Taylor’s mouth fell open, shock lining his features. “Kate, I—”
“Goodbye, Taylor,” Kate said. And then she shut the door.
Taylor tore down the freeway, aggressively cutting off drivers and weaving through traffic as he headed toward the station. His parents made him so angry. No, they infuriated him. Amy infuriated him. He missed his twin sister—the girl who had teased him about playing dolls and had given him hugs when he fell off his bike and scraped his knee. He’d do anything to get that girl back.
He’d thought he’d finally met someone who would understand when he started dating Kate. Her family was even more dysfunctional than his. With a drug-addicted dad in prison and a mother that was probably dead of an overdose, surely she’d understand why he had to do everything possible to help Amy the way his parents wouldn’t.
Except Amy was still getting worse. He’d spent a decade doing it his way with no results. Was Kate right? Were his parents?
Taylor pulled to a stop in the parking lot of the fire station, then grabbed his bag from the back of the truck and stalked inside. Maybe he had been wrong to leave Kate, especially on such a difficult day. But it wasn’t like he’d abandoned her at the party and left her to find her own way home. He’d explained the situation, then driven her back to her place and walked her to the door like a gentleman. If she couldn’t handle the unpredictable life of someone in service to the public, then maybe it was better if they ended things now.
Except he didn’t want to end things and move to San Diego. He wanted to stay right here in L.A. with her.
Taylor walked through the front doors of the fire station, surprised to see Corey sitting at the kitchen table.
“What are you doing here?” Taylor asked.
Corey folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. “My shift isn’t over for another ten minutes. What are you doing here?”
“Doug claims he’s sick again and asked me to take his shift.”
Corey pursed his lips. “I thought you were taking Kate to your parents’ house.”
“Yeah, we did go there for a while.” Taylor tossed his bag to the ground and sank into a chair next to Corey. “I don’t know, man. Things were going great, and then Amy had to call and ruin everything. I got in a fight with my dad, and then Kate blew up at me when I dropped her off.”
“Can’t say I blame her. Cutting the date short was a pretty jerk move.”
“Doug’s sick. What am I supposed to do?”
Corey snorted. “You and I both know Doug isn’t sick of anything but working. Didn’t you say today was kind of a rough day for Kate? She should be angry. You left her—the girl you’re dating—when she really needed you, to help someone with a complete disregard for responsibility. Why is it that you’ll help complete strangers, but you won’t help those you love?”
Love. The word echoed through Taylor’s mind, and a lump formed in his throat. Did he really love Kate? They’d been dating such a short amount of time, but he definitely felt something strong for her.
“It’s not that black and white,” Taylor said.
“It is, man. What makes today so important to Kate?”
Taylor looked down, the guilt welling inside him. “It’s her husband’s birthday.”
Corey stared at Taylor, then swore. “You’re a piece of work. It’ll serve you right if she dumps your sorry butt.”
“We’re barely even dating.” But Taylor had no desire to see what other women Toujour had to offer him. He already knew he’d found the one he wanted.
“If I were Kate, I wouldn’t want to date you either. She needs someone who’s going to be there for her, no matter what. Not someone with a misguided hero complex who’s always rushing off to someone else’s aid.”
Taylor sighed. “It’s not just that. She said I enable Amy. That she doesn’t want to be with a guy who does that.”
“Kate’s a smart woman.”
“Excuse me?”
“Amy’s an alcoholic. She needs to be checked into a treatment program. Instead you give her money every time she drinks all hers away.”
“If I can just—”
“You can’t help someone who doesn’t help themselves. I don’t blame Kate for not wanting to be with someone who only gives to the wrong people. Moving to San Diego would be the worst possible thing you could do for Amy. She’ll have no reason to stay sober if you’re there babysitting her.”
Taylor stared at Corey as clarity sharpened his vision of Amy—and of Kate. Two futures played out before him, making his stomach churn. If he moved to San Diego, Amy would continue to get worse. His life would revolve around dragging her home from bars and hoping she didn’t end up dead from her addiction.
But if he stayed here in Los Angeles, he could finally break the cycle. Maybe, if he followed his parents’ lead, Amy would finally get the help she needed. And maybe Taylor would get Kate, if he hadn’t screwed things up too badly.
