“Ready,” Luke said.
“Good. Andi’s already in the limo.”
As they drove to the same hotel the gala had been held at, Luke couldn’t help but think how much things had changed in six weeks. He hoped tonight wouldn’t end in as big of a disaster as the last gala had.
Andi patted his knee and smiled encouragingly, but didn’t say anything. Luke took her hand and squeezed it. He appreciated her silence.
Luke saw the camera flashes from a block away. “Let’s do this thing,” Mitch said, and they stepped out of the limo. Luke pasted on his best media smile and posed for photos, arm wrapped around Andi, before entering the grand ballroom. The holiday decor had been replaced with marketing materials and booths where attendees could test out Talia 2.0’s various features. Red banners hung from the ceiling with Talia’s logo, and Ryder Communications employees in easily distinguishable polo shirts were present everywhere to answer questions.
Luke scanned the room for Brooke. He found her near the dance floor. Right next to Antonio.
Luke breathed deeply through the pain. He still had six weeks before she moved. Six weeks to change her mind.
Andi took his hand and squeezed. “You okay?”
Luke opened his mouth to respond, but a hand clapped on his shoulder. Darius.
“I must say, Luke, I never thought we’d get here,” Darius said. “But the numbers we’re seeing from the pre-orders are very encouraging. I think we’re nearly out of the woods.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” Luke said, making his voice light and airy.
“This must be the lovely young woman you’re dating.”
“Yes. Reginald, this is my girlfriend, Andi. Andi, Reginald is chairman of the board of directors.”
Andi took Darius’ hand in hers. “Such a pleasure.”
Darius chuckled. “I assure you, the pleasure is mine. We’d begun to wonder if a woman would ever snag Luke on a permanent basis.”
Andi laughed. She was good at playing her part, Luke would give her that. “I consider myself lucky he remained unattached for so long.”
All too soon, it was time for Luke to give a presentation on Talia 2.0. He did a demonstration of the new and improved program, and the response from the audience was thunderous applause. Luke knew this time they were delivering a solid product. But a part of him still missed the old Talia, bugs and all. He knew his father would be proud he’d made the changes though.
“Well done,” Andi said when he had managed to escape the hand shaking and congratulations after his presentation. She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
And that’s when Luke saw Brooke. Her arm was looped through Antonio’s, but her eyes were hurt. He wished he could talk to her—assure her the kiss was all for the press. But he couldn’t.
Luke took Andi’s hand and quickly led her to Brooke.
“Great job,” Brooke said. Her smile seemed forced, her eyes sparkling with tears. “This product’s going to go nuts.”
“Let’s hope so. The pre-sale numbers are encouraging.”
“That was a great speech,” Antonio said. His eyes gleamed wickedly. “I barely even noticed you stumbling over your words at the beginning. The product is fabulous.”
“Antonio,” Brooke said. She had a tight smile on her lips, the one that said I’ll-reprimand-you-for-this-later. “The presentation was perfect.”
“Luke.”
They all turned. Mitch hurried through the crowd, muttering “excuse me” as he accidentally bumped into someone.
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?” Please say no. Flashbacks of the last gala had his stomach twisting.
“You aren’t going to believe this.” Mitch handed his phone to Luke. A web page was pulled up. “Kendall issued a recall of all their home automation systems. They didn’t put it through proper testing, and three fires have been started from the control panel. A house burned completely down.”
“Oh my gosh,” Brooke said.
“It’s fine, no one was hurt and Kendall will pick up the tab for whatever insurance doesn’t cover,” Mitch said. “Do you know what this means?”
Luke stared at Mitch, and then they burst out laughing.
“We’re in the clear,” Mitch said. “You did it, man.”
Luke nodded, his eyes locked on Brooke’s. One crisis averted. Now to avoid another one.
*
“Are you sure you won’t run the office here?” Charlotte asked Brooke.
Brooke shook her head. “I’m happy to transfer to Rome.”
