Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend

by Kerri Carpenter

  “Let’s walk all the way to the Lincoln,” Frankie said excitedly.

  “You’d think you’d never seen it before,” she said, amused at her friend who was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.

  “I feel like tonight’s special.”

  Lola stopped herself from rolling her eyes. “It started off with a crazy, smarmy man trying to grind up on me during a remix of a Katy Perry song. I don’t know how it can get better than that.”

  “Surprises happen every day.”

  They continued walking along the Reflecting Pool in silence. Lola was happy to see that Frankie had been right. Most of the tourists were gone for the day.

  They climbed the white marble steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Right before they reached the top, Lola turned around and took in the scene.

  The D.C. monuments at night.

  She sighed. This was how her parents had spent their first night together. Taking in the glittering lights and majestic beauty that distinguished Washington, D.C. from anywhere else in the world.

  How lucky her parents had been. Both of their lives had been cut short. But at least they’d found each other. All of those years together with the one you loved.

  Sadness fell over her like the warm breeze that was falling over the tree-lined streets.

  Luke said that he would be there for her. That she wasn’t alone. But in the end, she was alone. Utterly and completely alone.

  No boyfriend.

  No Luke.

  No family.

  That was the hardest part. Lola felt like she’d gotten a taste of something wonderful. Something she could really be a part of. Then it was stripped away from her.

  Not for the first time, she chastised herself. How could she be so stupid? So naive. So gullible.

  In the end, she couldn’t blame him fully. Not the way she wanted to. Because Lola got it. He’d shared his relationship and falling out with his father. She couldn’t even imagine having a parent who didn’t care, who left you at such a young age.

  Of course, Luke would have issues. She only wished that he’d let her help him with those issues instead of pushing her out. She’d been fully aware that what she’d said to him out on the curb in front of his mother’s house had been cruel. He needed to hear it, though. Maybe it would help. Maybe not.

  “Hey, what is that?”

  Lola looked behind her where Frankie was pointing. She didn’t see anything. “Where?”

  “Up there. On the top landing.”

  Lola walked up the last couple of steps. “I don’t see any…”

  Luke.

  Her heart stopped beating for a full second. Then it started up again, thumping wildly, moving double-time.

  She stood there. As motionless as the large statue of Abraham Lincoln towering over Luke.

  “Hi,” he said. He shoved his hands in his pockets, offered her a bashful grin.

  “Hey,” she said so softly, she wasn’t sure he’d heard her. But then he took a step forward. “What are you doing here?”

  Frankie coughed delicately behind her. Lola swung around and took in her best friend’s very guilty face.

  “You did this? You set this up?”

  “Guilty,” Frankie said with a shrug.

  Lola’s head was spinning. “But the club and going out tonight…”

  Frankie grinned. “All a ruse to get you out of the house.”

  She looked between her best friend and Luke. “You two have been talking?”

  “It took me days to wear her down,” Luke offered.

  Lola spun around again until her gaze connected with Frankie’s. Her best friend had moved down to the next landing, wearing a big grin on her face. She nodded and gave a thumbs-up. Then she retreated into the night, leaving her alone with Luke.

  Nerves threatened to overtake her. After what happened between them the week before at his mother’s house, she’d assumed she’d never see him again.

  “Hey,” she repeated.

  “Lola, I…that is, I mean, uh.” He shook his head. “I’m not doing a very good job here.”

  “You wanted to see me tonight?”

  “Yes. Actually, I wanted to see you every day for the last week.”

  “Why?”

  His harsh words came back to her.

  It’s not real.

  I feel nothing for Lola.

  She swallowed. Hard. Why on earth would he want to see her if those words were true. Unless…

  “I’m so sorry, Lola.”

  She didn’t want to get her hopes up. This could all be too good to be true.

  She took him in, from head to toe. Dark circles were under his eyes, and he needed to shave. He looked a mess. In fact, he seemed the least polished she’d seen him since they met.

  Was it possible he’d been feeling as crappy as she had all week? But those words…

  Lola bit her lip and considered. Maybe she would make him work for this a bit more.

  “What are you sorry for?”

  “Everything.” The word shot out from his mouth. “Christ, Lola, I can’t believe you overheard what I said to Oliver.”

  She frowned and angled away from him. They were at the top of the Lincoln Memorial. The view was spectacular from here. The whole National Mall was laid out before them. How many people came here, to this city, to this spot, with dreams and hopes and wishes?

  Well, she had dreams of her own. A husband, children, a family.

  Luke came into her life and gave her a brief glimpse into the future that she would give anything to get. Then he ripped it away before she could tell him how she was feeling.

  She faced him again. “I can’t believe you said that to Oliver.”

  “Lola,” he began, but stopped.

  “You never really know what’s going on in another person’s mind, I guess. But I was getting the impression that things were a certain way between us. Or, at least, headed in a certain direction.”

  He closed the distance between them, took her hands in his. Having him this close, being able to soak in that special Luke smell, defeated her senses. She let him hold onto her.

  “We were headed in that direction.” He squeezed her fingers tightly to emphasize his words.

  “But what you said was so mean, so hurtful.”

