The stadium corridors were empty and Tamera’s heels echoed with each step. Metal doors were pulled down over the concession stand openings. Thick fabric coverings hid the food carts. It was strange to be here without a crush of fans and the distant roar of a cheering crowd. Kind of eerie.
A woman appeared underneath one of the concrete gates leading up to the stands. She was tall but thin, with long sandy blond hair and a pretty smile. As Tamera got closer, she realized the woman looked young enough to still be in college.
“Hi,” the woman said brightly, extending a hand.
“Hi,” Tamera said, shaking the hand cautiously.
“You must be Tamera.” The woman laughed. “What am I saying? Of course you are. I recognize you from Eye in the Sky. I’m a huge fan of that show. Anyway, come this way, please. The audition is right through here.”
Tamera let the woman tug her through the gate. She kept chattering, not seeming to expect Tamera to do more than listen. They wove their way through the cushioned chairs next to the sideline.
“Here we are,” the woman said. Tamera still didn’t know her name.
Tamera raised an eyebrow, glancing at the pristine field of lush green grass. “The audition is on the field?”
“That’s right,” the woman said cheerfully. She pulled a stapled packet from the folder she carried and handed it to Tamera. “If you’ll just head out to the field, we can start.”
Tamera took the script, looking around for a casting director or another actor. Anyone who didn’t look like an intern. “Uh, I don’t know if my agent told you, but I haven’t had time to read through the script.”
The woman waved a hand through the air. “Not a problem. I’ll be right over there.” She pointed to a bench so far away, Tamera wondered how she’d be able to hear the audition. Tamera could project her voice pretty far, but that still seemed like an odd place to watch from.
“Okay.” Tamera flipped through the script, not really seeing the words. “Who’s reading the other part?”
“He’ll be out in a minute. You can get started without him.” The woman headed toward her faraway bench, apparently done answering questions.
“Okay then,” Tamera muttered as she walked onto the field. She slipped out of her heels and left them on the sideline, acutely aware of the punctures they’d make in the field. Soft, cool grass tickled her feet as she stopped and shaded her eyes, trying to see the woman despite the glare from the afternoon sun. “Is this okay?”
The woman held up her hand in an okay sign. “Perfect.”
“So you don’t want me to wait for the other guy?”
“Nope,” the woman called. “Start reading. He’ll be here soon enough.”
This was definitely the weirdest audition Tamera had ever been on. She focused on the page and silently read the first stage direction.
A beautiful woman steps onto the football field. Her posture is defensive, arms folded and eyes cautious. She’s scared to give the hero the power to hurt her again.
Tamera cleared her throat and began reading. “What are you doing here, Wyatt?” Her voice stumbled over the word and she looked up from the paper quickly.
“I’m here to apologize,” a deep voice said from behind her.
Tamera whirled, her hand to her chest. Wyatt stood behind her in his football jersey, staring at her with those soulful brown eyes. Her eyes drank him in and she fought the urge to throw herself into his arms.
“Wyatt,” she breathed.
A grin quirked up the corner of his mouth and he motioned to the script.
Right. The audition. Her eyes dropped back to the page, quickly finding her place. “Apologize for what?” she read.
He held a script in his own hands, but didn’t look at it. “Apologize for letting you go. For not chasing after you and convincing you of the truth. I should’ve followed you the airport and flown with you to San Antonio, if that’s what it took.”
Tamera blinked, trying to make out the words before her. “That would’ve been a little stalkerish.”
His eyes danced with humor. “Okay, yeah. But I still should’ve tried harder to convince you of the truth.”
Her eyes scanned the page and she read, her voice cracking. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. Every guy I’ve ever opened my heart to has hurt me.”
Wyatt took a step forward. Every hair on Tamera’s body stood at attention and it was suddenly very hard to breathe.
“I know,” he said, his voice a gentle caress. “And I understand why you ran. But I want to spend every day of the rest of my life proving that I’m a man worthy of your affections. Because I love you, Tamera.”
