“See if you can beat your last date record of two hours,” Mitch said with a smirk. “I’ve got ice cold sodas at my place and the game if you can.”
“You got it.”
An hour later, Luke parked his car and walked into the skating rink. The temperature dropped ten degrees as soon as he walked inside, and he buttoned his coat to ward off the chill. He should’ve brought gloves. The smell of nachos wafted over from the snack stand, and he inhaled sharply. They’d definitely need to get some of those tonight.
The floor squeaked as his soles rubbed across it with each step. It was a strange plastic material with raised dots, probably so you could safely walk on it in ice skates.
His eyes swept past the skate rental counter and snack bar, searching for Andi. He found her leaning against the white ticket counter in the center of the room. The nicely tanned skin and honey blonde hair unmistakably matched the picture Brooke had shown him. A red scarf was wrapped tightly around her neck. The man behind the desk was grinning as Andi laughed.
So she was a natural flirt. Then why wasn’t she already in a relationship? Luke pulled out his phone and checked the picture again, just to make sure. Yup, it was her.
Andi looked up as though sensing his presence. She grinned, said something to the man, and walked toward Luke.
“Hi,” she said, her voice still bubbling with laughter. She stuck out a hand in an oddly formal gesture. “I’m Andi.”
Luke took the hand uncertainly. “Luke.” He motioned to the counter. “Shall we get our tickets and skates?”
“Sure.” Andi fell into step beside him. “I really hate first dates, don’t you?”
Luke’s eyebrow hitched. This was new.
The man behind the counter glared at Luke, seeming to realize Andi was there for him.
“Two tickets,” Luke said. The jilted employee quickly completed the transaction, stamping their hands so they’d be admitted to the rink.
“First dates are so awkward and uncomfortable,” Andi continued as soon as they moved away from the ticket counter. “Agonizingly painful experiences, and you’ve had some real doozies lately. At least according to the press. I was thinking, let’s pretend we’re not on a date. Let’s pretend we’re friends. Sound good?”
“Sounds great, actually,” Luke said. But he couldn’t stop the suspicion from crowding in on him.
They picked up their ice skates and found an unoccupied bench. They sat down and unlaced their shoes.
“So what brings you to Toujour?” Luke asked. It had become his standard question when the conversation lagged.
Andi flipped her hair over her shoulder and stood on wobbly legs. “My best friend,” she said. Luke rose, and they baby-stepped their way across the floor. Andi grabbed onto the plexiglass wall surrounding the rink and carefully stepped onto the ice. Luke was right behind her.
“Your best friend,” Luke said. “There’s gotta be a story there.” Hopefully not one similar to his. He wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy.
Andi laughed. They tentatively started skating, sticking close to the wall. “Oh, there is. It’s kind of Rachel’s fault my high school sweetheart dumped me six months ago. She’s a newlywed and seems to think I will only be able to heal from the indignity of being dumped once married. Whoa.” An ice skater flew past them and she stumbled. Luke stuck out an arm to catch her. Click. Some lucky cameraman had caught the moment.
“Thanks,” Andi said. “Anyway, Rachel can be relentless, and she pre-paid for three months at Toujour and gave it to me as a Christmas present. I figured it would be easier to go along with it than to try to convince her I’m over Mark. That’s why I was excited when Zoey told me they’d matched us up. I knew you weren’t looking for serious either.”
Luke grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop. “What makes you say that?”
Andi rolled her eyes, pulling him forward. “Oh, c’mon. You’re totally gone on Brooke. It’s obvious even from photos. Aren’t you two best friends or something?”
“Or something,” Luke agreed.
“Yeah, I’m ‘or something’ too.” Andi sighed. “I think I might have a crush on Rachel’s brother.”
“Then why don’t you go out with him?”
