Dating by Design Series - Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  “No, I guess not, but we’ll do our best,” he promised.

  “Jason mentioned you’ve had some help in all this. What did he mean?”

  “I guess I can’t tick you off any more than I already have today. I’ve been seeing Brooke Sanders.”

  “Our client, Brooke Sanders? Since when?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “She has a child.”

  “I know. And Payton and I get along great.”

  “I feel like I’ve entered some alternate dimension. Is it serious between the two of you?”

  “Well, I haven’t dated anyone else since I’ve been seeing her, so I would say so.”

  “Wait. What about the dates you had at the beach?”

  He grinned evilly. “Brooke was staying at a nearby hotel.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t believe you kept all this from me.”

  He reached over and gently took my scraped hand. “It’s not like I wanted to. I just did what needed to be done.”

  “Are you hanging up your bachelor ways?”

  “I don’t know. Are you hanging up your running shoes?”

  I looked up. “That’s a good question.”

  “You know Jason is the best of the best, and he really cares about you.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “Kenz, we’re morons. And I’m sorry, but it was for your own good. One day you’re going to look back and thank me for this. You and Jason are a good match. You don’t even need your program to tell you that.”

  “What if it did? Assuming Jason was honest in his questionnaire.”

  Zander glanced at me slyly. “What are you saying, darlin’?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Since we’re all baring our souls here, you need to spill.”

  I sighed. “I keep my own profile at work to run against the database when I make updates. And let’s just say we’ve never had a higher match than Jason and me.”

  “I guess it’s up to you now to make your choice.”

  I guess it was.

  ~*~

  We kept Binary Search closed through the weekend. I stayed at Momma’s until the power could be restored at my place.

  I kept mostly to myself in my old room. I was surprised Momma let me be, even though she knew what was going on. I knew she wanted to be her overbearing, lovable self, but I think she knew that was the last thing I needed. Jason was giving me my space, too. He only called on Saturday to let me know that he had talked to Liz, and she wasn’t going to sue me. She and her ex-husband had decided to re-kindle their romance. Apparently, Jason and I weren’t the only ones thrown together by the storm. No matter the reason, I was more than relieved. I did have to refund her money, but I was happy to do so.

  Saturday also earned me a visit from Rick. He came in and sat on my bed. I couldn’t remember the last time we had sat on my bed together. I think maybe before he left for college when I had cried like a baby because I didn’t want him to leave. I felt like crying like a baby again, but didn’t, at least not in front of anyone.

  He gave me an all-knowing grin. “How’s my little sister?”

  “Confused.”

  “What’s there to be confused about? The way I hear it, he loves you. And from your behavior, I’d say you feel the same way.”

  I lay back on my bed and sighed. “I’m not even sure I know what love is. And he tricked me.”

  Rick lay down beside me and laughed. “Looks like it worked.”

  I reached over and pushed his shoulder. “What do you know?”

  “I know that a guy spent an exorbitant amount of money so he could get to know you. And he’s laid his heart out on the line for you. Does that about sum it up?”

  I wiped a tear away. “Sounds about right.”

  “So what’s your hang-up?”

  “I don’t know if I can do it again. What if it doesn’t work out?”

  “That’s a risk we all take when we enter any relationship. But trust me when I say, it’s better on the trying side of things. You have to stop protecting your heart and start listening to it for once. For someone who makes a living creating relationships, maybe it’s time you had one of your own. I think it’s time to hang up those running shoes. And I have a feeling, even if you don’t, Jason’s going to keep chasing after you. Now what does that say to you?” Rick leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’m here if you need me.” And with that, he walked out.

  I think Nan Marshall held out as long as she could. After dinner Saturday night, she entered my room cautiously. I could tell she was trying her best not to pounce on me.

  I sat up straighter against my headboard. She joined me on the edge of the bed facing me.

  She picked up my hand and patted it with her free hand. “Oh, Kenadie Anne. What are we going to do with you?”

  I sighed with a small smile.

  “I hate to say I told you so, but honey, I told you Jason had a thing for you. How come you couldn’t see it?”

  I grabbed onto a pillow for comfort and pressed it against my body. “In my defense he was dating other women.”

  Momma rolled her eyes. I don’t know why that still irked her. “I think the part that bothers me is that even if he hadn’t been, you still wouldn’t have gotten it. Why is that?”

  I felt my eyes stinging. “For so long after Brian left me I felt like I had lost myself. I felt like I didn’t deserve anyone. For a long time afterward, every time I looked in the mirror all I could see were my flaws. I could see why Brian wouldn’t want to wake up to me every morning. I knew no one would ever want me, or at least that’s how it felt, so I figured I would beat them to the punch. I would make myself unavailable and unapproachable.”

  Momma wiped her tear-filled eyes. “Honey, why didn’t you say something? You’re beautiful inside and out.”

  “You’re my momma, you have to say that. And you could have told me that a million times and I would have never believed you. It wasn’t until recently that I thought maybe I could be attractive to someone else. I get that Jason was complimentary, but he’s just that kind of a guy; it never dawned on me that it meant more to him. I’ve been too afraid to see myself in that light because I didn’t want to get hurt again.”

