Why would I put myself out there with someone who didn’t want to settle down or—
See? There I went again.
Even though I might look put together on the outside, I was a complete mess on the inside. It was like second-guessing myself was a fun pastime, and having completely useless conversations with myself was my idea of a good time.
I let out a wistful sigh. We were sixteen. We didn’t know better. Our ideas back then did not shape our futures now. It was all purely a coincidence.
But it was correct about the whole dating a rebel thing. The idea scared me spitless back then, and it still did fourteen years later. I wasn’t born and bred for the heartache and inner turmoil that type of men brought. I polished off my brownie and reached for another one.
Would it really hurt, though? Dating a bad boy? Just once? Maybe hop on a motorcycle and have the guy give me a tour of the islands, or the mountains, or his bedroom…
I let out a groan and finished my brownie.
Shame on me.
And shame on my friends for trying to force this whole idea on me.
And by my birthday?
Please.
I didn’t need to go flag down some good-looking bad boy, sleep with him, and prove my initial point that I needed to stay away from rebels. Although, it might be kind of fun…
These were precisely the thoughts I needed to stay away from.
Always had stayed away from.
Yet, the truth of the matter was that I knew I’d fall entirely under the spell of a man like that. Even though I had absolutely no idea what Morgan McKenzie looked like now, I’d imagined him plenty, and those images were pretty fantastic.
A woman cleared her throat, and my eyes darted to the door where Tori was standing and smiling at me, arms folded as she leaned against the doorframe.
“Are the brownies that good?” she teased. “You’re as red as a lobster with a dreamy look in your eyes.”
I laughed and nodded. ‘You know how chocolate gets me.”
Tori walked into my classroom and shut the door as she made her way over to my desk.
“This felt like the longest week of the year.”
“And they always feel longer until school lets out.” I smiled. “And I love my job.”
“I do too.” She reached for a brownie and took a bite. “These are delicious.” Her eyes narrowed on mine. “But not delicious enough to get me blushing, and I should know. I’m a redhead and can blush with the best of them.”
“Well, my blonde roots aren’t doing me any favors either.” I grinned.
“And your green eyes are giving everything away.”
Tori had porcelain skin, vibrant red hair, and the kindest soul. She’d grown up on the island but had moved back to the East Coast years ago before returning temporarily for the summer to look after her dad’s affairs after he’d passed.
And then she met the love of her life, Mason, and stayed. They were the cutest couple, and the relationship was something I’d never had but secretly envied—in the healthiest possible way, of course.
“So, what did I stumble upon, Tessa? You have a hot date tonight?” She wiggled her brows and giggled.
“Only if you know something I don’t.” I laughed and walked over to close the blinds to start packing up for the weekend.
Tori started stacking chairs in the back of the room as I debated on what to tell her. We’d become fast friends once she moved back out here, but I never really talked about dating and relationships much because…well, none of that was a priority. I loved my job, my house, weekends, summer, holidays, and spending time with family. I always focused on the positive.
“How much do you think your past dictates your future?” I asked.
Tori stopped stacking the chairs and looked at me strangely.
“That’s some deep stuff.” She looked up at the ceiling as if she were pondering life’s big mystery, and maybe she was. “I think our past can really direct our lives, especially when we’re younger, but I think we have total control over changing things we don’t like and embracing the things we love. Why?”
I shrugged. “I’m beginning to think I’ve been settling on the wrong kind of guy.”
“Nooo.” Tori laughed and stacked the last chair before coming over. “Well, you do like your loafer-wearing studs.”
I grimaced. “That’s the problem. I don’t think I do. I don’t think I ever did.”
Tori chuckled. “Well, that could be a problem, but I say if you’re worried about it, just ixnay on the argyle sweater, loafer connoisseurs for a bit and dabble some.”
“Dabble,” I repeated, nodding.
“I thought you were kind of over the whole dating thing, anyway?” she asked, sliding onto my desk.
“I am, or I was…no, I still am.” I laughed and groaned.
“Have you been dipping in the little vodka bottle in your drawer?” she teased.
“I wish.” I grinned, knowing we’d both get new professions before stooping to alcohol to make it through the day. “So, my friends and I got together last night, and back when we were sixteen, we’d made a pact.”
“Sounds cute.”
“We took vows and declared what type of man we would never marry. It was cute until we all sat there last night and realized we were still following what we’d vowed.”
Tori laughed and nodded. “And you vowed that you’d only date preppy guys?”
“I vowed I’d never date a rebel, so I stayed on course and searched out the pastel-wearing, argyle-loving man.”
“And that’s not easy to do in the Northwest.” She patted my shoulder. “I think you’ve done a mighty fine job of sticking to that pledge. Let’s see, what was the last guy’s name? Chester?”
“Charles,” I corrected. “The third.”
“Of course he’s got a number after his name.” Tori leaped off my desk. “Well, Mason is throwing a party, and there’s bound to be some single bad boy types roaming around.”
“What’s the party for?” I asked.
“He’s finally taking over the reins completely. His dad’s retiring, and Mason’s taking over the construction company.”
“Wow. That’s awesome.”
