Never Say Match (No Match for Love Book 9)

by Lindzee Armstrong

  The only way this could end was in failure.

  “What are you saying?” Cassidy asked. She abandoned the spatula to the frosting, no longer even trying to keep up the pretense of working.

  Jase took a slow step forward. Cassidy held her breath, his body heat filtering through the inches between them and warming her skin. Slowly, his head lowered toward hers. “What do you want me to say?” he breathed.

  She ducked down, shaking her head quickly back and forth as she escaped to the opposite side of the counter. “Oh no. That’s not how this works. I’ve been in that one-sided relationship, and I’m not about to do it again.”

  Jase ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight. “That’s not what I meant.”

  The ringing of a phone interrupted the conversation. Jase fumbled in his pocket while Cassidy cleared her throat and returned to the frosting. What was she doing? After next week, he’d go back to his life, and she’d go back to hers.

  “Hello?” Jase’s brow furrowed into a line as he listened to the other end of a call.

  Cassidy pulled a cake round out of the freezer and set it on the tray to dirty ice. Whoever was on the other end of the phone, Jase didn’t seem too happy about it.

  “That wasn’t our original agreement… You’re sure nothing can be done? Yeah, I understand. Yes. I said I’ll be there.” He shoved the phone back in his pocket, chest heaving and face flushed.

  “Is everything okay?” Cassidy asked.

  “That was my mother. She’s scheduled my flight home.”

  The words hung between them like an undetonated bomb. Cassidy blinked, hoping Jase wouldn’t see the tears forming in her eyes. She focused on the cake, carefully smoothing butter cream over its surface.

  “Oh,” she said. “Okay. When do you leave?”

  Jase ran a hand through his hair, then put both hands on his waist. He stared at her, his gaze unreadable. “Three days.”

  Three days. Cassidy’s heart ached at the realization that this really was ending.

  But he’d said Oklahoma felt like home. Maybe that meant something.

  Maybe he’d be back.

  Jase rested his hand on Cassidy’s and gently pried open her fingers. She dropped the spreader on the table and turned in his arms.

  “Three days isn’t very long,” Jase said softly.

  Ask him to stay! Cassidy’s mind screamed. But she couldn’t do that to Jase. They barely knew each other. He had a life. A career. And so did she. It was bad luck that the two weren’t compatible.

  “Then let’s make the most of them,” Cassidy said, her voice catching.

  Jase kissed her softly on the forehead, then wrapped her in a tight embrace. Cassidy closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. She couldn’t believe this was going to end.

  “We’ll figure something out,” Jase said, his tone a little gruff. “I’m not letting you go that easily, Cassidy Erickson.”

  She wanted to believe him. Cassidy pulled away and cleared her throat. She picked up the spreader and began icing the cake again.

  “So, how do we decorate this cake?” Jase asked.

  “Watch and learn, cowboy.”

  Cassidy would enjoy these last three days. And then, despite Jase’s promise, she’d kiss him goodbye and not look back. It would be easier for both of them than the drawn-out breakup of a long-term relationship.

  Her heart couldn’t handle another actor.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Jase tossed in his bunk, throwing off the covers. He could hear the chirp of crickets outside the bunkhouse window, and the muggy air had turned stifling. The Fourth of July was right around the corner, and Cassidy had told him the temperatures would only continue to climb. Too bad he wouldn’t be around to see for himself.

  Cassidy. When she’d called to cancel their date, it hadn’t taken long to figure out his next move. Jase had thoroughly enjoyed their time in the bakery, right up until that phone call that brought reality crashing down around him.

  Three days. Three days, and he’d go back to his life in California as an actor. He’d been seriously considering staying before that phone call. Buying the ranch bordering the Erickson’s and giving up acting.

  But that would be insane. He’d known Cassidy for less than a month. He’d been working as an actor for his entire life.

  Jase would keep his commitment to this next movie. Maybe discovering a love for country living would add an authenticity to the role—that special something that would finally earn him an Oscar win instead of just a nomination. He’d talk to Cassidy tomorrow and see how she felt about giving long distance a try. They hadn’t talked about what would happen when he left, but they were out of time to avoid the discussion. She could fly out to visit him on long weekends, and he could come back to Sunset Plains between films. They needed time to explore their relationship, and Jase would figure out a way to give them that much at least.

