Not Your Match (5 page)

Madelynn pulled out a keyring with three keys on it—two silver, and one brass, similar to the one Andi had for her mail cubby downstairs. “Can you hold on to the keys for us so someone can get in if needed? Once we find a listing agent or property management company, they’ll come get one of them for the lock box.”

“Of course,” Andi said, taking the keys. “Talk about crummy timing.”

“You’re telling me. It’s expensive enough in the Cayman Islands without having to pay the mortgage on our condo here, too.”

Something tickled at the back of Andi’s mind, and she remember her conversation with Ben on Friday. “I might know someone who will rent the condo,” Andi said.

“Are you serious?”

Andi nodded. “One of my friends moved back to town. Your one-bedroom would be perfect for him.”

“What’s he like?” Madelynn asked.

“He’d be a great tenant. He used to flip houses, so he’s very handy with home repairs. Here.” Andi pulled out her phone and scrolled to Ben’s Facebook page. She found the proper album and handed it to Madelynn.

“It’s a beautiful house,” Madelynn said. She handed it back. “He does good work.”

“And he’s very responsible and really nice. He’s a high school science teacher so he has a stable job.”

“You really think he’ll be interested?”

Andi nodded. “I’ll talk to him tonight.”

“That would be awesome.” Madelynn stood and hugged Andi. “Feel free to show him the condo and give him my number.”

“I’ll do that.” Andi walked Madelynn to the door and gave her friend one last hug. “I’m going to miss you. Drive safe to Oregon, and have a blast in the Cayman Islands. Drink a piña colada for me.”

“I will. Thanks again, Andi.”

Andi shut the door, her mind whirling. She couldn’t wait to tell Ben.

In the car, Andi flipped on the radio, turning to a channel that played Christmas music. “All of Los Angeles is abuzz today,” the radio announcer said. “Billionaire Luke Ryder has now been on five first dates and shows no signs of picking a girl and sticking with her.”

“The spotlight’s not for everyone,” the female DJ said. “I feel bad for his dates. They all seem to crack under the pressure, and then get blasted on social media.”

“Well, you think they’d have the common sense to not get wasted on a date where they know they’re being photographed.”

“That was one time with one girl. Maybe she realized Luke’s not ready for a relationship and lost it,” the female announcer said. “I mean, look at his dating history before Toujour. Those girls weren’t exactly wife material.”

“He’s waiting for the right girl to convince him to settle down,” the male announcer said.

“Is that what you’re waiting for?” the female announcer shot back.

“Maybe. Start filling out your dating profiles, girls. Luke Ryder’s still on the prowl. And now, we’ll go to Doug for a traffic update.”

Andi rolled her eyes. Honestly, what did people expect from a matchmaking company? If she ever decided to date again—and that was a pretty big if—that would be the last place she’d look.

Andi pulled up to Rachel and Adam’s house at 5:14. Barely even late. She would’ve been on time if not for Madelynn, but she was sure Ben would be glad Andi had taken the time. Andi knocked on the front door, the oversized evergreen wreath brushing against her coat.

A moment later, the door swung open. Ben stood there in a T-shirt with a picture of the Grinch on the front, his white socks poking out of the bottom of his jeans. Andi laughed, pointing to his shirt.

“Does this mean you’re grouchy?” she asked.

Ben grinned. “Come inside and see.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Christmas music filled the home, peaceful and calm. The scent of roasting turkey permeated the air. “Smells delicious,” Andi said.

“I’ve been salivating all afternoon. Adam ran to the store, and Rachel is upstairs getting ready. Can I get you a drink or anything?”

Andi slipped out of her coat, then hung it in the coat closet. “In a minute. I have something to tell you.”

Ben raised an eyebrow and followed her into the living room. They both sank onto the couch. Ben angled his body toward hers, giving her his full attention.

“Are you still looking for an apartment?” Andi asked.

“Absolutely. I’ve looked at a few this week, but they’re all dives. What have you got?”

“My neighbors are moving to the Cayman Islands for medical school, and their renter fell through.”

His shoulders slumped. “It’s probably out of my price range. I’m a humble science teacher, not a hot-shot lawyer like you.” He nudged her foot with his.

“Hey now, even hot-shot lawyers have budgets. I bet it’s not as pricey as you’d expect. If you’re interested, I have the keys—we could go take a look around.”

Ben rubbed his jaw. “I don’t know. Do you have any idea how much they’re asking?”

“None. But it doesn’t hurt to at least look, right?” It would be so fun to have Ben as a neighbor. Andi loved the idea of running into him at the mail cubby and chatting about their day. Maybe even sharing takeout at one of their condos occasionally.

“I guess you’re right. When works for you?”

“How about tomorrow?”

“On Christmas?”

Andi shrugged. “My parents are in New York, so I don’t really have plans.” She’d thought about spending the day at the office, but it was too pathetic. Her plans included watching Christmas movies and drinking eggnog. “If you want to do it a different day, though, that’s fine.”

“No, tomorrow works for me too.” He glanced over his shoulder, then leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I was looking for an excuse to escape for a few hours. I wanted to give the newlyweds some privacy on their first Christmas. What time?”

“Is nine too early?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Andi, you’re here.” Rachel walked into the room and leaned down for a hug. She sank into the love seat across from Andi and Ben. “What are we talking about?”

“Ben’s going to look at a condo in my building that’s for rent,” Andi said.

Rachel glanced at Ben. “Are you sure that’s the best idea? You know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”

“I appreciate that. You and Adam have been great. But I can’t stay with you forever. I’m going to at least go check out the condo.”

“I don’t plan on you staying here forever,” Rachel said. “Just until you and Whitney work things out. What if she doesn’t like the apartment you choose?”

Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Since we broke up, I’m guessing it doesn’t really matter.”

“Don’t say that. You two will work things out eventually.”

“Not this time.”

Andi looked back and forth between Rachel and Ben. What was going on? Rachel opened her mouth to say more, but a door slammed shut, and Adam walked into the kitchen, a grocery bag in his hand.

“I have the whipped cream,” he said. “Oh, hey, Andi. Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks for having me,” Andi said. She stared at Rachel, and her friend looked away, lips pursed. Why was Rachel so determined to get Ben and Whitney back together?

Adam put the whipped cream in the fridge, then pulled a bottle of wine from the under-counter cooler. “Have you gotten drinks yet?”

“No, Andi just got here,” Rachel said.

Adam nodded and pulled down four glasses. A moment later, they all sat in the living room, sipping their wine.

“So how is work going, Andi?” Adam asked.

Andi thought of the greedy client who’d signed divorce papers mere hours ago. “Good,” she said. “My dad’s letting me take on solo cases now, which is great.” At least, it was a step in the right direction.

“Have you gone on any dates lately?” Rachel asked.

Andi groaned. Nothing like an abrupt segue. “Please, Rach.”

“It’s a fair question. You’ve been moping around for six months.”

“I’m not moping.” Andi took a long swallow of wine. Yes, she’d missed Mark. But she’d more missed what he represented—a future that vanished with a single phone call.

“You need to get back out there and start dating.”

“You sound like my mother. I don’t have time for dates.”

“You have to make time for the important things in life, Andi. There is nothing more fulfilling than a loving, committed relationship.”

Andi rolled her eyes. “Obviously if I’m single, I must be miserable.”

Adam cleared his throat. “Uh, the water heater’s been making some weird noises lately, Ben. Would you mind checking it out with me?”

Ben jumped to his feet. “Sure. Let’s go look at it now.”

Andi took another sip from her glass and watched as the men disappeared from the room. “Now you’ve run off the boys with your pestering. You newlyweds are determined to send everyone else to the altar at a dead sprint.”

Rachel’s eyes clouded and her lips turned down in a frown. “It’s my fault you aren’t. I never should’ve gotten Mark that interview in New York.”

“Hey, now. You didn’t.” She’d gotten him an interview in Los Angeles, and the station manager liked him so much, he’d recommended him for the New York job. Andi hadn’t even known New York was a possibility until Mark already said yes to the position. “You’ve got to stop blaming yourself.”

“I feel like the whole thing’s my fault.”

“If Mark and I were meant for each other, we would’ve made the long distance thing work. Seriously, I’m fine. It’s nice to be single for a change.”

Rachel gave her a
you poor thing
frown. She walked over to the Christmas tree and grabbed an envelope from underneath it, then handed it to Andi. “I wanted to give you your Christmas present without the guys around. I’ve already paid for three months, so you can’t say no. It’s non-refundable and non-transferable. I made sure.”

Andi took the envelope with dread and slid a fingernail underneath the flap. “What did you do?”

“Just read.”

Andi pulled out the sheet of paper and stared. In bold lettering across the top, it said
Toujour - Gift Certificate
and smaller letters underneath read
three month subscription
. The certificate was filled out with her name and information.

“Toujour?” Andi said. The name sounded familiar. Where had she heard it? “This better be a spa or something.”

“It’s a matchmaking company.”

The radio announcer.
“You didn’t. The one Luke Ryder signed with?”

“I read an article online about Toujour and their success rate is impressive. They do background checks on all the clients, and have really sophisticated systems and highly trained matchmakers to help people find their soul mates.”

“Oh my gosh.” Andi dropped the certificate onto her lap. “Soul mates? C’mon, Rach.”

“I’m serious.”

“They can’t be that sophisticated. I heard on the radio that Luke Ryder’s been on five dates, none of them good.”

Rachel waved a hand through the air. “He’s a celebrity. Those girls are star-struck. You aren’t famous so it’ll be easier for you.”

“Sure. Except you’re forgetting one tiny detail—I don’t want to date.”

“You’re just saying that.”

Andi thought of the way she’d clutched the phone after Mark’s final call six months ago, how his words had echoed in her head—
I’m falling in love with someone else.
“No, I’m not. I don’t know how much clearer I can be.”

“Three months. All I’m asking is that you don’t waste my money and try Toujour for three months. If nothing else, it’ll help ease you back into dating.”

Andi flicked the certificate rapidly back and forth again her palm. “People who sign up for something like this are looking for a relationship, not a rebound.”

Rachel clasped her hands. Her shoulders were stiff, her lips pressed together in a tight line. “Give it a chance.”

Andi sighed. She’d watched for six months as Rachel apologized and fretted and tried to fix something that she hadn’t broken. Andi didn’t know what else she could do or say to convince Rachel the breakup hadn’t been her fault.

Andi stared at the gift certificate, an idea forming. The only way she’d ever absolve Rachel’s guilt was to start dating again, pretend to have a fling, and then break up with him—in a way Rachel would definitely not perceive as her fault.

“Okay, I’ll give it a shot.”

Rachel laughed and clapped her hands, bouncing on the couch. “I can’t believe you’re going to do it.”

Andi wanted to groan, but instead she forced a smile. She had to sell this to Rachel. “It’s a really thoughtful gift. Makes the boots I got you seem lame in comparison.”

“You got me boots?” Rachel whipped around, peering underneath the Christmas tree.

“I just ordered them today. They should be here by the twenty-seventh. Sorry.”

Rachel waved a hand. “I’m so relieved you’re trying Toujour, I don’t even care. You won’t regret this.”

Andi was pretty sure she would. Toujour was bound to be filled with over-eager guys of the desperate variety. But she could do anything for three months.