Your Big Break (32 page)

Authors: Johanna Edwards

BOOK: Your Big Break

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Brady nods. “I called your office yesterday, but you were gone to lunch. I'd just gotten back from Scottsdale. Craig answered and we got to talking. He explained what happened with Erin; she really did hire you guys to break up with me.”

“I'm sorry, Brady.”

“Don't be.” He shakes his head. “You were just doing your job. You could have told me the truth in the first place. I never would have faulted you for it.”

I look down at my hands. “I'm sorry that I lied to you. I guess I was . . . I just felt like the situation was spiraling out of control and, rather than be adult about it, I let myself get in deeper. The truth is, I was afraid.”

“It's okay.” He leans over and squeezes my hand. “People do strange things when they're afraid.” He grins. “I loved the Breakup Recovery Kit you sent me.”

“You did?”

“It really meant a lot to me. At the time, I couldn't figure out who sent it. But after I spoke with Craig, I looked at Your Big Break Inc.'s website and I knew.”

“I'm so glad.” I take a deep swig of champagne. “There's something that seems weird to me. And don't take this the wrong way, but why did Erin suddenly want to get back together with you? It was like her feelings changed overnight.”

Brady shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “She found out about the inheritance.”

I stare at him. “The inheritance?”

“When my father died, I inherited money. That's the real reason I've been out in Arizona so much recently.”

The real reason? So he's lied a bit, too!

“It's not a fortune. But enough to let me live very comfortably. It gave me the confidence, and the ability, to leave my law firm and become a teacher.”

“I guess you won't be wanting this.” I reach into my purse and pull out the ticket to
MÃ©lange
.

“God, no.” Brady smiles. “I just want you, Dani. The truth is, I got scared, too. Everything happened so fast. And I fell so hard . . . I tried to take things slow, but it was impossible.” He squeezes my hand. “I haven't felt this way in as long as I can remember. I don't want it to go away.”

“Me neither.”

“Then we won't let it.” Brady leans forward and kisses me softly on the lips. I hesitate for a nanosecond as a thought runs through my head. Rule #5: Do
not
get personally involved. This is the cardinal rule and must be followed above all others!

To hell with it. Rules were made to be broken
.

I kiss him back.

Epilogue

“I have to admit I'm shocked,” Evan Hirschbaum says as we sit down to the long-awaited lunch at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel two weeks later. “I can't believe you've resigned.”

“Yep. My last day is Friday.”

“What are you going to be doing?” Evan asks, taking a sip of mineral water.

“I'm starting a business.”

He raises an eyebrow. “What kind of business?”

“Something that's always been a passion of mine.” I pause for effect. “Matchmaking.”

I've had some success at it already. Sophie and Sean are a hot item, and Jason and RenÃ©e are well on their way, too. I've even been tinkering with the idea of setting up my mother and Craig McAllister. I'm not sure if I'm ready to go there yet, but we'll see.

Evan looks impressed. “From breaking people up to putting them together. Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you.”

“I do,” I agree. “But I'm up for the challenge.”

“I'll bet you are,” Evan says, raising his water glass in a toast. “To your new career.”

We clink glasses.

“I tell you what. To help you kick things off, I'll be your first client.”

I eye him with surprise. “You have more women than you can handle.”

“You can
never
have too many women, Dani.” Evan winks at me. “You know what kinds of women I like. Let's see who you can pair me up with.”

“You really want to do this?”

He nods. “The sooner, the better!”