“It’s complicated. I don’t think any of our friends or family would exactly be thrilled. But you … ha!” She shook her head, sending locks bouncing around her shoulders. “My parents and Rachel will die when they see the papers tomorrow. Definitely no ‘you need to find a nice guy to date and get over Mark’ conversations this week. Take that, Rache.”
Luke had no idea what to make of this woman. None of his dates had gone like this. “I, uh …”
Andi spun around, grabbing his hands and skating backward so they faced each other. Her hands were warm and soft, a sharp contrast to his chilled one. “Don’t tell me Luke Ryder is without words.” She grinned.
“I don’t know what to make of you.”
“There’s nothing to make of me.” Andi shrugged. “I’m just me. So, tell me about Brooke.”
Luke glanced around, wondering if a reporter was on the rink. But since it was a Monday, there weren’t too many skaters out, and none of them were close by. “I’d rather not.”
“Oh, psh. No one’s listening here. And if they are and somehow print our conversation, I’ll sue them for unlawful invasion of privacy.”
Luke laughed. He let Andi pulled him forward. “Is that even a real thing?”
“I’ll make it a real thing, then I’ll sue them. I’m very good at my job.” Andi let go of one of his hands and moved so they were skating side by side again. But she didn’t let go of his other hand. “So what’s the deal with you and Brooke?”
A skater flew past, and Andi and Luke both wobbled on their skates. Andi laughed as they slowed to a snail’s pace.
“I love her, but she’s getting married to someone else,” Luke said.
“Yeah, that sucks. What are you going to do about it?”
“I told her I loved her.”
Andi shook her head. “Not good enough. Women respond to actions, not words.”
“What, like I’m supposed to overwhelm her apartment with flowers and chocolates?”
Again she shook her head. “You’re rich—buying things takes no effort or sacrifice. You have to do something to really show her you’re committed. That she means more to you than anything. You know—the big gesture.”
“A big gesture, huh?”
Andi nodded.
“If I save Toujour, that’ll go a long way toward convincing her. If I don’t, she’s moving to Italy.”
“Well, that fits in with my plans perfectly then.”
Luke chuckled. “Ah, you do have ulterior motives.”
“Obviously. I need Rache off my back for a few months. But my plans benefit you too. I think we can help each other. You need a fake relationship for the papers. I need a fake relationship so Rachel can stop feeling guilty.” She grinned. “Well, what do you say?”
It was crazy. There were so many ways this could blow up in his face.
But it also could be just what he needed. What Toujour wanted.
Luke pulled her closer, tightening his grip on her hand. He hoped the photographers got a picture. “You make a persuasive argument. Deal.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Brooke chewed on her nail, her foot tapping impatiently as she waited for Luke to arrive. She half listened to the phone conversation Zoey was having with a client. Zoey shot her a questioning look, and Brooke shook her head.
She hated this part of it—hearing how his dates went. She was equal parts elated and disappointed when things never seemed to pan out. On the one hand, it had her questioning her matchmaking abilities. On the other hand, there was still a chance.
A chance for what? she silently demanded. She grabbed the framed photo of her and Antonio off her desk and forced herself to stare at it.
She’d mailed the save the dates yesterday. Antonio never had got
ten around to helping her address them. She should’ve mailed them before Christmas, but things kept getting in the way.
But what about Luke? her brain screamed.
What about him? Yeah, he’s in love with me right now. But in six months? His relationships never last. If we dated, our friendship would be doomed.
A hand landed on her shoulder. “Hey,” Luke said.
“Hey,” Brooke said. A month ago, she would’ve leaned in for a hug. But now …
The poster on the wall of a happy couple laughed at her.
Brooke unplugged her laptop and headed toward one of the parlours, Luke following behind her. These days, Toujour was a constant hive of activity. Matchmakers tapped away on their laptops, and the parlours were almost always full. Brooke shut the door behind them in the parlour she’d scheduled and sat down. She opened her laptop and focused on Luke. No, focusing on Luke was a bad idea. Then she had to look into the depths of his cerulean blue eyes and see the emotion there.
