Miss Match by Lindzee Armstrong, Lydia Winters Page A

would smile.
    She didn’t. “No.”
    Luke sighed. “You’re mad at me.”
    Brooke folded her arms across her stomach. “Of course I am. Did you see what the latest papers are saying?”
    “Yeah, but I was hoping you hadn’t.”
    “That’s not what I’m here to talk about.”
    “Are you saying you forgive me?”
    Brooke sighed. “You know I can’t stay mad at you. I’m just tired. I miss the old you. The you that was so passionate about his job I’d have to force him to go home and sleep. It’s really good to see you here.” She set her purse on his desk, the one she had no idea had cost him twelve-thousand-dollars, and kicked off her heels. She looked amazing in a gray skirt that hugged her legs and a blouse that was tailored in all the right places, her dark hair tumbling around her shoulders. “What brought you to the office?”
    Luke motioned for her to sit on the couch and sank down beside her. “You were right—the board is pissed. We had a meeting yesterday, and they’re threatening to oust me.”
    Brooke’s jaw dropped. “They can’t do that.”
    “They can.”
    “I know they have the power to, but it’s not right. Darius wouldn’t really fire you, would he? He was so close to your father.”
    Luke rolled his shoulders. He could feel the tension gathering there, making his neck ache. “Maybe that’s why he’d do it. They were nice enough to point out that I’ve been destroying Dad’s legacy the last two months.” How could I have been so negligent? He never would’ve forgiven himself if the board hadn’t stepped in and he’d ran the company into the ground.
    Was that what he was doing with Brooke—refusing to step in and letting Antonio take his place? It had been eight years since she’d turned him down. After that initial dismissal, the timing had never been right. He’d give up on Brooke and start dating someone, and by the time he broke up with the girl, Brooke would have a boyfriend. But in eight years his feelings had only grown stronger. Certainly there was still a chemistry between them. He had been getting up the courage to suggest they start dating, hoping the timing was finally right, when she signed with Toujour and Antonio entered the picture.
    She doesn’t see me that way, he reminded himself.
    “Hey.” Brooke took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. Her palms were soft against his cheeks, and he barely held back a shiver. “You lost your father. Anyone would struggle after something like that.” She dropped her hands, and he wanted nothing more than to put them back on his face. To pull her onto his lap and hold her close until their lips were touching and—
    “Well I’m not willing to lose the company over grief,” Luke said. “Two months was enough time to wallow. It’s time I start acting like the CEO. ”
    Brooke smiled, and there was so much pride in her gaze. He wanted to deserve her faith in his abilities. She wrapped her arms around him in a quick hug. “You’re going to be a fantastic CEO. I’m glad to see you at work again.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Luke asked.
    “That’s actually why I’m here.” She frowned. “Now I don’t know if I should ask.”
    Luke’s heart warmed. “You can ask me anything.”
    “It’s big, Luke.”
    “Ask away.”
    Brooke tucked her feet underneath her and her eyes clouded with misery. “Charlotte’s closing Toujour if we can’t turn a profit in the next three months.”
    Luke’s heart lurched. And after she had worked so hard. He’d watched her tenaciously badger Charlotte into an internship, then claw her way to becoming top matchmaker at the firm. She had so much faith in Toujour she’d placed her hopes for a relationship in the hands of another matchmaker. He scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She sat rigid for a moment, then relaxed and leaned her head against him. She didn’t cry, but he could feel the disappointment and sorrow radiating