Mix 'N Match (No Match for Love)

by Lindzee Armstrong

  Were they really all wrong for each other, or was she unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to be together? She thought back over the past two weeks. When she’d come up with her crazy plan to get rid of Alan, he’d gone along with it. When she’d wanted to play in the rainstorm, he’d joined her. He’d gone outside his comfort zone and asked random strangers to take their picture together at Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

  Someone sank into the chair next to Zoey’s. He was maybe ten years her senior, with a suit that screamed money and a face fit for a magazine—just her type. Or would’ve been, two weeks ago.

  “Hey,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Mark. Luke and I were college roommates.”

  “Zoey,” she said. “Brooke’s roommate and best friend.”

  “And the maid of honor. It’s a pleasure.”

  “You and Luke must be pretty good friends if you came all the way from the States for this wedding,” Zoey said.

  “We’ve kept in pretty good touch over the years. I’m actually living in Paris right now, so this was perfect.”

  Zoey leaned forward. “Wow, I’m jealous. This city is amazing. What brought you here?”

  “Work, of course.” He scooted closer. “I’m an architect. I did a six-month internship here right out of grad school and enjoyed it so much I’ve stayed for five years.”

  “I can see why.” She thought of running from Alan with Mitch, of their kiss on the Eiffel Tower, and another knife stabbed through her heart. “Paris is a beautiful city.”

  “You are beautiful.” He extended a hand, along with a charming smile. “Would you care to dance?”

  Had she been flirting? Zoey couldn’t believe it. She was usually so conscious of that kind of thing. Mitch had knocked her completely off her game.

  She needed to talk to Mitch.

  But it would be rude to refuse a dance. So Zoey let Mark draw her from the chair and lead her to the dance floor. She placed her hands on his shoulder, the action feeling all wrong. Mark placed his hands at the small of her back and urged her closer.

  “Excuse me, but that’s my wife you’re dancing with.”

  Zoey jerked back. Mitch’s dark face was pulled down in a scowl, his arms folded across his chest.

  Crap.

  Mark immediately dropped his hands, backing away. “Oh wow, I had no idea. I’m really sorry, man.” He gave a salute. “It was nice meeting you, Zoey.”

  Awkward. Zoey watched him disappear into the crowd, then whirled on Mitch. “What was that all about?”

  “I didn’t like the way he was … was …”

  Zoey placed her hands on her hips, glaring. “Was what?”

  “Was fondling you.”

  A few of the guests turned to look at them. Zoey rolled her eyes and grabbed Mitch by the jacket. He seemed to understand her intention, so she let go and marched down the hallway to a sitting room that was empty.

  She liked that he was angry.

  “We were just dancing,” Zoey said. “Besides, it’s none of your business who does or does not fondle me.”

  “It should be! I want it to be.”

  Zoey’s arms dropped to her side, hope blossoming in her heart. “What?”

  Mitch ran a hand over his hair, then threw both his hands up in the air. “You have me so frazzled I don’t know which way is up. You make me believe I can jump off a cliff and not only survive, but enjoy the ride down and make something good out of the disaster waiting for me at the bottom. You’re crazy and chaotic and spontaneous. You upset all my carefully laid plans and schedules. And I don’t care. I want you to convince me to leave work midday just so we can tour Notre Dame. I want to avoid the metro so we can dance in the rain. I like the man I am when I’m with you, and I can’t imagine life without you. I love you, Zoey. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, and I so desperately want that wedding yesterday to be real. Because I want this—us—to be forever.”

  Butterflies were flapping their wings in her heart, and her mouth was completely dry.

  He wanted her for her. He didn’t want to change her—he wanted them to change each other, but only in the best possible ways.

  And she wanted that too. She liked the way she was more levelheaded when with Mitch, the way she could think before acting and sometimes hold back. Mitch made her a better version of herself. He wouldn’t change her—he’d improve her.

  “Mitch,” she began.

  He shook his head. “I know this feels really fast. I know it seems insane. But I’ve been thinking about it all night, and at the same time, it makes perfect sense.” He reached into his jacket and withdrew a folder.

  A folder? Well, that wasn’t what she’d expected.

  Slowly, Mitch opened the folder and withdrew a sheet of cream paper that looked heavy. He walked over to a small table and sat it down, then withdrew a fountain pen and placed it beside it.

  “I want that wedding to be real,” he said. “I’m all in, Zoey.”

  Zoey took a step forward on trembling legs. The document said Certificat de Mariage at the top, and had an official government seal just underneath. The butterflies in her chest beat their wings, and Zoey blinked, trying to clear her vision.

  There, in thick black ink, was Mitch’s signature.

  Tears sprang into her eyes, and Zoey looked up at Mitch, her hand at her throat. “You signed it,” she said.

  “I meant what I said in our vows. Last night wasn’t pretend to me.”

  He reached into his jacket and withdrew a small box, then flipped it open. Zoey gasped. Nestled inside was a rose-gold band with a large onyx stone, surrounded by little diamonds. “I know this is sudden, and maybe insane. But I’m asking you to take that risk. Be my wife.”

  Zoey brought a shaking hand to her mouth. She couldn’t believe Mitch—pragmatic, levelheaded Mitch—was suddenly being so spontaneous. “You’re serious,” she whispered.

  “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

  She folded her arms, looking at the floor. “We’re so opposite.”

  “But we balance each other out.”

  “I’m not going to be a different person just because we’re married.”

  “Good. I love you just the way you are.”

  Zoey scuffed her toe along the ground. “I might drive you insane.”

  He took a step forward. “Yes. You might. We are different from each other, and I know that life together won’t always be easy. But nothing worthwhile ever is, and our differences are what make us strong.”