“You know the drill,” Brooke said.
“Hotness factor—a solid eight.”
Brooke’s hand stilled over the keyboard. He hadn’t rated any of the other girls higher than a six.
“I want a second date.”
Brooke’s heart thudded in her chest until the only sound was the blood pumping through her veins. Not happening, not happening, not happening.
No, this is a good thing. For him and Toujour.
“Okay …” Act professional. Be the matchmaker, not the best friend who is desperately in love with him.
Wait. What?
“Andi’s a great girl,” Luke continued. “It won’t be difficult to spend more time with her.”
And just like that, Brooke’s worry faded. Same old Luke. What was she thinking? In love with him? That was a relationship that would go nowhere fast.
Brooke finished the rest of the questionnaire. Her heart sank lower and lower with each word he uttered. Luke liked this girl. She could tell.
“I’ll talk to Zoey and see what Andi says,” Brooke said as they finished up. “If she’s interested in a second date, we’ll get that set up.”
“Thanks.” Luke rose, and Brooke followed suit. “Brooke?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m only doing this for Toujour. I’m not going to fall in love with her.”
Brooke hugged her laptop closer to her chest. Love is friendship set to music. She tore her eyes away from the quote on the wall. “Andi’s a nice girl.”
“Yeah, she is.” Luke brushed a strand of hair behind Brooke’s ear, and she flinched. “But I love you, Brooke. Always have. Always will.”
Brooke’s breath stalled, then rushed out in a gasp. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because it’s true. And I’ll keep reminding you of that every day until you believe it.”
“Antonio’s gallery is pushing for a March first move date. He was supposed to give them an answer almost a week ago.” Brooke didn’t know why she said it—it just came out.
Luke drew back. “You told him no, right? Toujour’s doing great now. I’m sure Charlotte will make you head of the office in no time.”
“Maybe it’s better if I leave.”
Luke’s hand grasped hers. “You don’t mean that.”
“Luke.” Brooke glanced at the door, making sure it was still solidly closed. It was, but she lowered her voice all the same. “I do. We can’t …”
His fingers tightened around hers and he pulled her closer. “We can’t what?”
“We can’t do this.”
“This?”
“This.” She pulled her hand from his and motioned back and forth between them. “Us.”
He swore. “Why not?”
She turned around and paced the small room, focusing on the dark wood floor. “Because I’m engaged. Because you aren’t ready for a relationship. Because it wouldn’t work.”
“I think the reason you aren’t willing to try is because you’re scared. You’re scared because you know once you let yourself admit you don’t want Antonio—that you want me—you’ll be consumed by the feeling. You’re worried because as soon as you let yourself care that much, you are no longer in control. You no longer get to decide whether or not your heart breaks. And you can’t stand the idea of giving another human being that much power over you. Even me.”
“I love Antonio.” Brooke wanted to yell, scream, throw something. “Why doesn’t anyone believe me when I say that?”
“Because it’s not true.” He pounded a fist against his chest. “It doesn’t feel true.”
“I need to go with him. I can’t have you constantly trying to rip our marriage apart. You need to move on, get over me, find someone else. Maybe Andi can help.” The words burned her tongue like acid.
Luke cursed. “I don’t love Andi. I barely even know her. Don’t leave. Don’t do this to me.”
She lowered her eyes, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. Toujour was going to be okay. She’d accomplished her task of saving the office. But she needed to go with Antonio. “I think I have to.”
Luke reached forward and grasped her arm. “Give me until the wedding. If you really go through with it and marry the guy, I’ll back off. We can pretend this” —he motioned between them— “never happened and things will go back to normal, whatever that means. But until you say ‘I do,’ there’s still a chance. And I will fight with my last breath until that chance is gone. Think about that, Brooklyn.” He opened the door and stormed out of the room.
Brooke stared at his retreating figure, her heart heavy in her chest. Zoey slipped into the room, shutting the door behind her.
