Molly (Perfect Match Book 3)

by Julie Jarnagin

  When she’d been in the airport a few days ago, she’d stayed on the outside of the security line for as long as she could, hoping maybe he’d come to stop her, to at least say goodbye, but he hadn’t come. She’d tried to call him, but he hadn’t answered. What hurt worse than anything was that her mistake had cost her his love. How could she blame him? She’d let him down.

  Her time with Sean had taught her that she could choose to live her life however she wanted. She’d had enough of living to please everyone else—her father, her editor, Cody… Had she ever truly been herself around any of them?

  She heard Elaine coming down the hall, her stilettos clicking like only Elaine’s did. Molly turned around, and Elaine appeared in the doorway.

  “Molly, darling,” she said, glancing around the room. “I see that you’re getting moved into your new office. It’s well deserved.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity.”

  Elaine smoothed out her designer pencil skirt. “Your article is wonderful, but I do have a few notes before we go to press.”

  Her shoulders tightened. “Oh, okay. What kind of notes?” It had already gone to the copy editor, and the issue would be going to press soon.

  “The ending, darling. I think you left it a little too obtuse. I think our readers want to see a happy ending. Come to my office; bring a copy of the article. We’ll talk more.”

  She nodded, but her stomach sank as Elaine walked back out. How could the story have a happy ending when Sean wouldn’t even talk to her? Would she ever be good enough to please Elaine? She’d done her best on the article. Molly would try to meet Elaine’s needs, but she was done letting her worth get so caught up in what Elaine or anyone else thought of her.

  Molly sat in her office chair, opened the computer file, and printed two copies, one for herself and one for Elaine. She picked the papers up off the printer, and her eyes scanned down to the last paragraph.

  Where do Sean and I stand now? Our week together was magical. Will our relationship sustain the distance between us and the vastly different lives we lead? I’d never hoped for anything more, but I’ve learned there are no guarantees in life. When I started this process, I thought the idea of using a dating site was crazy, but I’ve learned that the hope of finding true love is worth any risk. It’s worth putting your heart on the line, even without knowing if you will endure heartbreak or if you’ll find a safe place to fall.

  A lump formed in her throat, and she fought to swallow it. She didn’t want to let Sean slip away, but what could she do?

  “Molly, darling?” she heard Elaine shout from down the hall. “Are you coming?”

  She blinked back the tears, stood, and carried the copies of her article and a red pen she was sure Elaine would want to use.

  In the corner office, she walked through the doorway to find the back of a familiar head—hair, bleached out from the sun, and those broad shoulders she would recognize anywhere.

  She gasped. “Sean?”

  He turned, and that same lazy smile spread across his lips. “Molly.”

  Elaine sat behind her desk, her legs crossed. “I found him wandering around in the lobby like a lost puppy.”

  He shot Elaine a reprimanding look.

  Molly wrapped her arms around him, not caring that her boss was in the room. His hands felt warm against her back as he pulled her close. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you leave with things unresolved like that. I came to the airport, but I was too late.”

  “I tried to call you,” she said, still trying to make sense of the fact he was here, standing in front of her.

  “I had to get a new number because the reporters found my old one.”

  Her heart ached. What had Sean and his brother been through the last few days?

  Elaine stood and walked around the desk. “If you want to rewrite the end of your article, I’ll need it on my desk by nine a.m. tomorrow.” With that, she winked at them and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  Sean looked into Molly’s eyes. “I couldn’t let you disappear from my life.”

  “What about the distance? What about your brother? What about what I did?”

  “It wasn’t your fault. I was dealing with my own issues with trusting people, and my brother helped me see that I was just scared. We can get through this.” He leaned back and brushed her hair away from her face in a gesture that made everything tingle. “I’m in love with you, Molly. I don’t care who knows.”

  The words rushed through her, filling her with warmth and the joy she’d been missing since she’d left the island. “I love you too, Sean.”

  With that, he tipped her face up toward his and pressed his lips to hers. Warmth spreading through her, she touched his face, wanting to make sure it was real—that she wasn’t dreaming. But she knew for certain that this was true, unconditional love.

  ****

  Six months later, Sean carried a cardboard box across Molly’s tiny New York City apartment. What different lives they’d lived up to now. Her in this crowded city surrounded by the hubbub of New York life. Him in his little shack on the beach, away from everything. Being here reminded him of all she’d achieved.

  She stepped into the room from the kitchen, and he froze and lifted his eyebrows. “How many books can one person have in such a small space?”

  She took the box from him and set it by the door. “I need my books.” She picked up a magazine from the top of the pile. “And look, this is my last issue as the relationship editor.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You sure about this. What about all your hard work?” They’d made long distance work, but he wanted nothing more than for them to be closer to each other.

  She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ve never been surer about anything in my whole life. I think I’ll like writing for Gloss and Glitter as a freelancer. On my own terms. I spent too much time trying to please everyone else. Now, I’m ready to follow my heart.”

  Together, they were both starting new adventures. Sean had quit his job at the hotel and was opening his own surf school. Jonas had helped him scout locations and get everything set up. He’d seemed happier since the truth had gotten out. The reporters were annoying, but with Sean and Jonas staying on the island, at least the paparazzi weren’t in their faces all the time.

