Not Your Match Read Free

heat lamps and around the fire pit.
    “A likely excuse. All the girls were obsessed with him that year.”
    Andi laughed. “So what are you doing here? Did you come all the way from Arizona for Rachel’s birthday, or are you here for Christmas too?”
    Ben ran a hand through his hair. “Didn’t Rachel tell you? I moved back. Adam knew someone, and I got a job at a charter school a few minutes away. I start after winter break.”
    Ben was back in town. Her stomach swarmed with butterflies. What was wrong with her? “I haven’t talked to Rachel much the last couple of weeks. Things have been crazy at work.”
    “Well, I only found out about the job a week ago.”
    “That’s great that you’ve moved back.”
    The sliding door opened, and Rachel stepped inside. She wore a festive red Christmas sweater that showcased her trim figure, and black leggings with white reindeer on them. Her bangs were pulled back with bobby pins, adding another layer to her short bob. She smiled when she saw Andi and ran across the room, throwing her arms around her in a hug. “I worried you weren’t going to make it. I’m so glad you’re here.”
    “I got tied up at work.” Andi swatted Ben on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me this guy was moving back?”
    “I thought I mentioned it.” Rachel shrugged. “Guess I forgot. Food’s on the counter. Grab a plate and come out. It feels great with the heat lamps and fire. We’re roasting s’mores soon.”
    Andi handed the card to Rachel. “Happy birthday.”
    Rachel opened it, her eyes scanning the hastily scrawled note, then squealed. “Mani-pedis with my bestie? I’m holding you to this.”
    “We’ll go soon,” Andi promised.
    Rachel turned to Ben. “You take care of this girl tonight. I don’t want her slipping out early to go home and work.”
    Ben wrapped an arm around Andi. A shiver shot down her spine, a response that had her struggling not to giggle.
    “I won’t let her out of my sight,” Ben promised.
    “Perfect.” Rachel gave Andi another hug, then hurried out to the backyard.
    “So how’ve you been?” Ben asked, following Andi to the kitchen table with its wide array of food.
    Andi shot Ben a sideways glance. “I know that tone. Rach told you about Mark.”
    “She feels awful.”
    Andi groaned. “She has to stop blaming herself. If Mark and I couldn’t hack long distance, then we wouldn’t have been able to hack a marriage.”
    Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “You know Rach. She feels responsible since she hooked him up with the contact in New York.”
    “She might’ve hurried along the process, but he always had his sights set on bigger and better things than local journalism.” Andi should’ve realized in high school that his ambitions spelled doom for their relationship. Instead, she’d wasted seven years on him. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
    “So, how are you?”
    Andi sighed. “Honestly, it’s been rough. I haven’t been single since I was a sophomore in high school.” And apparently being single transformed her into a hormone-crazed sixteen-year-old melting over any guy who smiled, regardless of his availability. Ben was engaged, for crying out loud. She needed to pull herself together.
    “Mark didn’t deserve you anyway. He was kind of self-involved.”
    “He was a jerk,” Andi agreed. “But he knew what he wanted out of life and wasn’t afraid to go get it.” Even if it meant leaving her behind. Andi grabbed a plate and piled it with food. She took a bun and loaded it up before adding a burger. “So tell me about your life. Did Whitney come with you to L.A., or is she still in Arizona?”
    Ben looked away. “We broke up.”
    Andi fumbled the salad tongs, dropping lettuce awkwardly on her plate. “Oh, Ben. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
    “Things had been rocky for a while, and she didn’t want to stick around to work it out.” He rolled his shoulders. “So here I am in Los Angeles. When Adam mentioned