Charlotte sighed, pushing away from her desk and placing a book on a shelf. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I’m happy to have you in Rome, but there’s no one else I trust as much to run things here when I go back to France.”
“So we’re in the clear?” Brooke asked.
Charlotte nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I think it’s safe to say the company is stable here, at least for a while.”
“Andi and Luke seem very happy.” Brooke twisted her engagement ring around and around on her finger. Luke kept saying he loved her, that Andi was all for the press. But every time Andi kissed him, every time Brooke saw a photo of them holding hands, it stung.
She wished they were moving to Italy tomorrow. It was hard to put Luke behind her when he was constantly around. She could feel the distance growing between her and Antonio, and she was desperate to reclaim what they’d once had. He was her choice, who she wanted to be with. Compatibility ratings weren’t everything.
Charlotte sank back into her chair, her eyes soft. “Surely you know Andi and Luke won’t last. I’ve trained you well enough that you should recognize the signs. They’re attracted to each other, but not in love.”
Brooke looked down. “And if they aren’t the real thing, what will happen when they break up? For Toujour, I mean.”
“Nothing. Couples get together. They break up.” She leaned forward. “And this is strictly between the two of us, but I have another celebrity who has approached me all on his own about signing with Toujour. This guy really wants to find someone.” Charlotte straightened her pencils on her desk. “If you were to date Luke, Brooke, I wouldn’t be overly worried about the effect it would have on Toujour.”
Brooke’s head whipped up. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve been a matchmaker for twenty-one years. I know what love looks like.”
Brooke opened her mouth to protest, but Charlotte waved a hand. “I’ve got work I can’t put off any longer. And if you change your mind, the promotion here is still on the table.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Brooke glanced around the conference room at Toujour. It teemed with employees, all laughing and talking as they drank wine and enjoyed finger foods. A banner reading “congratulations” hung on one wall with balloons underneath it. But the focal point of the room was the cover of Allure magazine. A picture of Charlotte graced the front, with the headline, “Matchmaker Revolutionizes Love with Toujour.”
A national magazine. And Toujour was in it. This on the heels of a popular movie star signing with the company, all of his own accord. Andi and Luke’s relationship was still going strong in the press, but the actor’s signing had started to draw the spotlight away from them. Brooke had a feeling that if they did break up, things would be okay.
But would they break up?
She glanced over at Luke, standing in the corner of the room with Andi. Their heads were close together, both of them laughing. They seemed to be getting along really well.
Charlotte came over to Brooke, a satisfied smile on her face. “The party is great. Thanks for taking care of it. What’s that saying? This party is the best thing since sliced cake.”
Brooke hid a smile. “I was happy to do it. I’m so relieved Toujour won’t have to close.”
“You and me both.” Charlotte let out a sigh. “I wish I could persuade you to stay.”
Brooke swallowed hard. The Rome office would be so different from here
—nearly fifty matchmakers instead of ten, not to mention the culture shock she’d be experiencing. “I need to go,” she said.
“Where’s your fiancé? I would think Antonio would want to celebrate this with you.”
“He’s painting. He’s falling behind on his deadline.” And they’d had a huge argument last night about some stupid wedding detail. She frowned. Ever since he returned from Italy, they’d never seemed to get back in sync with each other.
Charlotte gave Brooke a sideways glance. “That’s too bad. Well, I’d better get this party started.” She walked to the head of the conference table and tapped on her wine glass.
Zoey sidled up next to Brooke. “Looks like we’ll make rent next month after all,” she whispered.
“Thank you all for being here today,” Charlotte said in her heavily accented French. “Two months ago, I thought something like this would be impossible. We owe it all to Brooke and Luke.” She lifted her glass, her gaze meaningful. “To Brooke and Luke.”
Brooke and Luke. Brooke forced a smile and raised her own glass, taking a small sip along with everyone else. Their names had always been linked together. It was never Brooke and Antonio. It was Brooke and Luke.