  Because Cassidy belonged in Oklahoma, with her bakery and her family and the ranch. And Jase was born to be a Hollywood actor. He was like seventy percent sure of that.

  The problem was that Jase wasn’t sure if it was acting he hated, or the Hollywood lifestyle. Did he have to give up one to have the other? And was he allowing his feelings for Cassidy to blind him to the choice he should make?

  Jase went through his morning chores with bleary eyes and slow motions. He took extra care with Cupcake. Darn his mother and her obsessive need to control his life. What he wouldn’t give for three more months in Sunset Plains with Cassidy, like he’d originally planned, instead of three days. He’d barely scratched the surface of ranch life, and he wanted to keep digging. To spend his days riding the range and his evenings kissing Cassidy.

  Maybe buying the ranch wasn’t an awful idea. He could live in Oklahoma in between roles. Tons of actors had vacation homes in places other than California.

  That night after dinner, Jase invited Cassidy on a walk. Moments later, they were crossing the yard and headed toward the pasture, where Cupcake and Brownie grazed.

  Cassidy sidled up to the railing, and soon Cupcake pranced over, her white-and-brown coat gleaming in the setting sun.

  “I missed you today,” Jase said softly.

  Cassidy reached into her pocket and extracted a few sugar cubes, which Cupcake eagerly lapped up. “Are you talking to me or the horse?”

  Jase leaned on the railing and looked up at Cassidy. “You, of course. Although I’m going to miss the horses when I’m gone, too.”

  Cassidy brushed her hands along her jeans and leaned back against the railing. Cupcake, seeming to sense the end of the treats, pranced away to rejoin the other horses. “Maybe you can find a stable in Los Angeles and stable a horse there. Shawn might have some ideas of where to look. He doesn’t ride much anymore because of his leg, but I remember him mentioning he was going to take Natalie riding when she came to visit.”

  “Maybe I can visit Sunset Plains and ride Brownie.”

  Cassidy blinked quickly, and he caught the sparkle of tears. She played with the end of her braid and scuffed the toe of her boot into the soft dirt. “We both know that’s impractical.”

  Jase pushed off the fence and stood in front of her, arms folded. “Why?”

  “We come from two different worlds.”

  He placed his hands on either side of the fence, trapping her in his arms. She bit one lip and blinked rapidly. “That doesn’t mean we can’t mesh them together. Can’t we at least try?”

  “I … I don’t know,” she stammered.

  Jase placed a hand gently beneath her chin and tipped her face toward his. “I’m not ready to say goodbye,” he whispered.

  Her hands rested on his shoulders, sending tendrils of heat licking across his skin. “Then let’s not say goodbye. Let’s just enjoy these last two days.”

  Jase lowered his lips to her. He intended to make those days count.

  * * *

  Jase and Cassidy spent every spare moment together over the next two days. Jase desperately
wished he could somehow freeze time, but it kept marching mercilessly on.

  On his last day at the ranch, Jase was torn between savoring each moment of this experience and rushing through his chores so he could spend more time with Cassidy. As Jase dismounted in the barn after a long day on the range, he realized his muscles weren’t sore. He patted Brownie on the neck, the bittersweet taste of an ending before him.

  As Jase brushed out Brownie’s deep brown coat, he realized that tomorrow would be spent on a plane instead of riding. His stomach churned, a physical pain that made him want to lock himself in a room and cry. Brownie snorted and tossed his head impatiently. Jase patted the horse on the neck and whispered softly, “I’m going to miss you, boy.”

  Brownie snorted again, but allowed the affection. Jase gave the horse a pat on the rump, letting him know they were done. As Brownie walked out into the pasture, Jase picked up the saddle and stored it in the tack room. Mason followed a few minutes behind with his own saddle and brush.

  “Good work today,” Mason said, dropping the saddle on the hook.

  “Thanks,” Jase said.

