taylor said. “I’ve never seen someone go into anaphylactic shock before.”

  “Thank you again for helping me.”

  “I wish I could take you out to lunch or something afterward, but I agreed to take over a shift for a guy at the station so he could go to his grandma’s birthday party.”

  “You don’t owe me lunch,” Kate said. “It’s nice of you to help out a coworker.”

  “I don’t mind. I love my job at the station. Besides, it’s not like we’re fighting fires all day. Most of the time we’re just sitting around or running drills.”

  The twenty-minute drive flew by as they chatted, and soon they were at the restaurant.

  “Thanks for driving me,” Kate said.

  “Of course.” Taylor reached over, gently grasping her hand so she couldn’t open the passenger-side door. “I meant what I said last night. I’d really like to take you out again, Kate.”

  “I’ll talk to Brooke,” Kate said quietly.

  Taylor nodded and released her, a grin on his face. “I’ll follow you to make sure you get home safely.”

  “That’s really not necessary. I can just send you a text when I get there.”

  “I insist. You’re looking a little pale again, and I’m not taking any chances.”

  “Okay.” Kate wasn’t used to someone being concerned about her welfare. But today she’d try being grateful instead of snippy. “Thank you.”

  Taylor’s truck stayed visible in her rearview mirror the entire drive home. Kate’s stomach fluttered with happy nerves. It felt good to have someone worried about whether or not she got home safely, instead of yelling at her for showing up late.

  Kate pulled into her garage and got out of the driveway, expecting to see Taylor gone. But he idled on her curb, the window down.

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” he asked.

  Kate nodded. She did feel a little dizzy and light-headed, but she knew it would pass if she spent a few hours resting. “Thank you again.”

  “Of course. I’ll be seeing you soon.” He gave her a heart-stopping grin, then waved as he drove away.

  She was in serious trouble. Her heart was behaving in a way it hadn’t in years.

  Kate laid down on the living room couch and turned the television to the home improvement channel, letting herself drift. The ringing of her phone jerked her out of a pleasant fantasy in which she and Taylor were watching the sunrise from a mountain peak. Kate fumbled for her phone and answered it with a groggy, “Hello?”

  “Oh my gosh, Kate. I just got into the office and listened to the voice mail from Randy. Are you okay? What happened?”

  Kate rubbed her eyes, struggling to place the voice. “I’m sorry, who is this?”

  “Brooke. From Toujour.”

  Toujour! Kate sat up, suddenly more alert. “Sorry, it’s been a long few hours. I’m still not thinking clearly.”

  “Do you have a few minutes we can talk?” Brooke said. “I didn’t mean to pounce on you like that. I was just so worried. Did I wake you up?”

  “It’s fine.” Kate picked up the remote and muted the television. “I’ve been resting, not sleeping. I’m not doing anything right now. We can talk.”

  “Randy feels awful,” Brooke said. “He said he was talking to the manager and waitress about what had happened, and when he turned around, you were gone. Of course he wanted to call and apologize himself, but he doesn’t have your number.”

  Kate nodded, not surprised. At Toujour, client information was kept strictly private, and it was up to each person to decide what contact information they did or did not share with their date.

  “Can I ask what happened?” Brooke continued. “I have Randy’s side of the story, but I’d like yours.”

  So Kate related the incident, including her assumption that the chicken had been fried in peanut oil, which had caused her allergic reaction.

  “And how did you feel Randy handled the situation?” Brooke asked.

  Kate chewed on her lip. “He was obviously very concerned.”

  “Kate, I can’t help you on your journey to love if you won’t be honest with me. We can learn a lot about a person in a crisis. What did you learn about Randy?”

  Kate sighed, deciding to be honest. “He froze up at first, but that’s not what disturbed me. He was being very aggressive toward the waitress and manager. I was only half-coherent, but I still heard him yelling that she should be fired. Everything was kind of foggy, but his tone of voice made me nervous.” Too much like Beau.

  “That’s completely understandable.” Brooke was quiet for a moment. “I spoke with Taylor this morning as well. He said he happened to be there and went with you to the hospital.”

  Kate blushed, pulling the blanket up to her flaming cheeks. “He was a perfect gentleman. I’m very grateful he was there.”

  “He still wants to go out with you, but what do you want?”

  “I … I think I’m ready for a second date with Taylor. I’m not interested in pursuing a relationship with Randy.”

  Kate could almost hear Brooke’s smile across the phone. “Excellent. We can talk more about this at your scheduled appointment on Monday. But I’ll talk to Taylor and get something set up right away.”

  Kate couldn’t believe how the last month had flow by. She and Taylor had been out on three dates, but she’d also been out on a first date with two other guys. Taylor was by far the most interesting of the men—and also the only one who made her heart flutter.

  But the ghost of Beau still haunted her. Despite the fact that she and Taylor were having a great time together, and their relationship seemed to be progressing, Kate was terrified to commit. She’d thought she and Beau were a perfect match, and look where that ended up. But at some point, she would have to take that leap of faith.

  She wanted to leap with Taylor.