Fear swept through Taylor and he rose. “You have to take Doug’s shift for me.”
“What? I’ve already been here for two days.”
“Just a few hours. Please, Corey. I have to talk to Kate.”
Corey sighed, but Taylor saw the small smile he was trying to hide. “Fine. Go try and fix things with your girl. But then come right back here. I’ve got plans with Amanda tonight, and I’m not dumb enough to cancel them for Doug.”
“Thank you.” Taylor raced out of the station and hopped in his truck. He had to get to Kate.
He made it to her house in record time, stopping only once at the grocery store a block away from her house for flowers. He raced up the steps to her front porch and rapped sharply on the door. His breathing was loud in his ears, but silence echoed from the house.
His shoulders slumped. Had she left to run errands? Then a worse thought hit him. Maybe she was inside the house and choosing not to open the door.
He rapped on the door again. She wouldn’t brush him off that easily. “Please, Kate. I’m sorry. I made a mistake. Let me in so I can apologize.”
The door flew open, and Taylor took a quick step back. Kate stood in the doorway, her arms folded across her stomach and green eyes blazing. They stared at each other for a moment, electricity sizzling between them.
“Well?” Kate said. “I thought you wanted to apologize. Start talking.”
Taylor swallowed, thrusting the flowers toward her. She took them slowly, no hint of relenting in her expression.
“I’m sorry,” Taylor said. “I was a complete and total jerk. My parents have been saying the same thing as you for years, and lately I’ve started wondering if they’re right. But it didn’t click until I heard it from you. I should try harder to help my sister—really help her—even though I know it’ll be hard not to rush to her side every time she asks for help. I should put the needs of those I love over the needs of those I barely know.”
“You can’t save the entire world, Taylor. I need someone who will pick his battles. And I need to be one of those battles every time.”
He swallowed hard. “I know. I’m so sorry I left. I’m sorry I wasn’t more sensitive to how hard of a day this was for you. I can’t promise that I won’t continue to make mistakes. But I can promise that I’ll try my hardest every day to put your needs above anyone else’s. Because that’s what a relationship is about. And that’s what I want from you—a real relationship. The whole package. I want to put your needs first.”
Kate clutched the flowers to her chest. “What are you saying?”
He took a bold step forward, crossing the threshold of her home. “I’m saying I love you, Kate. I love watching you stand up for yourself, even when it’s hard. I love your quiet strength. I love the way you take care of others, the way you love your job. I love the way you’re willing to be honest with me, even when it’s not what I want to hear. I don’t want you to date anyone else. Just the thought makes me sick inside. I’m ready to put my profile on hold at Toujour and pursue this relationship whol
eheartedly. I’m ready to deal with the difficult parts and work through the challenges that may arise. I’m all in.”
Tears trickled down Kate’s cheeks and she blinked, quickly wiping them away. “I’m scared to trust you. Because I know if I let myself, I’ll fall—hard. And I don’t know if my heart can handle being broken again.”
“I could never break your heart.” Taylor slowly reached out, taking the flowers from her hands and setting them on the coffee table.
“That’s what they all say.”
“You have to let me in, Kate. Take that leap and trust me. I promise, I’m not going to let you fall.” He took her hands and slowly drew her toward him.
Kate collapsed against him, shoulders shaking. Relief coursed through Taylor and he mouthed a silent thank you to the heavens as he held her close. He rubbed slow circles on her back, whispering soothing words.
“I think I love you, too,” Kate said. “And it terrifies me.”
Taylor took her face gently between his hands. “Does that mean you’ll put your profile on hold?”
Kate closed her eyes. “Does this mean you aren’t taking the job in San Diego?”
Taylor swallowed hard. He would still help Amy. But this time, he would give her the right kind of help. And he wouldn’t upend his life for her. He wouldn’t abandon Kate for Amy. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Kate’s green eyes glistened, and she gave a small smile. “Okay then.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll put my profile on hold.”
Taylor raised his eyes to the ceiling, a laugh filling him. When he looked back at Kate, she was smiling too.
“I guess this means we’re officially a couple,” Taylor said.
“Yeah, I guess it does.”
“I love you, Kate.”
