The Wrong Perfect Match (Fullilove in the House Book 1)

by Sidney Bristol

  He’d done that, and along the way he’d fallen for the wrong right girl. Would Brandi take him seriously? Was there anything he could do or say to prove to her he wasn’t a tool? He was just a guy who’d been after the wrong thing, but he hadn’t known it until he happened on the right thing.

  Jayden had a lot to figure out and only a little time to do it. Brandi’s continued silence wasn’t good news for them. Somehow he had to win her over, but he had no idea how to go about it or where to start. If he’d learned anything from his time with Brandi thus far, he knew the best thing to do would be to talk about it with her.

  Now if he could just get her to send him a damn pigeon or so, he knew if she’d be at home tonight or not.

  BRANDI SHUFFLED THE files from her desk into the stack she was holding. It was getting precarious, but she was a pro when it came to juggling things. She grabbed her notebooks and managed to plop them on top of her stack without dropping anything.

  She’d been lucky to get an internship position at Three Brothers Construction the last year of college. The fact that she could communicate, if poorly, in Spanish had really helped her. The atmosphere had been supportive and positive, along with the expected rough-around-the-edges humor and personalities that made up the crews. It had been a good fit for her and she’d flourished, staying on after graduation, then getting hired and promoted into this odd role she found herself in now.

  “Earth to Brandi.”

  She shook her head and stared at the oldest Rice brother. “Sorry, what was that?”

  He shook his head and laughed. “Come in here, will you? What’s on your mind?”

  She seized on the opportunity to do something that wasn’t busy work.

  Brandi was painfully aware that Jayden was likely at her house right now, waiting on her.

  Guilt stabbed at her.

  It wasn’t her fault Jayden was probably waiting for her.

  She’d told him to not come today. To reinforce that, she hadn’t looked at his texts or answered his calls. The message should be very clear.

  Then why was part of her hoping he’d wait just a few more minutes so she could see him?

  God, she was the worst best friend.

  Jayden was Nicole’s date.

  Only Nicole had her eyes on someone else. From the way she’d talked, Nicole wasn’t interested in Jayden at all. She’d thought he was too uptight and controlled. Brandi couldn’t deny that was part of who Jayden was. But she also understood his need for control.

  Jayden hadn’t talked about his twin or biological mother much, but he got a certain look on his face. It was full of concern, as if he worried about them constantly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was misunderstood.

  Stop it.

  She shook her head and walked after her boss into his office.

  What was she doing with Jayden?

  She hadn’t asked to get dragged into this. No part of her had wanted to be attracted to Jayden. But she had to give it to him, he’d taken her challenge and one upped her. Now she had to wonder, was she the one getting played?

  Her gut said a swift, No!

  He was waiting at her place.

  She just knew it.

  What was she going to do?

  “Sit.” Mr. Rice gestured to the large arm chair.

  The Rice family had been great to her. Truly wonderful people. She wouldn’t go so far as to call them her family. That was a bit too familiar. It was obvious they cared about everyone who worked for their growing company. But she’d always felt particularly looked after. Especially by the oldest Rice brother. He was fatherly and kind.

  If Brandi could have described her ideal father, he’d be a lot like Mr. Rice.

  “We need to figure out what to do about you.” Mr. Rice sank into the rolling chair behind his desk and tugged at the top button of his shirt. His tie hung almost off the desk, forgotten no doubt.

  “Sorry, sir. What?” Brandi blinked at him several times, her heart suddenly in her throat.

  “Don’t look at me like that. It’s nothing bad.” He held up his hands and grinned sheepishly. For a man in his fifties, he could turn on the boyish charm every now and then. “Shit. Karen was right. I should have waited for her to talk to you.”

  Brandi sat up a little straighter and shoved Jayden out of her mind. “About what? You aren’t putting my mind at ease here.”

