Miss Match (31 page)

“Don’t freak out, but I’m at the hospital.”

Brooke let out a gasp. She fumbled with her keys, dropping them once before getting in her car. She started the engine and whipped out of the parking lot as she listened to him explain that he’d been hit by a bicyclist. Pain killers, she realized. He was drugged, not drunk.

“I’ll be right there,” Brooke said. She was maybe ten minutes from the hospital.

“I should be home soon.”

“I don’t care. I’m coming to the hospital.” No one could keep her from him now.

“I love you, Brooke.”

Brooke stopped, her heart pounding. Here it was—the moment. She could take a chance on Luke, or she could lick her wounds in solitude. “I love you, too.” She heard an intake of breath on the other end of the line, but she ended the call before he could reply and focused on her driving.

Brooke quickly parked and raced into the hospital lobby. “I need to see Luke Ryder,” she breathlessly told the receptionist.

“Brooke?”

Brooke turned around. Andi stood there, smiling uncertainly.

“Hey,” Brooke said. She reached for her engagement ring to twist around and around, but froze when she touched nothing but bare skin.

Andi’s eyes followed the gesture, and she broke into a smile. “You broke up with him.”

Brooke nodded.

“You’re going after Luke.”

Again, Brooke nodded.
This is soooo awkward.

Andi threw her arms around Brooke’s neck in a tight hug. “You two will be so happy together,” she said.

Brooke blinked, then returned the hug. “What about you two?”

Andi laughed. “I already broke up with him.”

“You were serious about that?”

Andi laughed again. “The press has been getting pretty bored with our relationship. A breakup is just the thing to spice it up.” She grinned. “I’ve got my own secret romance. Oh, don’t look so surprised. Luke can tell you all about it.”

Brooke laughed. “I’ve really been off my game to not notice that.”

“You’ve been preoccupied.” Andi gave Brooke another hug. “He’s a good guy, and he loves you very much. You two will be so happy together.” She pointed down a hallway. “He’s right down there. I think they’re about ready to let him go home.”

“Thanks,” Brooke said. She walked down the hallway toward the ER. She told the receptionist who she was, then followed the woman back to a triage room. She stopped outside the partition separating his bed from others, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Then she walked in.

Luke’s eyes lit up when she entered and his mouth quirked into a grin. “Hey.”

Brooke leaned down, giving him a hug. His arms wrapped around her, and she closed her eyes. “Look at you,” she whispered. She pulled a chair close to his bed and sat down. “You’ve done it this time. How are you feeling?”

Luke reached out for her hand, and she let him take it. “Fine. My arm’s still numb, and they gave me some pain meds for my shoulder and ankle.” He peered closely at her. “How are you? You look . . .”

Brooke laughed, hiding her head against his chest. “I know, I’m a mess. It’s been quite a day.”

Luke ran his finger over her knuckles. His hand froze. “Brooke, where’s your ring?”

She lifted her head and locked her eyes with his. “There’s not going to be a wedding anymore. At least not to Antonio.”

His hand tightened around hers, his eyes alighting with concern . . . hope. “What happened?”

“I went to his apartment to tell him we needed to call it off.” She took a deep breath.
Here it goes.
There would be no turning back now. “I didn’t think it was right to marry him when I’m so desperately, head-over-heels in love with you.”

Luke sucked in a sharp breath. “You love me?”

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 way 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.