“I think I love you, too.”
Taylor slowly lowered his lips towards hers, heart soaring. He paused, giving her a chance to pull away.
She didn’t.
His lips pressed against hers and he instantly knew that there was no turning back. He was hers forever. Her lips were soft as a feather, and he could taste the salt of tears on them. He hated that he’d caused them, and vowed to do better from here on out. He would be the man that she deserved.
Kate wrapped her arms around his neck, her body soft and warm against his, lips exerting just the right amount of pressure. Her auburn locks were like silk sliding through his fingers. Taylor was desperate to stay in this moment forever, but he knew she needed to take things slow. He gave her one last, long kiss then pulled back.
Kate placed a hand on the back of his neck, pulling him in once more. And he knew that he’d just found the rest of his life.
Five Months Later
Kate let out a ragged breath, her calves burning with the intensity of the incline.
Taylor looked back at her, grinning. “Almost there,” he said. “The view is worth the hike. I promise.”
“It better be,” Kate said, but she kept her tone teasing. This hike was the toughest they’d conquered yet, a two-hour climb that at times was almost vertical. Her lungs burned from exertion, and her body was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, despite the cooler October temperatures. She’d pulled off her jacket and wrapped it around her waist over an hour ago.
“Hurry,” Taylor said. “We can’t miss the sunrise after all this. Just one more hill.”
She took his outstretched hand, loving the feel of his strong fingers holding hers. “I’m not about to miss it,” she said. Then, digging deep, she found her last reserves of strength and pushed through the pain, cresting the final hill a step ahead of Taylor. She inhaled sharply, then let out a small, “Oh.” The entire city of Los Angeles sprawled below them. The sun was just beginning to peek over the ocean, bathing the water in glittering light.
She put a hand to her heart, fighting tears. She felt a little like that ocean, finally glowing with light after what felt like an eternity in darkness. Taylor had helped her find that sunlight. And while he was a big part of why she was so content, she knew that she’d always had the power to make her own happiness. She’d just needed to learn how.
“Taylor, it’s beautiful,” Kate said, reaching behind her for his hand but not finding it. “Totally worth the hike. Taylor?” She turned around, not wanting him to miss this.
Taylor knelt before her in the hard dirt, dark hair wild from the hike and a smudge of dirt across one muscled shoulder. And in his hands he held a ring box. He smiled, the cleft in his chin becoming more pronounced as his eyes sparkled.
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest, but for once it was a good thing. Tears pricked at her eyes and a hand flew to her mouth.
“Kate Monroe, I love you,” Taylor said. “Our relationship’s been a little like this hike—sometimes rocky, sometimes hard, but intensely beautiful and more than worth the climb. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life conquering challenges with you by my side. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Kate flung herself at Taylor. He caught her with a laugh, pulling her to the dirt beside him. He pulled the ring out of the box, a brilliant single solitaire diamond on a gold band, and slipped it onto her finger.
“I love you,” Taylor said, brushing a sweaty strand of hair behind her ear.
“I love you, too,” Kate said. “You’ve been so good to me over the last six months. I know I come with a lot of baggage. But you’ve never complained at the pace I’ve set. I’ve fallen more in love with you as I’ve watched you practice tough love on your sister. As I’ve watched you set boundaries at work, even though it’s hard. As I’ve watched you help those who can’t help themselves.” She placed a hand on his cheek. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“We were made for each other, Kate. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives showing you just how perfect we are together.”
She knew she looked awful. Her hair and clothes were damp with sweat, her face was probably streaked with dirt, and she was dressed in a baggy shirt and loose jeans with holes in the knees. But she knew Taylor saw through her bruised, battered self to who she really was. And he loved her not in spite of her struggles, but because of them.
Kate leaned into Taylor, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. As they watched the sun rise over the valley, she knew this was the beginning of a new—and beautiful—chapter of her life. One she appreciated all the more because of her struggles.
She couldn’t wait to get started.
Sometimes love needs a helping hand…
Read the rest of the series!
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Lindzee Armstrong is the #1 best-selling author of the No Match for Love series and Sunset Plains Romance series. In case it wasn’t obvious, 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.
Strike a Match (No Match for Love Book 1) Page 9