  “I just mean, you’ve been a great help. First you come in right before everything in the office imploded and saved us. Then again, when Keegan quit, you took over everything he did. And now you’re doing three jobs and excelling at it.” He shrugged. “What are we going to do with you?”

  “Uh, give me a raise? I’m not exactly sure what the problem is.” Mr. Rice’s assistant wound up having to move across the country suddenly because of her husband’s job. It had left the construction company in a lurch, so the obvious thing for Brandi to do had been to step in.

  “There isn’t a problem.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Well, not yet. You’re doing a fantastic job, but I selfishly don’t want you to burn out. Which leads me to ask, what do you want to do?”

  This was surreal. She could almost hear Jayden telling her to ask for that raise. Was this because of him?

  Brandi could feel sweat breaking out along her spine and under her arms.

  What did she want to do?

  It seemed like that question dominated most of her mind right now.

  What did she want to do about Jayden? Nicole? Now work?

  “Brandi, are you okay?” Mr. Rice pushed to his feet.

  “Sorry.” She held up a hand. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Is something wrong?” He dragged his chair closer to her, concern etched into every line of his face. And there were a lot of lines. Most of them laugh lines around his mouth and eyes that spoke to the soul inside.

  “You scared me there for a second.” She pressed her hand against her chest.

  “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you’ve been distracted this week. Is something going on?”

  Denial was on the tip of her tongue. And yet, she couldn’t say the words. Nothing came out right, or at all.

  She let her face fall into her hand and groaned. “I’m sorry. I’ll handle it.”

  “Brandi? Hey, I don’t want to overstep here, but if you need anything I’m here for you. Is something going on? Can Karen help? She’ll come up here. I’ll call her now. You know we care about you. Like family. You’re one of us.”

  “Please don’t call your wife.” She was ready to make a mad grab for his phone.

  Karen Rice was one of those force-of-nature women. Brandi liked her. A lot. But she was already swept up in what felt like one storm. Adding Mrs. Rice would make it that much worse.

  No, Brandi would much prefer the calmer Mr. Rice.

  “Okay, well, can I do anything?” he asked.

  She sighed. “No. It’s a guy thing.”

  “You’re dating?” He perked up at that.

  “No. It’s my roommate’s...” Brandi groaned. “It’s complicated.”

  “Now I want to know.” He grinned, flashing dimples at her.

  She bit her lip and considered it for a moment.

  Nicole was her go-to person to talk to, but it wasn’t like Brandi could discuss the situation with Nicole right now. At least not until the test was over. And even then Brandi wasn’t sure what to say.

  She hadn’t physically crossed any boundaries. There was nothing to be ashamed of. But she knew her heart and what she wanted to do.

  Brandi started talking, intending to stick to the facts, but found herself pausing to share moments from the last few days. Like talking about Jayden’s past made Brandi a little homesick. Mr. Rice chuckled and commented, but didn’t offer much in the way of feedback. So she kept talking, unable to stop herself from laying it all out there. Every bit of it, even the stuff she wasn’t proud of.

  “All this since Sunday? Wow.” Mr
. Rice rubbed his temple. “That is a situation you’re in. I think you’ve got a good plan to talk things out with Nicole. It’s reasonable, and it sounds like it’ll work out. How about we schedule time next week to discuss what you want your job to look like? Work this out with your roommate, maybe get a first date in, then we can worry about office stuff. How’s that sound?”

  “Generous.” Brandi was relieved to not be on the spot.

  “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We were lucky to find you when we did. If you ever want to move on to something else, everyone is going to understand. But—if I can keep you around here, I’m going to try. It’s hard to find people as reliable and thorough as you are. Besides, you get me. Not everyone does.”

  Unexpected feelings bubbled up inside Brandi. On one hand, it felt good to get everything that had been in her head out. On the other, it left her emotionally unstable. A touching statement like Mr. Rice’s was just trying to push her over the edge.

  Brandi clutched the stack of stuff on her lap. “Thank you. Really, I mean it. I...”