“Speech,” Zoey called. Brooke swatted her.
“Yes, we should have a speech.” Charlotte turned to Luke. “The ceiling is yours.”
“The floor,” Lianna corrected, and everyone laughed.
Luke stepped away from Andi and took Charlotte’s spot. He cleared his throat. “What can I say? If not for Toujour, I wouldn’t be standing in this room right now, with the love of my life.” His eyes locked onto Brooke’s, drawing her in. “Toujour gave me my life back. It gave me a reason to fight, a reason to become a better man. For that I will always be grateful.” He raised his glass. “To love.”
“To love,” everyone echoed. Luke walked back to Andi, who offered him a smile. And that’s when Brooke saw it—friendship. She saw what she would’ve seen a long time ago, if she hadn’t been so close to the situation.
There was no love for Luke in Andi’s eyes, or in his for her. Only friendship and a mutual respect. Luke really wasn’t into Andi.
And I really love Luke.
Zoey playfully shoved Brooke. “Your turn,” she said.
Brooke nodded, walking to the front of the room. She glanced out over the crowd. “I want to thank Charlotte for going along with my crazy idea, and Luke for agreeing to it.” Through the glass of the conference room wall, she could just make out the corner of the cork board in the front lobby, covered in wedding invitations. I don’t want to go to Italy, she realized. I want to stay right here, forever. Luke smiled at Brooke, and her heart melted. I want to give Luke a chance. I believe in our eighty-three percent.
The realization took her breath away.
Zoey nodded her head encouragingly. Brooke cleared her throat. “I believe in matchmaking, and I believe it works. I’m glad we’re finally proving that to everyone. Ten couples have put their files on hold this week after finding love. If not for Luke, those couples never would’ve met each other.” She lifted her glass. “To many happy years, and many happy couples.”
“Hear, hear!” one of the other matchmakers cheered. The room broke up into pleasant chatter, and Brooke made her way back to Luke.
He reached forward and gave her a hug. She savored the feel of his arms around her, melting into him. “I’m glad it worked,” he said.
“Me too.” Brooke pulled away, focusing on Andi. “And thank you, Andi. You’re a big part of this too.”
Andi smiled. She glanced around, then leaned forward so only Luke and Brooke could hear. “I’m ready for the charade to be over.” She gave Luke a teasing wink. “Think we can break up soon?”
Brooke blinked. Was Andi joking or serious?
“Sure,” Luke said. He nudged Andi with his shoulder. “I was kind of getting sick of you anyway.”
Brooke had refused to see it for weeks. She could move to Italy with Antonio. They could get married. And they would be happy, mostly. But it wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to stay here with Luke, in California. She wanted to be head of the Los Angeles office.
She wanted him.
“Are you okay?” Luke asked, his brow furrowed.
“Yes,” Brooke gasped. She shook her head as though to clear it. She’d been such an idiot all these years. Luke wasn’t her father. He was worth the risk.
She had to break up with Antonio. She couldn’t believe she was even considering it. But it wasn’t fair to either of them. She loved Antonio. But she loved Luke more.
“I have to go,” Brooke murmured.
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Looks like the party might continue for a while still.”
“I know. Can I come over later tonight?” She swallowed. “We can talk.”
“Sure,” Luke said, his eyes softening with hope. “Can I … help you with anything?”
“No, thanks. There’s something I need to do, and I’ve gotta do it on my own.”
She gave Zoey a reassuring wave and left the room, her footsteps determined. She wasn’t being fair to anyone by continuing to force something that wasn’t right. It was time to give Antonio back his ring, and take a risk with Luke.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Brooke trudged up the stairs to Antonio’s top floor apartment for the last time. She paused at his door, staring at it for a long moment. Their entire relationship flashed through her mind—meeting him in the club on their first official date, where they’d danced the night away and he’d made her feel like an Italian princess. Shyly admitting to him she was ready to put her file with Toujour on hold and be exclusive. The proposal. All the million little moments, both good and bad, that together added up to a life. A relationship. A future that would never be. There would be so much to do after she walked out of that apartment—a venue to cancel, gifts to return, a wedding dress to sell. Was it worth it? Was Luke worth it?