  “And so very untrue.”

  She gasped. “What? Then why did you say it?”

  “Because I’m a dick. Because my best friend, who I’ve known for a million years, knows exactly how to get under my skin. Oliver could see how I was falling for you. So he was goading me.” He took a moment. “I have issues, Lola. Deep-rooted issues tied to my dad. I recognize that now. I took out my issues on you.”

  Her heart hurt for him. “I understand why you’re scared, Luke. I really do.” She took a deep breath. “I know I said something really hurtful to you, too. I’m sorry.”

  “You were right.”

  His words shocked her.

  “What?” she said on a strangled laugh.

  “You were right. I was acting like my dad. I found myself getting close to you, and it scared me, so I ran. But I’m not running anymore.”

  No, he wasn’t. He was standing with her, holding her hands tightly, and begging her to… What?

  “What are you saying, Luke?”

  “That I’m sorry and that I want to be with you. In such a short time, you’ve come to mean so much to me, Lola.”

  “Oh, Luke, you mean so much to me, too.”

  Then he kissed her. Feeling his mouth against hers again erased all of the angst and turmoil she’d been dealing with that week. She twined her arms around his shoulders, and his wrapped around her back, pulling her even closer.

  Their mouths fused together for what seemed like hours. But she couldn’t get enough of his taste, his smell, his touch. When the kiss ended, they stayed entwined and both broke out into huge grins.

  “I can’t believe we just did that here,” Lola said.

  “Hey, if I want to kiss my girlfriend i
n public, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “Your super-secret, pretend girlfriend?” She winked.

  He shook his head. “Nope, not anymore. My very real, super-amazing girlfriend.”

  Her heart felt like it was full to bursting. It couldn’t be fair for one person to feel this happy.

  She tilted her head and nodded in the direction of the Reflecting Pool. The Washington Monument stood tall in the background, surrounded by flags. The dome of the Capitol sat beyond that. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “What was it that your parents said? Everyone should see the monuments at night…”

  “With someone you love,” she finished. As soon as the words left her mouth, she slapped a hand to it.

  Luke nodded and pulled her to him. “Yes, Lola. I love you.”

  “You do?” She felt the tears stinging the back of her eyes.

  “Oh yeah.”

  Now she let the tears fall. “That’s really great, because I love you, too.”

  They stayed right where they were the entire night. They watched the glittering display of the historic monuments as they talked for hours on end. The full moon shone in the Reflecting Pool, offering a light.

  And they talked and talked, not stopping until they realized it was morning. Then they watched the sunrise over the nation’s capital.

  “I like seeing the sunrise with you.”

  “Then get used to it. There’s going to be a lot more of them.”

  He grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers, and brought it to his lips for a kiss. Then they rose and walked down the white marble steps, headed toward their new future together, which was just as shiny as the monuments at night.

  Epilogue

  “Picture it…Sicily, 1922.”

  -Sophia Petrillo

  “Another reunion.”

  Lola smiled. She could practically hear the ughhhhhh emanating from Luke’s words.

  She squeezed the hand she was holding and stopped outside of her apartment door. “It’s not that bad.”

  “It’s my family.”

  “I happen to like the whole Erickson clan, and I’m looking forward to another shindig tomorrow.”

  He pulled her in for a quick kiss. “Are you sure you’re not sick of us yet?”

  Tilting her head from left to right, Lola pretended to consider the question. “Your family’s great. You, on the other hand…”

  “Hey, didn’t I just take you out to a nice anniversary dinner? I’m a great guy.” He leaned toward her and whispered, “And still the hottest guy you’ve ever seen.”

  That was for damn sure. Lola could barely believe they’d known each other for an entire year. Three hundred and sixty-five days of being with a gorgeous, intelligent, funny, sweet, incredibly sexy, no-longer-fake, but totally real, boyfriend.

  It was too good to be true.

  And a boyfriend who had insisted on taking her for a one-year anniversary dinner tonight. How romantic was that?

  “Your looks are okay, but I’m really using you for your body.”

  Luke faked a shocked expression. “I knew it.”

  She laughed. “Seriously, though, dinner was great. Now,” she continued winding her arms around his neck, “why don’t we go inside for a little dessert? Frankie said she would be out late tonight.”

  “Well, actually—”

  She cut him off by pressing her mouth to his. What she’d meant to keep light and fun quickly turned passionate. Like it always did with them.

  Minutes later, they broke apart, panting. She wiped a finger over his lips, removing her lipstick. She noticed he sent a text and wondered who in the world he could be texting at this particular moment.

  Luke took her key from her and unlocked the door. Then he stepped back and gestured for her to go in first.

  Lola pushed open the door and crossed the threshold. She reached for the lamp that they kept on a table next to the door and turned it on.

  “Surprise!”

  Surprise was right. She fumbled backward as people jumped out from every available space in the small apartment.

  “What the…?”

  Her eyes darted from one side to the next, taking in all of the people. Frankie was there, and it looked like most of the bocce girls. Luke’s mom was beaming as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen. Mia, Winnie, and Gwen were all throwing confetti. A large sign strung above the couch read Happy Anniversary!