  Emotion clogged her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold it all in.

  When she’d left her grandparent’s house the last thing her mother said to her was that she’d never make anything of herself and would never matter to anyone.

  Mr. Rice was telling her she mattered, and for some reason hearing it from him meant more to her than she could wrap her head around.

  “I’d like to give you a hug. Is that okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  He took the files and notebooks from her and set them on the corner of his desk. Before she could stand, he knelt next to her and hugged her. She inhaled sharply, recalling all too well the strong arms of her grandfather.

  She held on for a few more moments before letting him go.

  Mr. Rice leaned back, settling on one knee as he peered into her eyes. “You know if you ever need something—even just a day off—you just have to say the word.”

  “But work is my coping mechanism.” She swiped at her cheeks quickly before any moisture could become a tear.

  “Mine, too.” He winked at her.

  They both chuckled.

  “Thank you, Mr. Rice.”

  He sighed. “Are you ever going to stop calling me that? Mr. Rice is my dad.”

  “Nope.”

  “Fine. Then get out of here. Go. And take tomorrow off my orders. We’ll figure everything else out... Friday?” He tilted his head to the side and ticked the days off on his fingers. “Take the next two days off and we’ll talk Monday.”

  Brandi gaped at him. Tomorrow she had to file plans and a dozen other things. “Uh, but—”

  “No buts. I mean it. You never take time off and you’re always worried about everyone else.” He pushed to his feet and planted his hands on his hips, doing a rather good impression of an admonishing father. “This is me looking out for you as your friend and your boss. Take a day. Do something for you. If I see you up here, I’ll call Karen and have her squeeze you in.”

  “Please no...” Brandi whispered.

  Karen Rice owned a chain of salons and spas. She’d met her husband when he’d been tapped to build her first salon years ago. Karen had gifted Brandi vouchers a few times. While Nicole had loved the treatments, Brandi had never quite gotten comfortable with so many people’s hands on her.

  Mr. Rice stuck his finger in her face. “I’ll do it.”

  She glared at him. “You’re cruel.”

  He grinned back. “I’m the oldest of three and I have three girls of my own.”

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “See how you get by for two days without me.”

  “You mean, see how much we value you? By Monday we’ll be ready to say yes to whatever you want.” He winked at her.

  She grabbed the black notebook out of the stack and flipped it open to her list for tomorrow. “This is everything that needs doing while I’m out. And don’t forget, Friday is donut day.”

  Mr. Rice took the list, his eyes growing wider. “Uh, hold on one second...”

  “Nope.” Brandi stood and turned. “See you Monday. You have to file plans tomorrow, too, or you’ll miss the deadline.”

  “Damn it. What have I done?” he muttered while a laugh shook his voice.

  She smiled as she strode out of the office and down the hall.

  Brandi had found her family. They weren’t related by blood, but by the ties that connected them. It included all three of the Rice brothers, their wives and kids. The office staff. Nicole. The friends they’d made. Brandi wasn’t alone.

  She still didn’t know what the hell to do or think about Jayden, but she’d found her anchor.

  Now she just had to deal with the man that was likely irritated with her.

  In her defense, she had told him not to show up...

  WOMEN NEVER SAID WHAT they meant.

  Except in Brandi’s case.

  Jayden mentally kicked himself. Again.

  Maybe he should try being more conventional. After all, wasn’t he more traditional in every other way? Why wasn’t he listening to what Brandi was telling him?

  Showing up at Nicole’s door hadn’t turned out how he’d expected it. Now, showing up in Brandi’s driveway was going just as poorly as Sunday had. Only the prolonged silence was worse than Brandi’s verbal smack down. Both were reactions. Both let him know he’d fucked up. So why did the silence sting so much more?

  Because there was no Brandi. And he missed her. He missed her sass, her smart mouth, how talking to her about her life made him see his own in a different light. He just missed her.