  She rested her perfectly manicured hand against my damp cheek. “I hope you will believe this, you, my sweet girl, are deserving of all life has to offer, including love. Jason will be the luckiest man alive if you choose him.” She paused. “You are going to choose him, right?”

  I smiled, reached up, and hugged her tightly. “I love you.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I know.”

  She didn’t get an answer right away. I spent the rest of the night into the early morning hours thinking about what she and Rick had said. Even more importantly I thought about the last couple of months with Jason. I wrestled with myself all night. At first I wasn’t sure who was going to win. The scared, void-of-any-self-esteem Kenadie, or the woman that had taken her place, the woman that Jason had fallen in love with.

  I woke up with a purpose on Sunday. I needed Rick’s help. Momma didn’t even care that it made us miss church.

  With my heart in my throat, and my little bundle of joy in the passenger seat of my rental car, I drove to Jason’s house Sunday evening. I don’t think I had ever been so frightened in all my life. I parked in front of Jason’s house, where my car had been towed away. Zander was praying they would total it so I would be forced to buy something he believed to be cooler. I took lots of deep breaths before taking my little guy, who whimpered some, out of his crate. I held him close and stroked him. I was already in love with him. I was hoping Jason would be, too.

  I walked carefully up Jason’s steps and took a deep breath before I rang his doorbell.

  I heard him walking toward the door and felt sick to my stomach, but in a good sort of way. The doorknob turned and I thought my heart would beat out of my chest.

  Jason opened the
door. He looked surprised to see me. And even more surprised at my peace offering. When he didn’t say anything I was worried, but I swallowed hard and tried to remain courageous.

  “So,” I began nervously, “I was kind of hoping you would want to share custody of this little guy. It means he would have to live here, which means I would probably have to come by every day and …”

  I didn’t get to finish. Jason pulled me and our labradoodle puppy close to him and began kissing every inch of my face. Between kisses, he got out, “I’ve missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  He took my face in his hands. I’ve never seen anyone look at me with such adoration. “I’m happy you’ve finally figured out who the right woman for me is.”

  “You know you’re going to have to be patient with me. This isn’t going to be easy.”

  He closed his door, carefully took the puppy out of my hands, and gently placed him on the floor near our feet. He took me in his arms and kissed me deeply. I could feel the emotion behind it. I could feel love. When he released me, he stroked my cheek gently with the back of his hand. “Believe me, Kenadie Marshall, I can be patient.”

  Epilogue

  “I’m tired of being patient.”

  My heart stopped beating as we lay there on his parents’ rooftop, snuggled under the warmth of a large blanket on the hammock made for two. We were waiting for the hot air balloons to appear in the pre-dawn hours. I felt panicked. I thought everything had been going so well the past four plus months. Sure, I had my moments, but most of the time, I was the ideal girlfriend, I thought. When we weren’t at work, we were practically inseparable. We shared a dog and everything. He brought me to New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta and to meet his parents. I was even telling him I loved him on a daily basis. So how could he be tired of me?

  “Kenadie, honey? Did you hear me?”

  I propped myself up on his chest and looked into those eyes I loved more than anything. I was confused to see him smiling. Was he happy to be ending our relationship? “Jason, I’ve been trying,” I said with emotion. I was on the verge of tears.

  He laughed.

  This is no time to be jovial, I thought.

  He reached up, took my face in his hands, and gently ran his thumbs across my cheeks, before moving in slowly. At first his kiss was soft and tender. I easily fell into it as my lips parted. His hands moved up through my hair as he pulled me closer and the kiss became anything but tender. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of me. I could certainly never get enough of him.

  He barely pulled away. “Honey,” he whispered. He brushed my lips with his own once more for good measure. “I was thinking that I want to wake up with you in my arms every morning. I’m tired of saying goodbye to you every night. I want to make this situation,” he squeezed me tightly, “a permanent one.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He smiled that illegal smile of his. “Hold on for a second.” He carefully reached beneath the hammock, so as not to tip us over. We had already done that earlier, when our making out had gotten a little out of control. I heard what sounded like Velcro ripping beneath us.

  His hand brought up a little blue velvet box.

  If I thought my heart was racing before, I was mistaken. I knew if I touched my chest, I would be able to physically feel my heart.

  “I guess what I’m saying is I want to share custody of my home, my heart, my life, my children, our children.” He wickedly grinned. “I love you, and nothing would make me happier than to be your husband.” He carefully opened up the box to reveal a stunning, white gold, halo diamond ring. “Will you marry me, Kenadie?”

  Tears streamed down my face. “Does it have to be at church?”

  He took the ring out and slipped it on my finger. “No. We don’t even have to invite anyone. Though your mom may kill us for that.”

  “I doubt it. She wants grandchildren too much.”

  Jason laughed. “So, does this mean you will?”

  I leaned down and hovered just above his lips. “I love you, Jason. Yes.”

  He groaned and pulled me to him, and we did our best to tip that hammock over again as the balloons rose in the still darkened sky. When we came up for air we were both out of breath. He was good like that.

