Miss Match (5 page)

Maybe the rest of the audience only cared about how their company stock was performing. But his mom cared about Dad. And so did Brooke.

Darius cleared his throat, and Luke blinked. He’d been quiet for too long. “Nothing can bring Dad back,” Luke said. “But we can pay respect to his memory by finding a cure. Thank you all for coming.” He shoved the microphone into Darius’s hand. Darius fumbled and almost dropped it.

“Luke Ryder,” Darius said, clapping. The audience followed his lead. The clapping sounded uncertain and strained. But what did Darius expect, springing this on Luke last minute?
Why
had it sprang it on him?

Luke wove his way through the crowd, eager to reunite with Brooke. “I heard they’re having an affair,” he heard one of the women whisper to a friend as he passed.

“But isn’t she engaged?”

“So they say, but she doesn’t act
like an engaged woman.”

“I heard she sometimes spends the night at his apartment.”

Luke closed his eyes and willed the entire room to disappear.

It was his mother who found him first. She grabbed his arm and looped hers through it. “That was a very nice speech,” she said. The chief director of the foundation spoke now on the stage, but Luke hadn’t registered a word she said. When had they hired a director anyway?

“Did you know they were unveiling the charity tonight?” Luke demanded.

His mom blinked. “Darius mentioned it last night, and I agreed it was a good time to make the announcement. I thought you knew.”

“I didn’t,” he said.

“I’m sure Reginald sent you an email.” Her tone was reproving.

Luke ran a hand through his hair. He hated how his mother managed to make him feel ten years old again. “Dad hated these events. He wouldn’t have wanted the charity announced like that.”

“And how do you think it should’ve been done?”

“A press conference, like we’d discussed.”

Someone patted Luke on the shoulder. “Excellent speech,” the man said as he walked passed. Luke forced a smile.

“Your dad may have hated these events, but he knew they were necessary for the well-being of the company. Tonight was the perfect time to make the announcement. We have Los Angeles’ richest in the room tonight, and they’re all in a giving mood thanks to the holidays. Donations will pour in. Maybe it’ll help us find a cure.” Mom’s voice was wistful, but hopeful too.

Luke wouldn’t hold his breath. How long had scientists searched for a cure? Decades, at least. Even if they did find one, it wouldn’t bring his dad back.

A woman smiled coyly at Luke. “Excellent gala, Mr. Ryder. Congratulations on thirty years.”

Luke nodded, and the woman slunk away.

“I’d better go mingle,” Mom said. “Looks like Brooke’s headed over here anyway.” She gave Luke a kiss on the cheek and left.

Brooke arrived seconds later. “You did great,” she said, giving Luke a hug. “Especially for not knowing about the charity’s unveiling.” She pursed her lips as though tasting something sour. “Mitch is furious. Apparently they sent you an email but never mentioned anything to him. He’s making phone calls now.”

Luke’s jaw clenched. “That’s exactly the kind of crap that makes me avoid these events. Darius had no right.”

“I agree.” Her eyes focused on something behind his shoulder. She grabbed his arm. “Don’t look now, but Darius is headed right for us. Let’s go.”

Luke swore, quickening his pace.

“Luke.” Darius’s voice was loud, drawing the attention of those around them.

Brooke stopped walking and looked up at Luke, her eyes apologetic. “If you don’t talk to him, it’ll make a scene.”

“I have nothing to say to him,” Luke hissed.

“Then make something up.” Brooke’s face melted into her best keep-the-client-happy smile. “Mr. Darius, we didn’t see you. I spotted a waiter serving quiches and must’ve blocked everything else out.” She laughed, a soft tinkling sound that sent shivers from Luke’s head down to his toes. “What a fantastic turnout tonight. You must be so pleased.”

Darius frowned, his laser vision focusing on Luke. “I was, until that speech.”

