Matched to Her Rival by Kat Cantrell

Author:Kat Cantrell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-07-31T14:00:00+00:00

Nine

Saturday night, Elise finally stopped carrying her phone around in her hand. Dax hadn’t called, hadn’t texted, hadn’t dropped by. He wasn’t going to. The line had been drawn, and instead of doing something uncomfortable like stepping over it, Dax had hightailed it in the other direction. His loss.

And hers, unfortunately. She couldn’t shake a slight sense of despondency, as though she hadn’t seen the sun in weeks and the forecast called for more rain.

It was a good thing she’d put on the brakes when she had—imagine how hurt she’d be if things had gone any further. Regardless, she was undeniably disappointed he didn’t even want to stay friends, which she had to get over.

She needed to focus on Blanca and Carrie, the two new applicants in her makeover program. They were both due to arrive in a couple of weeks and Elise had done almost nothing to prepare.

She tapped out a quick email to Dannie, who helped Elise with makeup and hair lessons when needed. After years at the knee of a supermodel, Elise had enough fashion and cosmetic tips to fill an ocean liner, but Dannie liked the work and by now, the two women were fast friends.

Elise confirmed the dates and attached a copy of a contract for Dannie’s temporary employment. Normally, it wouldn’t be a question of whether Dannie would say yes, but she and Leo had just returned from an extended vacation to Bora Bora in hopes Dannie would come home pregnant.

Elise would be thrilled if that was the reason Dannie said no.

Then she made a grocery list as two extra mouths required a great deal of planning, especially to ensure the meals were healthy but not too difficult to prepare. Few of the women in her program came to her with great culinary skills. It was one of the many aspects of training she offered, and after a lifelong love-hate relationship with food, Elise brought plenty to the literal and figurative table.

The remainder of the evening stretched ahead of her, long and lonely. She flipped on a movie, but her mind wandered.

The doorbell startled her and she glanced at the clock. Good grief, it was nearly midnight. It could only be Dax. A peek through the window confirmed it. Despite the shadows, she’d recognize the broad set of his shoulders and lean figure anywhere.

Her heart lightened. She’d missed him, fiercely.

She took a half second to fortify herself. He could be here for any number of reasons. Better to find out straight from the horse’s mouth than get her hopes up.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” she said needlessly as she opened the door and cursed the jumpy ripples in her stomach. He was just so masculine and gorgeous. Then she got a good look at his face. The sheer darkness in his gaze tore through her. “What’s wrong?”

Tension vibrated through the air as he contemplated her. “I don’t know why I’m here.”

“Bored? Lonely? Can’t find anyone else who wants to play?” She crossed her arms over her middle.

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