Miss Match

by Lindzee Armstrong

  Brooke nodded, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. “Yeah. I love you, Lucas Ryder. I always have, and I always will.”

  His good arm wrapped around her and lifted her out of the chair until their lips touched. Their first kiss. Fire exploded in Brooke’s veins, and she leaned into him. Her mouth parted, and his arms tightened around her. She had never felt a kiss so deeply. Her toes tingled. Her face burned. She let him kiss away all the hurt and pain of the last few hours, relishing the experience. It felt so … right. Like they’d been together all along.

  “I can’t believe it,” Luke whispered against her lips as he kissed her over and over again. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Brooke put her hands on his face, giving him one last kiss before she sat back down.

  “How did Antonio take it?” Luke asked.

  “Not too well. But considering I found him with a naked woman, I think he’ll rebound quickly.”

  “What?”

  So Brooke told him the rest of the story. Luke’s mouth clenched tighter and tighter as she spoke. “That animal,” he spit out. Then he called Antonio something even worse.

  Brooke put her fingers lightly over his mouth. “Shhh. It’s done.”

  “So … what about us?”

  Brooke traced a pattern on the thin hospital blanket. “I feel so betrayed. So scared to try again. You were right, Luke—I was scared to admit I need you. I’m scared to give someone else all the power.”

  “I won’t abuse it. I will spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

  “I know. But I’ll need you to be patient with me.”

  “I can do that.”

  “We’re really going to try to make this work?” She motioned between them.

  He captured both her hands in his. “We will make this work.” And then he kissed her again.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Luke eyed himself critically in his bedroom mirror. He reached up and straightened his tie, then flicked an invisible piece of lint off his suit jacket. Tonight, he wanted everything to be perfect. They’d only celebrate their two month anniversary once, after all.

  The press went wild over Brooke and Antonio’s breakup, and then her almost immediate status as Luke Ryder’s girlfriend. Brooke had mentioned multiple times that she was worried there would be fallout where Toujour was concerned, but it had only pushed sales higher. The company was now solidly in the black, and Charlotte would announce Brooke’s promotion next month.

  As for him and Brooke, the last two months hadn’t been all smooth sailing. But they were working through it together.

  Luke stuck his hand in his pocket, tracing the outline of the leather box hidden there. He took a deep breath and prayed this night would go well.

  An hour later, the limo pulled up outside Brooke’s apartment. Luke got out of the car on shaky legs. He rode up the elevator and knocked on her door.

  Brooke opened it almost immediately. Her hair was piled elegantly on top of her head in cascading curls. Her makeup was more dramatic than usual, and it made her cheekbones and eyes pop. The deep purple dress hugged her body before flaring out at the knees.

  She touched her hair self consciously. “You said formal. How do I look?”

  “Absolutely gorgeous.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, all his nerves vanishing. When he was with her, nothing scared him.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself,” Brooke said.

  He held out his arm, and she took it with a grin. “Your limo awaits, m’lady.”

  “Oooo, the limo. This is fancy.”

  “Well, it is our two month anniversary.”

  “Where are we going?” Brooke asked.

  “To Ryder Communications.”

  She raised an eyebrow, her lips curved up in a teasing grin. “That’s our fancy date?”

  “No. But the helipad is there, and we need to take the helicopter to our fancy date.”

  “Wow. You really are going all out.”

  He kissed her. “Absolutely. You’re kind of a big deal.”

  Brooke blushed, and it made her that much more adorable.

  “How were the numbers at your meeting this morning?” Brooke asked. “Is Talia’s relaunch still going strong?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned in satisfaction. “Kendall Home Systems’ might have to file bankruptcy after recalling their home automation system, but Talia 2.0 is doing fabulous. The board is solidly on my side now. I think dating you has helped.”

  Brooke laughed. “Glad to be of service.”

  They flirted and talked the entire limo ride. At Ryder Communications the building was dark, most of the employees gone for the day. But the security guard let them in, and they rode to the roof where the helicopter waited. Luke helped Brooke into the helicopter, and they admired the city lights as they flew to San Diego, where they boarded another limo.

  “Our old stomping grounds,” Brooke said as they drove through their old neighborhood. The glittering city lights reflecting off the sea. She turned to him with a grin. “We haven’t been here together in years. Think we can stop by the high school?”

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  Luke watched as Brooke’s smile grew wider and wider the closer they got to the high school. They passed by the Denny’s where they’d built a tentative friendship. The street where they’d attended a Halloween party together. The apartment complex Brooke had lived at. Then they pulled into the empty school parking lot and sat there looking at the dark buildings.

  “I would love to go inside again sometime,” Brooke said. “High school feels like a million years ago.”

  Luke opened his door and got out. “Let’s go inside,” he said, motioning for Brooke to follow him.

  She laughed. “It’s not going to be open.”

  “Humor me.”

  Brooke did, climbing out of the limo and walking hand in hand toward the front entrance of the school. He smiled as they passed the tree they’d eaten so many lunches under. Then he reached out and pulled the door open.

  Brooke stared in amazement. “You didn’t.”

  Luke grinned. “Welcome to winter formal.”

  “Oh my gosh.” Brooke tugged his hand and with a laugh he followed her inside. They passed the front office and lunch room, heading down a hallway toward the gymnasium. Brooke pushed open the door and let out a gasp. “It’s beautiful.”