  Over the last few days, he’d had more anticipation bubbling inside of him about hanging out with Brandi than he’d had in the month of talking to Nicole.

  Then there was last night.

  He recalled gripping the side of the hutch so tight that his hand ached, all in an effort to stay right where he was.

  That spark last night hadn’t been his imagination.

  Last night they’d both felt something. A shift between them. Before, he hadn’t been willing to let go of his idea of Nicole being The One. In that moment, when he’d been lost in Brandi’s hazel eyes, he’d known the truth. He couldn’t fight it anymore.

  He’d been in love with the idea of him and Nicole. But he didn’t have feelings for Nicole.

  Not like he did with Brandi.

  Maybe he’d been aware of it, felt it coming on, yet willful ignorance had kept him blind until last night. He’d thought Brandi was a hurtle, something to be overcome. He hadn’t realized she was the destination. The place where he wanted to be.

  Jayden tipped his head back.

  There was some guilt. He couldn’t let go of the idea of being with Nicole and not feel it.

  He’d hurt her feelings. Made her feel less than. And that was something he would have to fix. But he’d have to do so in a way that left him on friendly terms with Nicole. She wasn’t just Brandi’s roommate. They were sisters. As close, or closer than blood. He didn’t want to come between them, but he also didn’t want to let go of Brandi.

  Just a few days ago, he’d thought Nicole might be the woman he spent the rest of his life with. What the hell did he know about finding a perfect match?

  Maybe there were no perfect matches. Could be he had it all wrong. Either way, he wanted to make time for whatever this was.

  Brandi got him. They connected. How many times had they each said over the last two days that no one else got something? That even their closest friends or family didn’t understand? There was something there that had been missing with Nicole and every other person Jayden had dated or been friends with.

  Brandi fit him. She might just be his perfect match, only he hadn’t seen it at first. And now he might have screwed up. Again.

  What was the right thing to do?

  He had a feeling that if he left and waited for Brandi to get back to him, she’d never call. She ha
d her priorities with work, finding her father, her side business and Nicole. That much Brandi had made clear to him. Which meant the only way to get her to pay attention to him was to find ways to fit into her life.

  If he hadn’t felt the pull, maybe he’d be okay walking away from her. But it had been so long since Jayden felt sparks or excitement that he couldn’t walk away. Not without trying.

  So what if his path to that house and white picket fence wasn’t the straight shot he imagined for himself?

  Asher always took risks. He jumped when opportunity came his way.

  Jayden didn’t. He sat back, waited, weighed, considered. He had no doubt that he’d missed out on things, relationships, experiences. He didn’t mind being cautious. That was where he was comfortable. But now? Now he had to take a risk.

  Headlights illuminated the lane that ran behind the houses. He’d parked in one of a few spots big enough for a car while also allowing driving space.

  A now familiar beat up red truck eased into the driveway.

  He wanted to rush over and throw open her door, make sure she was okay. But he didn’t. Instead he remained where he was.

  Brandi had been clear with him. Jayden hadn’t listened. It seemed that was a thing with him. His stubbornness dug him in deep.

  He’d just thought...

  But it didn’t matter.

  He was here. She was here. What came next could take any choice away from him.

  The truck engine cut off and the front door opened then shut. He could make out her shadow, but nothing else.

  He remained where he was, torn between staying and being stubborn or leaving the ball in her court and going home.

  “Are you coming inside or what?” Brandi called out. Her tone was weary, maybe a touch annoyed.

  He pushed off his car and headed around the back of the truck.

  Brandi stood there next to the driver’s side door. She had her purse on one shoulder, freeing up one arm to clutch a stack of something to her chest, and a heavy work tote in her other hand. It was hard to make out her expression in the shadows. She looked so different in her work attire. Who would assume this refined woman wearing slacks and a simple white blouse that fastened with a bow around her neck was the same one that liked neon spandex?