The words were blurring before her, but she made out her one-sentence reply. “What do you love about me?”
Her reached out and tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “I love the way your eyes light up when you talk about an audition you’re excited for. I love debating films with you. I love the way the wind plays with your hair when you’re driving your convertible. I love your laugh. I love how funny you are. I love a million tiny things that add up to a remarkable person who holds the key to my heart.”
Tamera glanced down at the script and realized there was nothing more written on it. She dropped the stapled pages and they floated to the field.
“There’s not an audition, is there?” she asked, making her voice teasing.
Wyatt chuckled and shook his head. “I wasn’t sure how else to get you to listen to me.”
“Well, at least I know you aren’t acting. Because I’ve seen you try and you really do stink at it.”
Another low rumble filled his chest. Tamera felt herself moving inexplicably closer. She rested her hands on his taut muscles and felt him tense beneath her palms.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking up at him. “I was so scared, and when I thought—”
He pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. “I’m the one who needs to apologize.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Not with Becky or with Drew,” he conceded, inclining his head to the side. “But if I gave you any reason to doubt me, then I messed up. Because I love you, Tamera. I’ve fallen completely, hopelessly in love with you. And I never want you to doubt that again.”
Tamera closed her eyes as a sob of pure happiness tore through her. “I love you, too. I never doubted you, Wyatt—I doubted myself. Tonight I was going to fall on me knees and beg you to give me another chance, if that’s what it took.”
His fingers caressed her cheek, trailing fire with his touch. “I never would’ve made you grovel.”
“I’m done second guessing myself,” she whispered, staring up into his eyes. “I’m all in.”
His arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her into the air. Tamera placed her hands on either side of Wyatt’s face, feeling the slight scruff beneath them.
“I’m never letting you go again,” Wyatt whispered.
“Me, either,” Tamera said.
“I’m holding you to that,” he said.
“Good.” And then she pressed her lips to his, and neither of them said anything else for a very long time.
EPILOGUE
Four Months Later
“So then the cat went totally crazy,” Tamera said. She sat in her favorite lounge chair at the back of Wyatt’s home theater, looking way too adorable in her fitted jeans and fitted T-shirt.
Wyatt nodded, trying to focus on her story as his hands shook. “Didn’t the animal trainer do anything?”
“No. I think she was in total shock or something. Anyway, the cat managed to step through the ranch dip on the food table and track it halfway across the studio before we caught him. The director was so upset he sent everyone home early so they could clean up the mess. It was insane.”
Wyatt glanced into the tub of popcorn, making sure the ring box he’d hidden was completely covered by the freshly popped kernels and M&M’s. He’d bought the ring nearly two months ago
and had been working up the courage to spring the question ever since.
The guys on the team had been shocked at how quickly Wyatt and Tamera’s relationship had moved. But to Wyatt, it felt like Tamera had always been a part of his life.
Wyatt carefully picked up the bucket and walked over to his favorite recliner, right beside Tamera’s. In the four months since he’d moved in, they’d made frequent use of the room. After a spirited debate that ended in a very pleasant kissing session, they’d decided to start with the classic silent movies from the thirties and moved forward in time to where they currently were, the nineties. The age of romantic comedies, as Tamera liked to call it.
“I’m glad you’re liking your new job so much,” Wyatt said. The film was an independent project with a first-time director, but Tamera had been cast in the lead role. Wyatt had no doubt she’d slay it.
“So much better than selling houses.” Tamera glanced around the theater room and grinned. “No offense. Anyway, how was your day?”
“Practice was great,” Wyatt said. He handed her the tub of popcorn, struggling to keep the motion casual. His heart was going to beat out of his chest if he wasn’t careful.
“So you really think you might make it to the finals this season, huh?”
“I think we have a good shot.” The team had made remarkable progress over the summer, and their first game was next week.