  “I think we’re done here if you want to head out.”

  Jase pulled out his phone and glanced at the time, conflicting emotions flowing through him. “Already? It’s only four o’clock.” In the four weeks he’d been on the ranch, they’d never stopped working before five. But he wouldn’t say no to more time spent with Cassidy, even if he would miss helping out around Star Ranch.

  “It’s a slow day, and I’m sure you’ve got packing to finish up.” Mason held out a hand, his battered cowboy hat pulled low over his face. “It was a pleasure working with you, Jase. I hope the movie goes well.”

  The lighting in the tack room was dim, but Jase thought he saw a grudging respect on Mason’s face. The words certainly sounded sincere.

  Jase gave him a firm handshake, gratitude for his teacher flowing through him. “Thanks for everything, Mason. I mean that.”

  “Don’t mention it,” Mason said gruffly. “You’re welcome back here anytime.”

  As Jase walked out of the barn, he hoped Mason meant what he’d said. Leaving Sunset Plains felt like leaving behind a part of his soul. He took off his cowboy hat and wiped at his sweaty forehead as he entered the bunkhouse. Cassidy had teased him just last night that the hat was finally starting to look dirty enough to belong to a real cowboy.

  An ache filled Jase’s chest. As soon as he showered, he’d head to the cupcake shop and help Cassidy out until closing. He’d stay up all night talking to her if she’d let him.

  Jase showered and dressed in record time. He grabbed the keys to his rental car and headed outside, whistling a tune he’d learned from Mason. Maybe Cassidy would have some of her red velvet cupcakes left for him to buy. He imagined smearing the cream cheese frosting on her nose, then kissing it off. He would miss her so much.

  Jase rounded the corner of the bunkhouse and came to a halt, staring at his car. A tall man in expensive jeans and a v-neck shirt leaned against it, looking smug.

  Seth.

  Jase took a cautious step forward. What in the world was Seth doing in Sunset Plains?

  The crunch of gravel alerted Seth to Jase’s presence and he looked up. Seth grinned and pushed himself off the car. His smile had always been too wide, and he’d whitened his teeth to a shade beyond natural. Fake. That was the word that always came to mind when Jase ran into Seth Harrington.

  “Hey, man.” Seth held out a hand and brought Jase in, clapping him on the back. “Good to see you again.”

  “I’d call it more of a surprise.” Jase quickly pulled away and shoved his hands in his pockets. From their first day together on set, something about Seth had set Jase on edge. He’d never liked the up-and-coming actor, but he’d also never been outright hostile toward him. Jase had pushed his personal feelings aside, and they’d maintained a good working relationship while on set. Apparently Seth had mistaken that for friendship—at least, that’s what he’d told the papers.

  But Jase didn’t think he could maintain his civility this time around. Not after seeing how much Seth had hurt Cassidy. How he’d damaged her ability to trust others. Seth had been an invisible cloud hanging over Jase and Cassidy’s relationship from the moment they first met, and Jase hated Seth for that.

  “I hope it’s a good surprise,” Seth said. Had he waxed his eyebrows? Now that Jase had noticed their unnatural shape, he couldn’t stop staring.

  “I guess that remains to be seen. What are you doing here?”

  Seth lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I was visiting family in Tulsa before filming starts and heard you were at my old stomping grounds. Thought I’d drop by, for old time’s sake.”

  Jase folded his arms, staring Seth down. He squirmed like a bug underneath a magnifying glass, looking everywhere but at Jase.

  “Sure. Old time’s sake,” Jase said. “I usually drive two hours out of my way to talk to coworkers I’ll see in a few days.”

  Seth scratched the back of his neck. “Your mother might have called and mentioned we were on the same flight out tomorrow. She asked me to make sure you were on it.”

  Fury burned hot and fast within Jase—an anger so intense he could taste it. “My mother should mind her own business.”

  “Come on, man. She’s just worried about you. Said something about how you might be experiencing burnout.”

  Jase was in no mood to listen to Seth make excuses for Jase’s mother. She didn’t care that lately, acting felt a lot like drowning. Was unconcerned by the soul-crushing weariness that Jase couldn’t seem to shake. All she cared about was parading him around in the press and selling tickets at the box office. “Does Cassidy know you’re here?”