  The room rattled as the neighbors upstairs stomped around. Molly looked at the ceiling. “I can’t wait to get back to the island so I can relax.”

  He came over and wrapped his arms around her. “Me neither, and this weekend, I have a surprise for you.”

  Her face brightened. “Really? What is it?”

  “Let’s just say, you’re going to be extra relaxed.”

  She gave him a knowing smile. “Oh, I bet I can guess what it is. Don’t forget, you can’t keep secrets from me.”

  Sure. She could figure out that he’d planned a day at the spa, just the two of them, just like the first week they met. But she didn’t know about the diamond ring he’d picked out while he was in New York. She didn’t know that when they took a walk down the same beach where they’d watched the wedding reception, he was going to get on one knee in the sand and ask her to be his forever.

  He leaned in close. “Okay. After this, no secrets.”

  She stood on her tiptoes to plant a peck on his lips, but he pressed his palm against her back and pulled her in for a longer, deeper kiss.

  When he loosened his hold of her, she smiled. “You’re full of surprises.”

  “Life is full of surprises,” he said with a laugh. “But I promise to love you through all of them.”

  He kissed her again, knowing that they could take on anything together.

  #

  Julie Jarnagin is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and ranched. These days she lives in Louisiana with her husband and two young sons who tolerate
all her nerdy quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma. Sign up for Julie’s newsletter to receive a free novella and be the first to find out about book releases, cover reveals, and other news. www.JulieJarnagin.com/connect

  Thanks for reading Molly’s story!

  Jades’s book is next.

  You’ll find a Sneak Peek in the Excerpt.

  Find all the Perfect Match books at Amazon!

  BREE (Raine English)

  MARNI (Aileen Fish)

  MOLLY (Julie Jarnagin)

  JADE (Rachelle Ayala)

  AVA (Denise Devine)

  MAEVE (Josie Riviera)

  For more fun and romance, be sure to read the Beach Brides series, the inspiration for Perfect Match. It involves twelve friends who decide to meet on a Caribbean island. As a silly dare during her last night there, each heroine decides to stuff a note in a bottle addressed to her “dream hero” and cast it out to sea.

  Find the Beach Brides at Amazon!

  Excerpt Copyright Information

  Prologue and Chapter One from

  Jade (Perfect Match Series) by Rachelle Ayala

  Copyright © 2018 Rachelle Ayala

  Jade

  Perfect Match Series

  by

  Rachelle Ayala

  Prologue

  Jade’s Perfect Match Dating Profile

  Miss PITA, Age 25

  “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra

  Let’s cut to the chase. Most online match profiles are untrue and lame. Everyone is outgoing, a great cook, loves to hike, and yogas themselves into a pretzel on a regular basis.

  As if you care.

  Me? I’m difficult, entitled, spoiled, and did I say I hate cats? I’m not the type of woman you bring home to mom, I can’t fix stupid, and I most definitely don’t do boring.

  Why should you pick my profile?

  Easy.

  If you’re looking for a soulmate, don’t look at me. If you’re hoping for the love of your life, keep swiping. But if you’re as sick of dating and relating as I am, then maybe you’re the partner I’m NOT looking for.

  Chapter One

  “Who cares if you don’t believe in love?” Jade Reed’s bestie, Dani Davison, stabbed her gelled and jeweled fingernail tips at the touchscreen. “This is a once in a lifetime chance for a Perfect Match.”

  The cursor blinked over the tempting offer.

  A week in paradise on a tropical island of your choice. Compliments of Perfect Match Dating Agency. Click to Accept.

  “There’s got to be a catch.” Jade squinted at the tiny “Terms and Conditions” link.

  “Of course, there’s a catch,” Dani said. “Try six-feet-four inches of hunky man for a week of fine dining, adventure, and romance.”

  “Sounds too good to be true.” Jade clicked on the “Terms and Conditions” link. She was a bestselling romance author, and she wasn’t born yesterday. Offers like this came with a hook. “Is it a reality show?”

  “Nope. A simple promo, free and clear. Spend a week with the match of their choice. No strings attached. No engagement necessary. No happily ever after. Not even a happily for now.” Dani read in the fast-paced robotic voice of a commercial announcer.

  She was, after all, a voiceover artist who read audiobooks, and one of the authors she worked with, Jenna Ford, gifted the Perfect Match invitation to her as part of a promotional deal.

  Except, Dani was happily engaged to the love of her life, and Jade was unhappily betrayed by her nasty, rotten ex-fiancé, may he never rest in peace for his thieving ways.

  “Seriously? A free vacation anywhere in the world?” Jade’s interest perked as she scanned the fine print.

  “Absolutely,” Dani said. “All you have to do is put up with a man for a week, and then you can do all the research you want for a new tropical island series.”

  “It doesn’t say it has to be a man. Just a perfect match. How do they determine the match?” Jade’s agile mind started doing cartwheels. She might be a romance writer, but she was off the romance plantation in her private life.

  One big humiliation was enough.