She remembered his teasing grin the first day they’d met. The easy way he’d accepted her ridiculous rules for their friendship. Lying on the hood of his truck, looking at stars on warm summer nights. The way her skin burst into flame when he casually brushed his fingers over her arm. The sting of her hand as she slapped his cheek, realizing he’d loved her for years. The blinding fear that something would happen, and she’d lose him for good. The heat in his gaze when he locked eyes with her, trying to reassure her he was in it for the long haul.
Was Luke worth this risk? Yes.
She took a deep breath. “Just get it over with,” she whispered, and knocked. She waited for the patter of Antonio’s feet, but heard nothing but silence inside. Brooke knocked again.
Nothing.
Maybe he’s out on a walk. Or is in the restroom. She stood there for a moment, debating what to do. She should leave and come back later.
But then she might lose her nerve. Breaking Antonio’s heart wouldn’t be easy.
Brooke raised her hand and knocked again. She heard a few footsteps, then the door opened. “Brooke.” Antonio was dressed in paint-splattered jeans and a white T-shirt, lifted to expose a strip of his belly.
“Hey,” Brooke said. She shifted from foot to foot. He looked adorable, with his mussed hair and sleepy eyes. “Did I wake you?”
“Just taking a quick nap.” He didn’t open the door to invite her in. “What’s wrong? I thought you were at the party.”
Brooke took a deep breath. Maybe it would be easier to do it here, do it now. “There’s something I need to tell you.” Her eyes stung with tears, and she looked down, blinking quickly.
You can still back out. You don’t have to do this.
But she did.
“Antonio, I can’t marry you.”
He let out a strangled growl. “What?”
“Antonio?” The voice came from inside the apartment, and was definitely feminine.
Antonio’s eyes grew wide with panic. He glanced inside the apartment.
Something cli
cked in Brooke’s head. The midday sleepy eyes. The door he’d kept half-closed since opening it.
“Do you have a woman in there?” Brooke whispered.
Antonio’s eyes flew back to hers. “Just a model. For a painting.”
Brooke pushed Antonio aside, entering the apartment. Sunlight streamed through the windows, setting the place aglow. There, in the middle of the room surrounded by drop cloths, stood an easel. And on the easel set a painting. But not a landscape.
A portrait of a nude woman. Lying on his couch. Antonio’s favorite gray scarf draped over her legs but covering nothing.
Brooke whirled on Antonio. “Who is she? Where is she?” When did he start doing nudes? She felt sick. Violated.
“Antonio?” the sleepy voice asked again. It came from above. The loft. A blonde head appeared at the top of the ladder. She was completely naked. The woman let out a shriek and stepped back.
Brooke stood there, taking it all in. The woman had been in his bed.
He’s cheating on me. She couldn’t absorb it. He’s cheating on me! And she had worried about feeling things for Luke. Meanwhile, Antonio was sleeping with someone else.
Brooke picked up the red stiletto near her foot and threw it at Antonio.
“It’s not what you think,” he said.
“You’re cheating on me,” Brooke said. She let out a disbelieving gasp. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
The woman appeared at the top of the ladder, this time dressed. “I thought she was at a party,” the woman spat.
“Jeanette, I think you should go.” Antonio reached for Brooke, his eyes desperate.
She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
Jeanette scampered past, sending both of them a heated glare. The door shut with a bang.
“It isn’t what you think—” Antonio began again.
Brooke folded her arms, the sting of betrayal slicing across her heart. “And what do you think I think?”
He sighed. “Jeanette’s a model. I’ve been painting her.”
“Yeah, I saw.”
“For the gallery, Brooke. She came over for a session early this morning. I was still upset about our fight. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” He reached for her again, but Brooke swatted his hand away.
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