She nodded. “It is. Anyway, the party is happening on Saturday at Fireweed Harbor. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find Mr. Right.”
“I’m beginning to think there’s no such thing as Mr. Right.” I chuckled. “I think I’m supposed to start looking for Mr. Wrong, according to my friends.” I smiled. “Truthfully, the only way I’m going to find love is on accident. If it’s purely a mistake, like Cupid was aiming for someone standing next to me and I happened to get in front of his arrow, I might have a chance.”
“That’s the spirit.” Tori scowled and tapped her foot slightly. “Maybe I can ask Mason’s brother if he will bring some fighters or boxers or whatever it was Mason used to do as a hobby. There’s bound to be a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy in that batch.”
“Please don’t,” I groaned and slid my hands over my face. “I think I’ll just stay single and at home on Saturday.”
“Are you sure won’t come?” She laughed. “It could be entertaining.”
“Exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Tori hugged me, and I laughed, shaking my head. “All I know is I can’t wait to take my brownies home with me tonight, finish correcting papers, and complete the book I started last night.”
“And I was just coming to invite you out for drinks. I’m headed to Mud Flats for happy hour. Mason will be there. Maybe we can ask him if he’s got any leads on some single men.”
“I swear if you do, I’ll jump off the pier.”
She chuckled and grabbed my hand and the tray of brownies before pulling me out of the classroom and out to the parking lot.
“Okay, I’ll see ya there.” She handed me the brownies as I climbed into my car, but I noticed she looked a little antsy as I started the ignition.
I rolled down my window an
d craned my neck.
“Everything okay?” I asked as she glanced at her phone.
“Oh, totally.” She smiled and walked away, looking about as sneaky as the three from last night, but I pushed the thought out of my head and turned my car onto the main road to Mud Flats.
It was a beautiful day on Fireweed. The sapphire blue sky stretched as far as my eyes could see, and it made yesterday seem even more surreal. The bustle of the city compared to the quiet life on Fireweed made me appreciate my life that much more.
Gardens were coming alive with colors, and people were venturing outside more, walking their dogs, playing with their kids, and visiting the shore with friends. It was a wonderful time of year, and it was annoying that a teenage boy from so many years ago kept sneaking into my thoughts, all because of last night with my friends. I felt unsettled, and that was a feeling I wasn’t used to in the slightest.
I let out a sigh as I pulled into the parking lot. The place looked packed for so early in the evening. It was barely four o’clock. Not that I knew what the parking lot typically looked like. I rarely went out for drinks, so maybe Mud Flats was always hopping.
Tori pulled in right next to me and nearly sprang out of her car.
“You ready?” she asked, nearly breathless.
“Umm. Yeah?” I laughed, wondering what in the world she was up to. “It’s just a couple of drinks, right?”
She beamed and looped her arm through mine as we wandered to the entrance and the hostess opened the door for us.
The moment I stepped inside, a crowd of family and friends yelled, “Surprise,” and I nearly fell over as adrenaline shot through me.
To keep me upright, Samantha, Winter, and Arie came bounding to my rescue and locked me in a huge embrace.
“Happy Birthday,” they screamed, making my ears ring while I watched my two brothers and parents waving frantically near the bar.
My eyes slid to a stop on my brothers while thoughts churned that Samantha might have slept with one of them. A shiver ran through me, and I shook my head. Had to be Winter’s or Arie’s brothers.
My best friends stepped back, and Tori chuckled. “I was so worried I was going to blow it. I had one task, get you here, and I was positive you’d turn me down for drinks.” Mason walked over to Tori and hugged her and waved at me.
I smiled and scanned the room filled with family, friends, coworkers, and a large group of attractive men I’d never met. “I’ve never had a surprise party before.”
“And we thought it was about time.” Winter grinned suspiciously.
“But we knew we’d better make it a week early, or you’d be onto us.” Arie smiled.
Once I realized that group of about six men, who looked like they’d rather burn argyle than wear it, were part of my party, I scowled.
Because somehow.
Someway.
My friends had wrangled a rough, albeit a sexy-looking bunch of strangers to my celebration in order for me to find a man by the time I was thirty.
“Wait a second.” I put both hands on my hips. “This isn’t about my birthday. This is about trying to set me up with some guys before next week.” I shook my head. “Just promise me they aren’t strippers. This is awful.”
“Is it, though?” Arie whispered. “I mean, look at those specimens. They look like they’d eat your ex for breakfast and lick his bones.”
“Is that a good thing, though?” I chuckled as Samantha trundled over to the waiter holding a tray of drinks.
Tori laughed and gave me a squeeze. “I’m sure my husband can do better at finding some men for you. Come to the party on Saturday,” she pleaded, and I chuckled, shaking my head.
“I don’t need plural. Just one good one.” I held up my index finger.
“I’ve got a drink for you,” Samantha nearly hummed as I turned around to greet her.
“You’d better have more than that,” I nearly growled.
Instead of Samantha staring back at me, the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on was standing in front of me.
His dark hair was a bit disheveled, which softened his angular jaw, but his piercing blue eyes nearly took my breath away. He was wearing a blue shirt rolled up at the sleeves and loose-fitting jeans.