  “Luke!” she exclaimed. “Did you do all of this for me?”

  He shoved a hand through his hair, hair that was slightly longer than when she’d met him last year. “Well, I had some help.”

  “No need to thank me, Lo.” Frankie bounced across the room and threw her arms around Lola. “Happy one year anniversary, bestie.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” Good thing so many people were hugging and congratulating her. She didn’t really have time to speak.

  When the excitement started to die down, Lola noticed a table set up with an array of different colored cupcakes. Surely, Mia had baked them. She couldn’t wait to taste one.

  There were also drinks and cookies and chips. All the essential food groups.

  Crossing to Luke, who was talking to Oliver, she grabbed him and kissed him firmly. “Thank you so much for all of this, but I thought we were being low-key for our anniversary.”

  He hugged her tightly. “You deserve so much more than low-key. Besides, do you think my mom and sisters would really let this momentous occasion go by without a celebration?”

  She grinned. Over the last year, she’d become so close with Luke’s mom and sisters.

  “Like it or not, you’re family now,” Winnie said.

  Lola’s heart felt like it could burst from her chest any minute. Joyful tears threatened, but she was able to hold them at bay.

  She had a family again.

  “There’s something else,” Luke said and nodded at Frankie, who smiled and then vanished from the living room.

  “What else could there be? This is more than I could have hoped for.”

  “Don’t speak so soon.”

  Lola turned at her roommate’s voice. She was about to ask what Frankie meant, but the words froze in her throat as she noticed that Frankie was carrying something small and fuzzy in her arms. When the ball of fur started wriggling, Lola realized that Frankie held a dog.

  Not just a dog. A puppy.

  “Oh. My. God. A puppy,” she squealed.

  She ran to Frankie, arms wide open. Frankie put the tan puppy in her arms. The dog settled down immediately. His little pink tongue darted out of his mouth and licked her. “Ohhh, he’s so sweet.” He had a light brown nose and what appeared to be greenish eyes. He definitely had some poodle in him, but she wondered what else.

  “Whose dog is this?” she asked the room at large.

  Luke stepped up behind her. “Yours, if you’ll have her. It’s a girl.”

  “Mine?” She looked down at the puppy’s adorable face and fell in love instantly. “I can’t believe…oh. I can’t believe you did this,” she said with a sad voice. “We can’t have a dog here.”

  Her heart fell. She snuggled the puppy to her chest.

  The room seemed to grow extra quiet. There was definitely something in the air. Lola glanced around, wondering what she was missing. “What’s going on?”

  Luke nodded at Frankie again.

  “Do you like her collar?” Frankie asked.

  What a weird question to ask at this moment. “Yeah, it’s great.” Lola quickly glanced down at the pink and white polka dot collar. Then she did a double-take. “What is this?” She wrapped her fingers around a gold key that was latched onto the collar.

  “It’s the key to my place,” Luke announced. “To, um, our place.”

  “Our place?”

  “If you’ll have me, because I would really love for you and our new puppy to move in with me.”

  Lola could barely believe what she was hearing. She locked eyes with
Frankie who grinned and mouthed It’s okay. Then she saw that Luke’s family was all smiles. Her friends were watching her with excitement on their faces.

  The puppy let out a little arf. That was all she needed to hear.

  “Yes,” she said.

  Luke let out a whoop and picked her and the puppy up and twirled them around. The room exploded into applause.

  Later, much later, when the party began to die down, Lola found herself alone in a corner with her new roommate. Luke rubbed a hand over the puppy’s back, ruffling her fur. Lola placed a kiss on her head.

  “Happy?”

  More than she’d been in a long, long time. She had an amazing boyfriend, a family, a brand-new puppy, and a life that she couldn’t wait to start living.

  “Very.” She kissed him. “You really turned out to be the best pretend boyfriend.”

  He kissed her back. “Good. I hope to be the last.”

  …

  Kennedy High School

  15-Year Reunion Roundup

  What have the Bobcat alums been up to over the last five years?

  Luke Erickson

  Current Residence: Arlington, VA

  Career: Architect

  Spouse: Lola McBride Erickson

  Pastimes: Rogue bocce league and hanging with family

  Kids: Twin daughters, Rose & Sophia

  Pets: Two dogs, Blanche & Dorothy

  Quote: “The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.” –Rose Nylund

  Did you love this Lovestruck? Check out more of our satisfying titles here!

  Don’t miss another book by Kerri Carpenter! Sign up for our newsletter here!

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank the entire team at Entangled Publishing for all their hard work and long hours, especially my editor Alethea Spiridon who has been so amazingly supportive. Of course, I send glittery kisses to my agent. Nic, I love you!

  A big shout-out to my real-life rogue bocce team: Julie, Trina, Ashling, Ginnie, Victoria, Mikaela, Nikki, Kristin, and Max, Maura and Eleanor, too. Go Team A or B or 1 or 2 or Ikea or Christmas! Thanks for welcoming me into the group and for adding some fun to my summers!

  A huge thank you to my family and friends. To my fur-baby Harry, I can’t imagine writing a book without you sleeping under my desk, or, on occasion, lounging across my laptop.