  Luke looked around the gym and had to admit Andi had done well. It looked like a more elegant version of a typical prom. Tiny white Christmas lights sparkled all around the room. Crepe paper hung from the ceiling, but Andi had somehow managed to make it look nice and not tacky.

  “Oh, Luke. It’s perfect.” Brooke wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss. “Thank you.”

  He motioned to the balloon archway that created the backdrop for a typical high school dance photo. A photographer stood nearby, waiting patiently. “Shall we get our photo?” Luke asked. “I believe I was denied one at our first winter formal, since you decided to go with Chris instead of me.”

  “He asked me first,” Brooke defended. She laughed. “I wanted to go with you though.”

  She eagerly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the photographer. They did a few cheesy poses, and then Luke took her hand. “Let’s get a real one,” he said.

  Brooke nodded, wrapping her arms tightly around him so they stood cheek to cheek. The photographer snapped the photo, and then Luke pulled away and dropped to his knee.

  Brooke’s hand covered her mouth. “Luke?”

  “Brooklyn Pierce,” he said, taking her hand in his. “Eight years ago we stood in this room at winter formal and I told you I was falling in love with you. You said it was a passing thing, and my feelings would fade. But every day I fall deeper and deeper in love. I cannot imagine life without you.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring box with a trembling hand. “I know we’ve only been dating two months. Most people will say we’re moving w
ay too fast. But I’ve been waiting eight years to do this, and I don’t want to wait another day. Brooklyn Pierce, will you marry me?”

  A single tear fell down Brooke’s cheek. Her mouth stretched into a brilliant grin. “Yes. Oh please, yes.”

  Luke slipped the ring onto her finger, then stood. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” Brooke whispered.

  Luke pulled away. “I have some new rules for our relationship,” he said gruffly. “Eight years ago you implemented more rules after I told you I loved you, so it seems only right I get to pick them now.”

  Brooke laughed. “Let’s hear them.”

  He took her hands in his, his tone turning serious. “Rule #1: I promise to never let a day pass without kissing you. Rule #2: I promise to always hug you, especially for longer than three seconds. Rule #3: I promise to cuddle just for cuddling’s sake every day. Rule #4: I promise to take you on a real date at least once a week. Rule #5: I promise to never let a day pass without showing you how deeply I love and care about you. We’ll always work through our problems together. Because with you, Brooke, nothing is impossible.”

  Brooke wiped away a tear. “I have a rule to add, too,” she said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. Rule #6: I promise to never doubt your love for me again.” And then she kissed him.

  Brooke and Luke’s Rules for Their Marriage

  1. Under no circumstances can we let a day pass without kissing.

  2. Hugging is ALWAYS okay, especially if it’s longer than 3 seconds.

  3. We’ll cuddle just for cuddling’s sake every day.

  4. We’ll go on a real date at least once a week.

  5. We promise never to let a day pass without showing how deeply we love and care about each other.

  6. We promise never to doubt each other’s love.

  7. We can’t cancel dates just because we’re busy.

  8. We promise never to go to bed angry.

  9. We promise to always be there for each other.

  10. Extravagant and expensive gifts are encouraged, but not necessary.

  11. If one of us needs help, the other will drop everything and come running—no questions asked.

  12. We’ll never let a day pass without saying “I love you.”

  13. We won’t let our lives be ruled by a set of ridiculous rules. In love, there are no rules.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed reading Miss Match. If that’s the case, please consider posting a review or rating on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews really help spread the word! It’s the best way to say ‘thank you’ to any author.

  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/contact-me/. You can also sign up for regular updates via my newsletter at http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/newsletter/.

  Thank you for reading!

  Lindzee Armstrong

  Read where it all began!

  Sixteen-year-old Brooke Pierce doesn’t need her mom to tell her all boys are trouble. After watching her dad break up the family for a woman half his age, dating is the last thing on her mind.

  On the first day at a new high school Brooke meets Luke, the school flirt with a reputation for heartbreak. He’s interested. She’s not. That only makes him chase her more. After a shocking revelation from her dad, Brooke and Luke form an unexpected bond, complete with crazy rules to keep them safely in the friend zone. Problem is, that’s the worst place to be when you’re falling in love.

  Buy it here!

  Acknowledgments

  As always, this book wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of encouragement and help. First and foremost, thank you to my husband, who tells me things like, “Don’t worry about cleaning the bathrooms. I’ll do that while you write.” (Seriously, are there sexier words than those? I think not.)

  Thank you to my kids, who frequently allow me to edit uninterrupted for at least three minutes at a time while they play.

  Thank you to my accountability partners, Candice and Liz. They are always honest and encouraging, which is exactly what I need.

  To my critique group, the Authorities—LaChelle, Darren, Jacob, and David. They keep me constantly striving to improve my writing and are always spot-on with their feedback.

  To all my iWrite friends. They always make me feel welcome and awesome.

  To my beta readers. You rock! My books would be awful without you.

  And most of all, to my readers. Knowing people are reading and enjoying my stories keeps me going!

  About the Author

  Lindzee Armstrong met her match at Utah State University, although she was technically in high school at the time. She and Mr. Armstrong became engaged quickly, and fell in love even quicker. He wasn’t a high school student, but still thoughtfully offered to take her to prom in her wedding dress. She declined. Wearing the wedding dress before the Big Day just seemed weird. A few years after getting married, they welcomed twin boys into the world.

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

  Miss Match is the first novel in 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 and 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!