“Please tell me the whole office didn’t hear that,” Brooke said.
“I think you’re okay. I had to press my ear against the door in a decidedly unladylike fashion to make out the words. Everyone will just think you got in a heated argument.”
Brooke put a hand to her face. “I can’t believe this is happening. With Luke, of all people. It’s so wrong.”
“Or so right. You’re not really going to go through with the wedding now, are you? The poor man is desperate. If you don’t at least give him a chance, you’ll always wonder about what might have been.”
“I can’t lose him as a friend.”
“Honey, I think you already have. If you marry Antonio, things won’t go back to normal between you and Luke. And what would Antonio say if he knew his wife was still hanging out with the man who tried to steal her away? That’s not fair to anyone involved.”
Brooke closed her eyes, willing her heart to stop constricting, her chest muscles to relax, her breathing to slow. In, out. In, out. Just breathe. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve mailed the save the dates. Ordered the cake. Picked out a wedding dress. Antonio doesn’t deserve this.” Her voice broke. “I don’t deserve him.”
“No, you don’t. You are way too good for him, and I really hope you figure that out before making the biggest mistake of your life. Because that’s exactly what Antonio is—a big, fat mistake. He’s an okay guy for someone else. But he’s not for you.” Zoey sat down in the chair Luke had occupied minutes before and opened the laptop. “Now, it gives me no pleasure to do this, but it’s time to do our jobs. Andi had a great time with Luke and would love a second date. What did he say?”
Brooke swallowed. “He wants to see her again too.”
It was agony to go over the date with Zoey. Andi appeared to have enjoyed herself as much as Luke had.
“It’s all for show,” Zoey assured Brooke as they finished up. “At least on Luke’s end. I can’t get a read on Andi quite yet. But she seems to feel more friend feelings for Luke than love feelings. I’ve gotta go meet another client, but try to not obsess, okay? I’m going to help you figure this thing out.”
Brooke nodded mutely and walked back to her desk. But she couldn’t help obsessing.
“Don’t do this to me.”
Brooke plugged her laptop in, trying to shake th
e conversation with Luke out of her head.
“I think the reason you aren’t willing to try is because you’re scared.”
Eight years ago, Luke had told her he wanted them to date. And she had told him no, that their friendship was worth more than a high school fling. Then he had moved on to other women, rather quickly in fact, and she’d been convinced she’d made the right decision. But they weren’t in high school anymore, and Luke was changing.
Brooke booted up her laptop and brought up Luke’s profile.
“You’re worried because as soon as you let yourself care that much, you are no longer in control. And you can’t stand the idea of giving another human being that much power over you.”
Brooke looked around to make sure she was alone. The cubicles next to hers and Zoey’s were all either empty, or the matchmakers were distracted by work.
Brooke stared at Luke’s profile picture, chewing on her lip. She hovered the pointer over run compatibility match and clicked. A screen popped up. Run match against database or specific client? it asked.
Brooke lightly tapped her index finger against the mouse. She was crazy to do this.
She had to know.
She clicked specific client. A new box popped up and the cursor blinked. Brooke glanced over her shoulder, then quickly typed Brooklyn Pierce.
Anther screen popped up. This file is frozen. Do you still wish to run compatibility match?
Brooke hit yes.
A progress bar appeared on the screen. Brooke watched as it slowly filled with green. One of the matchmaker’s laughed, and Brooke jumped. Her cheeks burned. How would she explain this if she was caught?
She was only doing it for her own peace of mind. Just because she and Luke were compatible as friends didn’t mean they were compatible as a couple. When the database proved that, she’d be able to put the whole thing out of her head forever and focus on Antonio.
Her heart twisted as she thought of him. She needed to come clean and tell him everything, and then they needed to go far away from Luke and focus on their new lives together. She closed her eyes against the pain.
The computer let out a chime. Brooke took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
Miss Match Page 19