Brooke’s mouth fell open, but Luke wasn’t surprised. “The speech I had prepared didn’t seem appropriate in light of the charity being unveiled,” Luke said. “If you ever spring something like that on me again, I’ll have your spot on the board as payment.”

Darius didn’t flinch. “I sent you an email yesterday about the change and asked you to solicit donations from our guests.”

“I didn’t read the email.”

“I gathered as much. As CEO you shouldn’t let communication lapse. The board needs to be able to get in contact with you anytime, day or night.”

Luke felt the anger spread like a rash. He clenched and unclenched his fists, and Brooke put a hand on his arm. “I’m grieving
,
Darius. And you’re going behind my back, announcing my dad’s charity?” His voice rose with every word. “You should’ve relayed the change over the phone, at the very least.”

“Luke,” Brooke said. “You’re making a scene.”

“I wasn’t trying to go behind your back,” Darius said. “Your father was one of my closest friends. Don’t think you’re the only one affected by his loss.”

“Don’t
compare how you feel to how I feel. If you ever—”

Brooke stepped between the two men. “Okay, I think that’s enough. In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re attracting attention.”

Luke caught the eye of a tuxedoed man with a cell phone pointed in their direction. The man quickly slipped the phone into his pocket and walked away. A few other cameras flashed.

“Mr. Darius, I hope you can respect how hard this is for Luke,” Brooke continued. “I know you meant no harm, but I think it’s best if you discussed keeping the lines of communication open another time.”

“Brooke, I hope you
at least understand that I meant nothing by it.” Darius took her hand in both of his. “I tried to keep him in the loop.”

Brooke patted his hand. “I know, Mr. Darius. Oh, there’s Mitch. He actually sent me to find Luke. We’d better see what he wants.” She grabbed Luke’s arm and whisked him away.

“Darius should be fired for that stunt.”

“He made a mistake. Try to calm down, okay? You don’t want the cameras capturing this.”

Luke tugged at the collar of his tuxedo shirt. “I need a Scotch. Just one.”
After what I’ve been through, the least she can do is give me one drink.
It wasn’t like he could leave to go to the gym and release his stress.

“We’ll get you a spiced cider. Or maybe some hot chocolate.” She focused on something over his shoulder. “Oh crap.”

And that’s when Luke saw her, wrapped around Nathan Kendall like a piece of meat on a kabob.

Luke froze, his breath heavy. “What. Is. He. Doing. Here?”

“I have no idea.”

“He’s here with
her
?” Luke massaged his temples and tried to make sense of what was happening. With Candi, you never really knew.

“I know. Let’s go get you that drink.”

At the bar, Brooke ordered him a spiced cider. He leaned back against the counter, watching Candi cling to Nathan like plastic wrap. Any closer, and they’d be fused together.

“The gala’s had a great turnout,” Brooke said. He knew she was trying to distract him—trying to get him focused on anything but what he was seeing.

“Candi,” Luke ground out. He felt no disappointment at seeing her with another guy. He knew last night would’ve only be a one-night fling. But to be here with Nathan, his competition? That seemed a little too convenient.

Candi leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to the corner of Nathan’s mouth. And then she looked across the room, caught Luke’s eye, and smirked.

“I can’t believe it,” Luke muttered.

Brooke glanced at Candi and Nathan, then grabbed Luke’s arm and tugged him in the opposite direction. “I think I need some fresh air. And you definitely need to cool down.”

“She smirked at me.”

“Should we see if Zoey and Mitch want to go with us?”

“She kissed him then smirked.”

“Is that the girl from the tabloid?” an unfamiliar voice asked.

Luke whipped his head around, and saw two old biddies whispering together.

“What a hussy.” The second woman, who sported a sequined dress, actually harrumphed. “Young people these days. His girlfriend is engaged to another man, and he’s seeing a scarlet woman on the side.”

“Oh, I heard the engagement’s being called off.”

Sequined Dress raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Well that’s what the magazines are saying. I also heard Brooke and Luke haven’t ever dated, but are just friends.”