“Well, Tessa Berry.” His voice was low and gruff, sending a complete wave of frenzy through me. “It’s been a really, really long time.”
Chapter Three
His brilliant cobalt gaze locked on mine, and it was like the entire bar melted away.
I narrowed my eyes on the beautiful stranger as Samantha slipped a margarita in my hand, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the man in front of me.
He was probably a foot away, yet it felt like my entire body was on fire and prickly.
Prickly?
I was a lost cause.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” He smiled, and his eyes stayed fastened on mine.
My entire body was heating up, but not in that sexy way, more like I’m about to start sweating profusely in front of a very sexy and very out-of-my-league guy kind of way.
There was something familiar about him, extremely familiar, except all grown up.
And that was when it hit me.
I was staring at McKenzie.
But it couldn’t be.
This guy in front of me, while edgy, didn’t look like he was up all night playing in a band. His watch indicated that he had money.
Lots of it.
And this man was far more gorgeous than I’d remembered.
And oddly refined.
I bit my lip as I contemplated my options. Should I pretend I recognized McKenzie or plead ignorance, as if I’d never noticed the boy in my life?
“It’s okay if you don’t.” He took a swig of the bottle of beer he was clutching that I hadn’t even noticed. “Most people remember my brother from high school. Not me.”
“Wait. What?” I finally found my words again, and Arie and Samantha patted my back as if they were relieved I was back in the game.
They were going to pay for this.
“My brother, Morgan McKenzie. He was the rock god of high school and a little bit of college.”
“Oh.” I smiled, tipping my head back. “You’re not Morgan?”
“I’m Maddox McKenzie.”
“You have the same blue eyes,” I whispered, wishing the moment those words slipped out that I could reel them back in.
His smile widened. “So, you do remember my brother.”
“I mean, only because he lived in my neighborhood and played music with his band in a deafening and obnoxious way.” I grinned, feeling the heat wash over me, but for a very different reason this time.
“Yeah. We heard that complaint a lot.” He laughed and took another sip of beer. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“What do you mean, again?”
“Well, for someone who wasn’t into my brother, you certainly walked by our house multiple times a day.”
I blushed and giggled. “That’s only because one of my best friends lived that way.”
“That was me,” Arie piped up from behind. “And you didn’t have to walk by his house to get to mine. You totally wanted to ogle Morgan.”
I turned around and scowled at her, which only made her laugh.
These girls were definitely in trouble.
“So, you’re not Morgan McKenzie?” Winter asked.
“Nope. I’m his brother, Maddox.”
“Ugh.” Winter groaned. “I thought I’d found the right McKenzie.”
“Sorry to let you down.” His smile only widened as he reached into his pocket. “I can call my brother and see if—”
“You didn’t let me down.” I nearly slapped his hand out of his pocket. “My friends are just crazy, and it’s all a silly game.”
“A game?” His dark brow arched, and my heart tripled its beats in time. “And I’m the poor, unassuming pawn?”
He was just too good-looking for his own good.
&nb
sp; And mine.
“Well, we’re trying to date the Mr. Wrongs of the world,” Samantha filled him in, and I suddenly wanted to push her off the pier outside.
“No, that’s not the case at all.” I smiled, not wanting to offend Maddox or his absent brother.
Maddox ran his fingers along his jaw and couldn’t help but smile, ignoring what I said. “So, your Mr. Wrong would have been my brother.”
I glared at my friends, who couldn’t help but seem joyous about this setup.
I just wished they understood how mortifying this experience felt and how many things could go wrong with this encounter.
Rather, they stood glowing at the ‘wrong’ McKenzie brother. Forget my self-esteem. What if one of those men inside was a mass-murderer or who knew what? Which was the problem. My friends were so focused on finding a man, any man, by our thirtieth birthdays, they threw caution to the wind.
Winter eyed Maddox from head to toe. “Well, Tessa vowed that she’d never date a rebel, so she’s been stuck dating—”
“Okay.” I waved my hands in front of Winter to keep her quiet.
“No, I’ve got to hear this. It’s only fair.” A twinkle surfaced in Maddox’s gaze, and my insides went wild like I was seeing his brother wink at me all those years ago. “Who has Tessa Berry been dating since high school?”
I took a sip of my margarita, watching Winter clap her hands together as if I’d just won the lottery.
“Well, the men usually have an affinity for boat shoes with no socks.” Arie scrunched her face up as if I’d been dating axe murderers all these years. She glanced at his feet. “And you don’t.”
“And argyle,” Tori added. “They always wore lots of argyle.”
“Can’t forget the pastels.” Samantha gave her two cents as well, and I wanted to crawl over to my family who was watching us and obviously giving their own blow-by-blow version between them of what was going on over here.
“Interesting.” His head cocked slightly.
“What’s interesting?” I asked, taking another sip.
Well, maybe the sip was more like a gulp.
“I’d always imagined you to be with someone adventurous and who bucked the norm.”
He imagined me? I felt my friends whirl themselves in delight as they imagined us walking down the aisle together.
Mr. Mistake: A Fake Marriage Romance (Mr. Mistake Series Book 1) Page 3