  No one but Dani knew the real reason she’d called off her wedding, and Keith Kirkland, may his heart be pierced with a thousand darts, held a big secret over her.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Dani’s face stretched into a thousand-mile grin.

  “Oh yes, I am,” Jade said. “Think margaritas by the pool, binge-watching rom-coms all night, shopping till we drop, makeovers, spas and nail treatments, bling and rings, and tropical island male strippers. After all, it really is your invite.”

  “True, but I can’t redeem it, or Stephen will be jealous.” Dani licked her lips. “Although, it’ll be the ultimate bachelorette party for two.”

  Jade raised her hand for a high-five. “Let’s do it. You fill out your profile and I’ll fill out mine.”

  “How the heck do we make sure we’re each other’s Perfect Match?” Dani asked, twirling her long, brown hair.

  “Not a problem,” Jade said. “I am, after all, a fiction writer. I’ll make myself so odious and unattractive, no real man would pick me.”

  “You never know.” Dani dangled a twist of a smile.

  True. The thought had crossed Jade’s mind that any man who would choose her profile would be a mental case—either that, or a highly confident man who thrived on challenge. Like the heroes she wrote about. Conquerors who never gave up. Who knew what they wanted—her—and made sure she knew it, too. Determined, passionate, and very, very male.

  Nah, no one would rise to the challenge, even for a free tropical vacation. She’d have Dani’s company, rest and relaxation.

  “Let’s do it,” she said, clicking to redeem the Perfect Match invitation.

  ****

  Navy SEAL Aiden Lin stuffed the dog-eared paperback into his flak jacket as the taxi pulled up to the curb in front of the cramped Chinatown apartment on top of his mother’s souvenir shop.

  His one-month vacation was heaven-sent, especially since he’d just gotten out of a grueling mission deep in enemy territory. While his buddies jetted off to exotic locations or into the arms of adoring girlfriends and wives, Aiden looked forward to a long, relaxing break. He’d help his mother mind the store while binge reading Keith Kirkland’s latest spy thriller series.

  Maybe he’d even type up a few paragraphs of a spy thriller he’d dreamed up while trekking through hostile territory.

  Aiden ascended the narrow stairway behind the storefront and ducked under the lucky streamers and red and gold banners his mother put up every Chinese New Year.

  A dog banner hung over a rooster over a monkey over whatever was the lucky animal of the year before.

  His mother never threw anything away.

  “Mama, I’m home,” Aiden’s deep voice reverberated through the tiny apartment.

  “Aiden!” Mama threaded her way between the piles of boxes and crates stacked on every flat surface available. “You’re looking so skinny. Not enough to eat. Come. I’ll fix you something.”

  Aiden looked around for a place to drop his duffel bag, gave up, and squeezed his way to the kitchen. He was always hungry, and he couldn’t wait for his mother to fire up her big, black wok.

  “What are your plans?” Aiden’s sister, Cherie, looked up from a pile of bean sprouts she was cleaning. She was a newlywed and expecting her first child, which would go far in taking the pressure off Aiden to have children.

  “Nothing whatsoever,” Aiden said. “Help Mama in the store, eat Chinese food, go to kung fu, and maybe do a little writing.”

  A strange look passed between Cherie and Mama.

  “What’s going on?” Aiden felt an uneasy tingle niggle the base of his neck.

  “Oh, nothing,” Cherie said. “It’s such a waste of leave to sit around here doing nothing.”

  “You should write.” Mama shook the spatula. “You’re g
etting older. After you leave the Navy, what kind of woman will marry you if you’re not a bestselling author?”

  “Mama, you’re getting way ahead of yourself,” Aiden said. “One thing at a time. I’m not leaving the Navy, and I’m not getting married.”

  “You’re the eldest son,” Mama reminded him. “Ever since Baba died, I’ve been praying you would get married to carry on the family name. You make your Mama worry too much with all the wars you’re going to. Settle down, like Cherie here.”

  Getting married and even getting pregnant hadn’t stopped Cherie from making her last skydive. But arguing with Mama was like waving a red banner in front of a bull.

  Aiden, too, was like a bull—stubborn. “I’m not going on a date. If you two set me up with anyone, forget about it. I’m looking forward to doing absolutely nothing.”

  Again, Mama and Cherie eyed each other, as if each one urged the other to speak out.

  “Okay, you two, spit it out.” Aiden crossed his bulging arms and stood his ground, squarely in the center of the cramped kitchen.

  “It’s too good to pass up,” Mama said.

  “Right, and you’re actually a winner,” Cherie added. “A wonderful prize.”

  “Nothing we could ever afford.” Mama rubbed her fingers and thumb together.

  “I’ve already accepted for you.” Cherie wiped her hands on a towel and strode from the kitchen.

  “I’m not going on a date!” Aiden roared after his troublemaking sister.

  “Wait until you see what it is,” Mama chimed in. “It’ll be good for your writing.”

  “Ta da!” Cherie came back to the kitchen and waved a colorful envelope. “A free tropical vacation.”

  “But, but, you can use the money for the store,” Aiden said. “I can’t take it.”