“They can’t really think people believe that. Best friends don’t act like those two.”

Luke clenched his jaw. “What a disaster.”

Brooke put a hand on his arm. “It’s fine.”

He shook his head. “No. I keep bringing you into the papers, and people think . . .” He couldn’t even say it.

“It doesn’t matter. You and I and Antonio know the truth.”

The two biddies moved away, giving him a clear view of Candi, who threw back her head and laughed. She pressed herself suggestively against Nathan and slipped one hand beneath his tuxedo coat, her lips turned up in a smirk the entire time.

Is she a corporate spy?
If so, she wasn’t a very good one. He hadn’t spilled any company secrets, and now that he knew she was with Kendall, there was zero chance she’d get anything out of him. Besides, even Kendall wouldn’t try something that dumb.

“Brooke, darling.” Mrs. Darius threw her arms around Brooke, nearly toppling her. Luke reached out a hand to steady her. Brooke’s expression was one of surprise and horror. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been looking for you all night.”

“Mrs. Darius,” Brooke said. Luke heard the caution in her voice, but doubted anyone else would. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You must
meet my grandson.” Mrs. Darius tugged Brooke away from the bar. “I think I’ve told you about him before. Andrew’s visiting from Oregon for the holidays. He’s so ready
for a wife, but doesn’t have time to find a suitable woman to date.”

“Toujour sounds perfect for him then.” Brooke’s eyes flicked to Luke’s. He knew the matchmaking firm she worked for was struggling, and he saw the desire for a new client battling with her obligation to stay with him. “Luke and I were just enjoying a spiced cider together.”

Here it was, his chance to get a Scotch. “Don’t worry about me. Who knows when Andrew will be in town again?”

Mrs. Darius beamed. “He’s really unsure about the whole matchmaker thing, but I think if you explained it to him . . .”

Brooke grabbed Luke’s arm. “Don’t. Just don’t,” she whispered.

He waved her off. “I’ll be fine. Give Andrew my best.”

“Oh, we will, dear,” Mrs. Darius said, and she and Brooke disappeared into the crowd.

Luke whipped around to the bartender. “Give me a Scotch on the rocks, and keep ’em coming until that woman returns.”

The bartender grinned and quickly poured Luke a glass. “I’ve seen her in the papers with you before. They say she’s your girlfriend.”

I wish.
“Best friend. And she doesn’t like it when I drink.” Luke downed the Scotch in one painful gulp. The bartender’s eyes widened, and he quickly poured another. Luke devoured that one too. The speech. Brooke. The gala. Candi. Nathan. It was all too much.

The room was starting to spin when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see none other than Nathan and Candi, still fused together.

“Luke,” Nathan said, holding out a hand. Luke shook it warily. “I had to stop by and congratulate you on the foundation’s creation. We’ll find that cure eventually.”

Luke grunted. “I’m surprised to see you
here, Kendall.” He heard the slur in his words, but couldn’t bring himself to care.

Nathan pulled his face into a look of faux offense. He wasn’t much older than Luke, maybe thirty or thirty-one, but he still managed to treat Luke as though he were a child playing make believe. “I know we’re competitors, but I’m here tonight as a guest celebrating your company’s success.” He motioned to Candi. “You already know my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend, huh? She seemed pretty available last night,” Luke said. “She’s a great kisser, man. And even better in bed.”

Nathan’s jaw clenched. “I’m here to offer my congratulations. Let’s not make things ugly.”

“You’re the one who’s crashing my party.”

“Luke,” Candi said, her lips turning down in a pout. “Please. I know it was wrong of me not to tell you I was seeing someone, but I was so mad
at Nathan last night. We had a horrible fight.” She laughed, and it sounded like breaking glass. “Turns out it was all a silly misunderstanding.”

Ah, I was the means to piss off Nathan.
Luke decided to push the envelope, just to see what would happen. “Are you sure it wasn’t a pathetic attempt to get company secrets?”