  Seth folded his arms and shifted uncomfortably. “She told you about me?”

  “Cassidy and I have grown close over the last few weeks.” And seeing Seth again would hurt her. Maybe set back all the progress Jase had seen her make over the past month. She’d slowly been coming out of her shell. He’d watched as she laughed, let herself be vulnerable, and started to trust again.

  And Seth’s arrival was going to ruin everything.

  A cruel grin pulled at the corners of Seth’s mouth. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Cassidy always did have a way with men. Be careful with that one—she’ll do anything to keep you in a relationship once it starts.”

  Jase curled his hands into fists. It would feel so good to plow one of them into Seth’s mouth. “That’s not how I hear it.”

  Seth shrugged and pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his pocket, slipping them on. “Well, women always do try and spin things in their favor. Grab your stuff and let’s go. We’re already pushing it to avoid rush hour traffic.”

  But Jase didn’t budge and continued to stare Seth down. “You didn’t answer my question. Does she know you’re here?”

  “Of course not. I haven’t talked to her in like a year. A year this week, in fact.” Seth smirked, leaning back against Jase’s car once more. “Wow, I’d forgotten. Time does fly when you’re having fun.”

  Rage had dark spots dancing across Jase’s vision. He grabbed Seth by his shirt and slammed him against the car. At least Cassidy wouldn’t be home for another couple of hours at least. Plenty of time to make Seth disappear.

  Seth swore, yanking himself free. He rubbed his shoulder and glared. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re leaving. Now. The last thing Cassidy needs is to see your ugly face.” Once Seth was safely gone, Jase would find a way to explain to Cassidy about the movie. To make her understand that working with Seth again wasn’t Jase’s choice. He should’ve told her as soon as he found out, but hadn’t wanted to ruin their last few days together.

  “She’s still that hung up on me, huh?” Seth flicked invisible lint off his T-shirt. “I can’t say that I’m surprised. She always was clingy. Drove me nuts when we were together. Well, that and her obsession with money. I bet she’d love to get her hands on my payc
heck. No doubt she’d be supportive, now that I’ve made it. But before I was discovered, all she could do was nag.”

  The lies dripping from Seth’s lips stung like acid. Jase pointed an angry finger in Seth’s face. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

  Seth yanked off his sunglasses again and glared. “Man, she’s got you all messed up inside. Get away while you still can. She’ll try and ruin your career, just like she tried to stop mine before it even began.”

  “You’re leaving. Now.” Jase’s chest heaved with suppressed rage. The thought of this man kissing Cassidy, holding her close, asking for her hand in marriage … it made Jase physically ill. He swallowed back the bile rising in his throat.

  “I’m ready to go as soon as you are. Grab your bags and let’s go. We can take my car. Our flight leaves early tomorrow, so the studio booked us hotel rooms in Tulsa for the night. They’ll send someone to grab your rental car.”

  The last thing Jase wanted to do was get in a car with Seth Harrington and drive together to Tulsa. Jase wasn’t a child, even if his mother insisted on treating him like one. But refusing would create waves with the production team. Jase would be labeled by his new coworkers as difficult. It wasn’t like he could trust Mother to keep quiet about his insubordination. And if Jase refused, Cassidy might run into Seth.

  As though sensing weakness, Seth folded his arms and said, “I’m not leaving unless you come with me. I can’t afford to make the boss mad right now. Not all of us have reached Hollywood Royalty status.”

  Jase chewed on his lip, knowing what his answer had to be. He’d lose his last few hours together with Cassidy, but in return, he’d spare her the pain of seeing Jase again. And he’d keep the peace with his mother and the rest of the production crew.

  “Okay,” Jase said finally. “Give me a minute to grab my things, and then we can leave. But I’m driving my own car back, and I’ve got a stop to make on the way out of town. You can go on ahead.”

  Seth smirked like he knew exactly where Jase planned on stopping—Cupcakes and Cowboys. “I’m not leaving until you do.”