  I lay back down in his arms and held out my ring to admire it. I couldn’t believe I was getting married. Six months ago I would have never guessed this outcome. I guess Zander was right, I would be thanking him. Speaking of Zander. “Does Zander know?”

  Jason took my left hand and kissed it before answering. “I asked for his permission along with your mom’s.”

  “How did he take it?”

  “In light of his recent breakup I would say tolerably well.”

  I felt bad about that. Brooke was ready to settle down and Zander wasn’t quite there yet, and he didn’t do well with ultimatums. “Maybe we can find somebody to set him up with.”

  “Are you saying you want to be his personal relationship manager?”

  “No. I’ve permanently hung up that hat.”

  “Good.” Jason deftly maneuvered us so that he was practically on top of me. “I don’t want you managing anyone else’s relationship but ours.”

  I smiled up at him. “I think I can manage that.”

  He groaned before his lips covered mine. “Good, because you’re my PRM.”

  Statistically Improbable

  Dating by Design: Book Two

  Jennifer Peel

  Chapter One

  “I can’t decide whether to be the maid of honor or best man for your wedding, Kenz.” Zander played with Kenadie’s hair in our weekly connection meeting.

  I could see Kenadie’s annoyance mixed with a heavy dose of amusement. She was definitely happier since she had hung up those running shoes and let Jason catch her. They were planning a New Year’s Eve wedding two months from now. It was a short engagement —I’d never seen a groom more excited to tie the knot, but after Kenadie’s first attempt at walking down the aisle, she more than deserved the enthusiasm.

  “As pretty as you would be in a dress, I think best man suits you, or at least semi-decent man.” Kenadie swatted Zander’s hand away.

  Zander pretended to shove a knife in his heart with his pen. “Now, darlin’, that hurts. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be getting married.” Zander turned toward me and I felt that swoop in the pit of my stomach that I had been trying to ignore. “Meg, what do you think?”

  I think that you should come over here and kiss me passionately. Or at least ask me out. Make me your plus one at the wedding. All of the above. I knew, though, that it would never work, no matter how attracted I was to him. Kenadie didn’t have anything against inter-office dating, or at least there wasn’t a company policy regarding it, but her words rang in my head, Any match percentages that are thirty-five percent and below are considered statistically improbable. I had run Zander’s and my numbers and we were a big fat twenty-three percent. Not to mention he was a complete womanizer and still in love—or maybe half in love—with his best friend and Jason’s bride-to-be, Kenadie.

  Zander flashed that gorgeous smile of his at me as he waited for me to reply.

  All I wanted to do was get lost in those unusually green eyes of his, but I cleared my throat and sat up straighter. “Definitely best man material.”

  “I knew I liked you.” Zander grinned at me before turning back to Kenadie, smugly.

  Yeah, I liked him, too—a little too much. I had since I’d first started working here earlier in the year. When I was the receptionist—before I was promoted to a personal relationship manager—I would come in early to make sure I got to say good morning to him, even when I was dating Lucas. That probably should have said something to me long before Lucas broke up with me a few months ago. I tucked my dark, bobbed hair behind my ear and tried to focus on the meeting. We had forty couples to pair up. It was the most we’d had since my promotion. In just the few short months in my new
position, we had gotten busier and busier. Kenadie recently hired another male relationship manager, Andy, to help take on more clients.

  I looked around at all the portraits on the conference room wall, wishing mine and Zander’s were up there and that he would move his next to mine to claim me as his own. I sighed internally. I knew it was never happening. I didn’t even know why I wanted it to. He wasn’t the kind of man you brought home to meet your dad. He probably dated more women in a week than I had boyfriends in my twenty-six years of life. And I knew my small-town Wyoming upbringing didn’t match with his big-city Atlanta lifestyle. Though I’d been living in Georgia since I was eighteen, I still felt out of place here sometimes.

  I made myself focus. It was easy since Zander had taken the stage again. He was arguing with Cara. “I’m telling you, Isabella and Derek aren’t a good match.”

  “Their profiles have over a seventy percent compatibility rate.” Cara smirked at Zander.

  Zander gave her his I-know-I’m-right smile. I had come to recognize it. And he did always seem to be right. Knowing people was his gift. Along with a hard body, strong jawline, perfectly styled chestnut hair, and those eyes. I wanted to get up close and gaze into them.

  I shook my head.

  Zander was verbalizing his comeback. “Now, darlin’, if we only relied on the system, we wouldn’t have jobs or be arguing. Isabella wants a pretty boy, and your boy Derek isn’t going to make the cut.”

  “And how do you know that? Looks are subjective,” Cara threw back at him.

  Zander leaned forward, happy to oblige. “I got to take a tour with her through her Facebook page, and all her ex-boyfriends made an appearance. She rated them each on looks, profession, and money. Believe me when I say Derek isn’t making it past her portal inbox.”

  Zander and Cara both stared each other down. Connection meetings always got a little heated. I watched Kenadie decide if she should intervene or not, or call Zander a butthead. When you have been friends since high school, I guess you could do that, even if you were at work. But she stayed silent, at least vocally. Her eyes told Zander to play nice.