  He glanced over at her and smiled, sending a zing through her entire body. An arm rested casually out his truck window as he drove toward his childhood home in a suburb of L.A.

  Yeah. She was meeting his parents—and maybe his sister, too. Taylor was excited because he’d bought Amy a bus ticket and thought she might show up. Kate hadn’t initially considered what meeting his family meant when she agreed to go to the Memorial Day barbecue with him. She’d been too worried about the fact that Memorial Day happened to be Beau’s birthday. But now she was excited for a more in-depth glimpse into Taylor’s life. She had a feeling he’d ask her to put her profile on hold this weekend.

  “You okay?” Taylor asked.

  Kate forced a smile. “Yes, just thinking.”

  “Only good thoughts, I hope.”

  “Of course.” Kate shifted in her seat, anxiety growing as they turned off the main road and down a quiet residential street. They had to be getting close.

  “My parents are really nice. They won’t harass you too much, promise. And you’ll love Amy. The rest of the people will just be friends and neighbors.”

  Kate nodded, trying not to let anxiety crowd out the joy of being with Taylor. She’d never
really had to meet family when it came to Beau. He’d ran away from home when he was a teenager and lost contact with his parents and siblings. She’d tried to get him to contact his family time and time again, but it hadn’t been until after his death she’d finally tracked them down.

  Today Beau would’ve been thirty-three. Kate hadn’t realized that until a split second after agreeing to this date. Guilt had instantly consumed her for not remembering, and Taylor had promised he wouldn’t be offended if she backed out. But she’d started this journey to move past Beau, and saying “no” to Taylor because of an arbitrary calendar date felt like a step backward. She’d woken up that morning feeling nostalgic for the good days with Beau—and there had been good days, especially during their brief engagement—but the excitement of seeing Taylor had quickly overtaken her.

  “Here we are.” Taylor pulled up in front of a quaint two-story home and killed the engine. “Home sweet home.”

  Kate slowly got out of the truck, looking up at the house. It was obviously older, with peeling paint around the door frame and a brick exterior that had long ago gone out of vogue. But the home also looked loved and cared for. Flowers flourishes in the garden bed underneath the wide front window, and the mailbox had the name Coleman hand-stenciled on it with butterflies fluttering around the name.

  Taylor stuck his hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched. “It’s not much.”

  “I think it’s wonderful,” Kate said. Her grandparents had tried their hardest, but they’d been way past the prime of their life. Consequently, most of the housework and home repair projects were done by Kate or not done at all.

  “Well, shall we?” Taylor held out a hand, and Kate slowly placed hers inside his strong grasp. They’d held hands a few times now, but each encounter made her feel simultaneously exultant and guilty.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Taylor asked. “I know this is a hard day for you.”

  “I’m fine.” Kate plastered on a big smile. “Let’s go meet your parents.” Maybe her future in-laws. She gulped at the thought. She and Taylor were nowhere close to discussing marriage, but they were both clients of Toujour and marriage was the obvious end game.

  Taylor opened the front door without knocking. The house was empty and quiet, but muffled laughter drifted in from the backyard. Kate barely had time to take in the shag carpet and faded floral-print furniture in the living room before Taylor led her down a narrow hallway. She caught a glimpse of a small kitchen with faded white cabinets and dated wallpaper before he opened the back door and ushered her outside.

  Unlike the house, the backyard was expansive, an inviting oasis with mature shade trees and a fire pit area that looked brand new. Adults milled around the yard, some holding babies and others canes, as young children ran around playing some sort of game. A gentle murmur filled the space, and Kate wanted to cry.

  This felt like coming home.

  Taylor gave her hand a small squeeze, and Kate clung to that hand, worried that if she let go this would all disappear. This is what a functional family with roots and friends looked like. Kate wanted this life for herself more than anything.

  She needed Taylor.

  Ice leeched away the joy that had filled her heart moments before as panic took its place. The idea of needing anyone was terrifying.

  She shouldn’t have come. Especially not on Beau’s birthday.

  “Come meet my parents,” Taylor said, pulling her toward a middle-aged couple with round figures and smiling faces.

  Kate shyly pulled to a stop beside Taylor, suddenly wishing she’d worn more makeup or maybe bought a new outfit for today. She wanted to make a good impression so badly.

  “Mom, Dad,” Taylor said. “This is Kate. Kate meet my parents, Harold and Ada.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” Ada said, the smile on her face genuine. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Only good things,” Harold added. “We’re glad you’re here. Burgers will be ready any minute now.”

  “I guess you haven’t heard from Amy, have you?” Ada asked, directing her attention back to Taylor. “She said she’d be here.”

  “She’ll call me when she gets to the bus station and I’ll go pick her up.”

  Ada frowned. “Are you sure she’s com—”

  “Oh, look, there’s Tom,” Taylor said. He smiled at Kate. “He’s been our next door neighbor my entire life. I’d better go introduce you.” Taylor dragged her away before his parents could protest. “Sorry,” he said. “But every time they bring up Amy, we just end up arguing. I hope it’s not a disaster having her here.”

  “I’m sorry,” Kate said. She knew all too well what it was like to have an addict as a family member.