  She looked up, tears filling her eyes, and quickly blinked. “I’m still scared.”

  “Me too. But it’s a good scared. I want to make yesterday permanent. What do you want, Zoey?”

  She stared into his eyes, looking for any sign of doubt. But all she saw was love, and a promise she’d be an idiot not to accept.

  Slowly, she picked up the pen. She heard Mitch suck in his breath, saw him freeze in her peripheral vision. The pen felt heavy in her hands, like the comforting weight of a hug.

  She set the pen on the only blank line on the page. Then she signed with a flourish.

  Mitch let out a whoop and swept her into his arms. Zoey laughed, the pen clattering to the floor as her feet left the ground. She wrapped her arms around Mitch, clinging to him.

  He set her down and slipped the ring onto her finger. “I love you, Zoey Carlson,” he whispered. “Now and forever.”

  “It’s Zoey Harris now.” She linked her arms around his neck, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “I love you, Mitch. I’ve loved you for so long, but I was so scared you wanted me to be someone I’m not.”

  “Never. I want you exactly the way you are.”

  “Sometimes you drive me absolutely crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want this for forever, too.”

  He wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her close. Slowly, his lips descended toward hers. And somehow, this kiss felt different. Better. There was no uncertainty,
no wondering whether it was real or fake.

  This kiss was the start of the rest of her life.

  Read the rest of the series!

  Sometimes love needs a helping hand.

  Click on the image to learn more.

  Strike a Match: Coming soon!

  Meet Your Match: Nothing slows love down like the friend zone. Brooke’s convinced all boys are trouble. Luke’s a player who loves the thrill of the chase. Can a set of crazy rules keep these two safely in the friend zone? Enjoy this witty and fast-paced romance today!

  Miss Match: Playing cupid may break her heart. With the matchmaking company she works for in decline, Brooke is desperate to sign Luke, her billionaire best friend, as a client. But Luke is more interested in capturing Brooke’s heart. Escape into this lighthearted romantic comedy today, which InD’Tale Magazine calls a “feel-good romance that will leave you swooning.”

  Not Your Match: Sometimes it takes dating Mr. Wrong to find Mr. Right. Dating the wrong people has convinced both Ben and Andi that what they really want is each other. All that’s standing in their way is a fake boyfriend, a jealous ex-fiancée, and being afraid to risk their hearts. Explore this emotionally-charged romance today!

  Other Books by Lindzee Armstrong

  click on the image to find out more

  First Love, Second Choice: What happens when you impersonate your identical twin sister to score a date with your long-lost high school crush? Enjoy this delightfully sweet case of mistaken identity today!

  Cupcakes and Cowboys (a Sunset Plains romance): Cassidy wants two things—to make her cupcake shop a success, and to forget that her fiancé traded her for the lights of Hollywood. When Jase—best friend of her ex and A-list actor—shows up at the ranch to research an upcoming role, forgetting is the last thing she can do. Can Jase convince her he’s really a country boy at heart? Devour this deliciously romantic story today!

  Every book I write takes an entire village. There’s my endlessly supportive family, my incredible friends who cheer me on, and the people who make my book shine. Plus there is each and every reader, who help make my books a success.

  I couldn’t have finished this book without my two fantastic editors, who came to my rescue when I overestimated my abilities and implemented some seriously unrealistic deadlines for this book. Kelley and Suzi are amazing, and both did rush jobs when I emailed them in tears. They seriously have my eternal gratitude.

  Once again, my accountability partner (and one of my absolute best friends), Liz, listened to me whine for days on end while I was in the middle of editing. She assured me the book wasn’t awful when I insisted it was, told me to buck up and get to work when I was procrastinating, and sympathized and asked how she could help when I was stressed to the max. I honestly don’t know how I used to survive without her. Our constant texts make me feel connected to the outside world and convince me I can do hard things.

  Most of all, I have to thank my husband and kids. I had three insane deadlines all at the same time during this book, and I had to pretty much ignore everything in my life to meet them. (I do not recommend you try this at home. Especially not during the summer.)

  Thank you so much to my endlessly patient kids, who spent way too many hours in front of the TV so I could work, and never complained about it. (Let’s be honest. To them, those few weeks were probably the best of their summer.) And most especially, thank you to my husband, who cleaned the house, did way too many loads of laundry (whoops, there’s nothing clean to wear again?), and reminded me to come out of my office for food and human interaction occasionally so I wouldn’t lose my mind. I love you more than words can ever express!

  Lindzee Armstrong is the #1 best-selling author of the No Match for Love series and Sunset Plains Romance series. She’s always had a soft spot for love stories. In third grade, she started secretly reading romance novels, hiding the covers so no one would know (because hello, embarrassing!), and dreaming of her own Prince Charming.

  She finally met her match while at college, where she studied history education. They are now happily married and raising twin boys in the Rocky Mountains.

  Like any true romantic, Lindzee loves chick flicks, ice cream, and chocolate. She believes in sigh-worthy kisses and happily ever afters.

  Mix ‘N Match is part of the No Match for Love series. To find out about future releases, you can sign up for Lindzee’s newsletter. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or her website.

  If you enjoyed this book, please take a few minutes to leave a review. This is the best way you can say thank you to an author! It really helps other readers discover books they might enjoy. Thank you!

  Copyright © 2016 by Lindzee Armstrong

  Published by Snowflake Press

  All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author.

  Cover Design by Novak Illustrations

  Interior Design by Snowflake Press

  Edited by Cookie Lynn Publishing Services

  Tooele, UT

  Print ISBN 978-0-9863632-7-6

  Library of Congress Control Number 2016911103