“That’s great, Wyatt. I’m so happy for you.” She picked up an M&M from the popcorn and grinned. “Ooo, you put M&M’s in it. Excellent.”
“I know you like it that way,” Wyatt said, struggling to keep his voice steady. Her hand dug into the popcorn and he held his breath. But she didn’t find the ring box.
“I like M&M’s in popcorn, but you don’t.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss on his cheek, sending his heart racing. “Thanks, babe. Did you hear back on the script you submitted yet?”
“Nothing yet,” Wyatt said. He’d finally sent one to a director he was distantly squinted with in Hollywood at Tamera’s suggestion. Wyatt wasn’t holding his breath—he knew the likelihood of selling the first script he ever pitched was minuscule. But he also knew that the thought of retiring from football no longer made him break out in a cold sweat. He’d enjoy his football career, however long it lasted. And when the time to retire finally came, he’d pursue screenwriting full-time.
“He’s insane if he doesn’t option it,” Tamera said.
Wyatt kissed her on the head, feeling so much love for the woman sitting beside him that his heart felt like it might burst with happiness. He glanced again at the popcorn tub and reached for the remote. “Should we start the movie?”
“Sure. What are we watching this time?”
“Runaway Bride,” Wyatt said. Natalie had finally convinced him it was the perfect film for tonight.
“Awesome.” Tamera snuggled into him as the opening credits started.
Wyatt tried his best to pay attention to the movie, but he kept eying the popcorn, monitoring how low the tub was getting. Maybe he should’ve placed it closer to the top, because this wait was going to kill him if the nerves didn’t do it first.
Tamera was completely engrossed in the movie. She uncovered the ring box, and for a moment Wyatt’s heart stopped beating as he waited for her to discover it. But her eyes never strayed from the screen and she grabbed a handful of popcorn, missing the ring box by centimeters.
As Ike made his romantic proposal to Maggie, Wyatt watched Tamera’s eyes grow luminescent with tears. She reached into the popcorn and her hand finally—finally!—hit the ring box.
“What on earth?” She glanced down, her attention pulled away from the movie for the first time since it started, and held up the ring box.
This was it. Wyatt paused the movie and took the box gently from her hand, dropping to one knee.
“Tamera Hadley,” he said quietly, flipping the box open. His hands shook, but he kept his voice steady.
“Oh my gosh,” Tamera whispered, staring at him with wide eyes.
“I didn’t write a script for this one,” he said.
She laughed, and the sound was nearly as unsteady as his hands. His heart squeeze, like it had been wrapped in a warm hug.
“But I don’t need a script to tell me I love you with my entire soul,” Wyatt said. A dozen different sentences swirled through his mind, but none of them seemed adequate for this moment. He gulped, losing himself in her hazel eyes. Finally, he settled on the truth in it’s simplest form. “I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Tamera shrieked. “I was beginning to think you’d never ask. Yes, you crazy man.”
Wyatt pulled the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger, then pulled her close and kissed her soundly. Later, he’d tell her about how long ago he’d bought the ring. How he’d taken to carrying it around in his pocket, hoping for the perfect moment to ask her to be his. But right now, he wanted to savor this moment.
Tamera Hadley was going to be his wife. He brought her hand to his lips, the sight of his diamond ring on her left hand filling him with immense pride and happiness.
Tamera laughed, wrapping her arms around Wyatt’s neck and pulling him close.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He groaned, pulling her more tightly against him. “I love you too,” he said.
And then he kissed her.
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READ MORE BY LINDZEE ARMSTRONG
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindzee Armstrong is the USA Today bestselling author of the No Match for Love series, Kiss Me series, Chasing Tomorrow 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.
Lindzee met her true love while at college, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in 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, and loves expressing that through her writing.
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Copyright © 2018 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
Tooele, UT
Print ISBN 978-0-9981667-7-3
Library of Congress Control Number 2018902308
Match Me if You Can (No Match for Love Book 7) Page 19