  “I wish they would help her more.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Have you heard anything more from San Diego?”

  “Uh, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t planning on bringing it up here, but they offered me the job.”

  She pulled him to a stop, her eyes widening. “Are you going to take it?”

  He tugged her forward. “We don’t need to talk about it now. I know this isn’t an easy day for you, and I don’t want to add to the stress. Let’s just enjoy the party, okay? I’m really excited to introduce you to some of these people.”

  Kate nodded. San Diego wasn’t so far away—maybe he wanted to give long distance a try. He wouldn’t bring her to meet his parents if he planned on never seeing her again. She pushed aside her worry and followed Taylor around the yard, smiling as he introduced her to friends whose names she forgot almost instantly.

  They’d been there almost an hour when Taylor’s phone started ringing. He picked it up, his expression falling. “It’s Amy. I’ve got to take this.”

  “No problem.” Kate didn’t like the way his eyes had filled with anxiety at his sister’s name.

  Taylor answered the phone, his voice edged with worry. “Hello? Yeah, I’m here. Where are you? Mom’s been asking me when you’ll get here … Wait, are you drunk? I’m not mad, I just want to know. Where are you? … So you never got on the bus? Yeah … Yeah … Call your friend and see if she can help. Then call me back, okay?” Taylor clicked the phone off, shoving it back in his pocket.

  “Something wrong?” Kate asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Amy didn’t get on the bus. She’s wasted at some bar in San Diego. She isn’t even sure which one, but the bartender is kicking her out and she doesn’t have money for cab fare. And she got evicted from her apartment this morning. I’m so mad at the landlord. He told me he wouldn’t when I wrote him the check, as long as she kept paying.” He gave a humorless laugh. “I guess I have my answer to that riddle. Her rent was due this week.”

  “I’m sorry,” Kate said.

  “I do everything I can to help her, but she’s only getting worse.”

  “Did you say Amy called?” a deep voice asked.

  Taylor let out a quiet curse and turned toward his dad. “Yeah, that was her. I don’t think she’ll make it to the party after all.”

  Harold let out a sigh. “Where is she?”

  Taylor folded his arms, and his defensive stance had Kate’s heart pounding in her chest. “What does it matter? You aren’t going to help her.”

  “She’s still my daughter, and I love her.”

  “Then help her, Dad.”

  “No one can help Amy until she’s willing to help herself. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

  Taylor’s phone started buzzing again, and he flicked it on with a growl. When he hung up a moment later, he said, “Sorry, that was work. Someone’s sick, and I need to cover their shift. We have to go.”

  It wasn’t the first time Taylor had cut their time together short to help someone else out. Kate had been understanding the other times. But today? She took a shaky breath, watching Harold’s face grow red with anger.

  “Oh, and I’m sure there was no one else at the station who could cover for you,” Harold said. “In
stead of respecting your date” —he nodded his head toward Kate, and she wanted to shrivel up like a weed and blow away in the wind— “you’re abandoning us to help someone who can help themselves. Again.”

  Kate’s heart pounded in a chest tight with anxiety. She didn’t like the conflict of this moment—didn’t like the side of Taylor that was emerging. Was he really going to rush off to help someone else, knowing how hard a day this was for Kate? And what about Amy?

  “Goodbye, Dad.” Taylor grabbed Kate’s hand and pulled her toward the house.

  They didn’t talk as Taylor helped her into the truck. As he headed toward the freeway, Kate’s mind whirled. She understood why Taylor wanted to help his sister. But Kate knew first-hand that helping an alcoholic only ended in disaster. She shivered, suddenly cold despite the May heat.

  “Is someone really sick at work?” Kate asked.

  Taylor shrugged. “Probably not. This guy fakes illness a lot so he and his girlfriend can spend the weekend in Vegas. But I hate saying no just in case. And I had to get away from my dad.”

  Kate curled her fingers toward her palms, feeling nauseated. He was cutting their date short so some guy could get drunk and blow money at slot machines in Vegas? Leaving the party to help his sister she understood, even if she didn’t agree. But this?

  Taylor pulled up to her house and cut the engine, getting out. He silently walked her up the path to her front door, and Kate fumbled with her keys, then unlocked it.

  “Sorry I had to cut our date short,” Taylor said. “Let’s plan something for tomorrow night, okay? I should be home by dawn, unless I need to go to San Diego and help Amy. We can talk about the job then.”

  “Okay,” Kate said. She turned the doorknob and stepped inside, then paused. “No, you know what? I don’t have to take this from you. It’s not okay, Taylor. I can’t believe you’re leaving me on today—my late husband’s birthday—to take the shift of some frat boy who never grew up. I can’t believe, after all the guilt I’ve experienced this past week for agreeing to the date, this is how it ends. But more than that, I can’t believe that you’re willing to help some casual acquaintance, but not your own sister. Because you may think you’re helping her, but your dad’s right—you’re enabling her. It’s easier for you to play the kind big brother than to do the hard thing and tell her no. You’re taking the easy way out, and that’s not the type of guy I want a relationship with. Not again.”