Not Your Match Read Free Page A

the possible job, I jumped at the opportunity.”
    Andi rubbed a hand up and down Ben’s arm. “I feel like an idiot, going on and on about Mark when your wedding just got called off. I can’t imagine how difficult that’s been for you.”
    “When she wouldn’t set a date after almost a year, I should’ve known this was how it’d end.”
    “That doesn’t make it any easier.”
    “No, it doesn’t. So here I am, staying with Rach and Adam until I can find an apartment. I’m hoping to be out by New Year’s.” He gave a mock shudder. “Being a house guest to newlyweds is awkward.”
    “Yeah, I can imagine.” Rachel and Adam were in the disgusting, over-the-top happy stage of marriage. Living with them would be positively nauseating.
    “I shouldn’t complain. I’m grateful I have a place to stay until I figure everything out.”
    “I guess that means we’ll see each other next week. Rach invited me to dinner on Christmas Eve.”
    “You aren’t spending it with your parents?”
    “No. Dad has a client meeting in New York and Mom’s going with him.” She was kind of relieved. Her idea of a Merry Christmas wasn’t being pressured by her parents to start dating.
    “Well, I’m glad you’re coming to dinner. It means I won’t be the awkward third wheel.”
    Andi laughed. “I feel the exact same way. I must’ve asked Rach a billion times before agreeing to come if she was sure. She keeps hinting I can bring a date, but that would be more awkward, not less.”
    Ben led Andi outside to a secluded section of the yard. Four chairs were staggered around a heat lamp. Andi picked up her burger and took a big bite. She closed her eyes in pure bliss. Even cold, it was the best food she’d eaten all week. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a meal that wasn’t a protein bar or sandwich from the deli near work. “Adam sure knows how to grill.”
    “I manned the grill this time,” Ben confessed.
    “I’m impressed.”
    Ben smirked. “You have ketchup on your lip.”
    Andi flicked out her tongue and whisked the condiment away. “I can’t even be embarrassed. This is one seriously awesome burger.”
    “You always did like your meat.” Ben smiled, and a current ran between them that she’d never experienced, especially not with him. Ben blinked and cleared his throat. “So tell me about work,” he said.
    Andi latched onto the subject change. What had that been all about? “There’s not much to tell. My dad has me on family law, mostly divorces. I started taking on solo cases a few months ago.”
    “Divorces.” Ben leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. His biceps stretched and flexed, and Andi looked away, her cheeks heating. “I bet you have some interesting stories.”
    “You could say that. It’s funny the things people consider important. The divorce I worked last week was insane. The only thing the couple seemed concerned about is who would get a hand-woven Mexican shawl they’d bought on a cruise. I saw a picture of the shawl, and I’ve got to tell you, I don’t even think it’s authentic. I’m pretty sure someone lied and told them it was handmade so they’d pay a fortune for it. Then today, I worked a prenup, and they kept arguing about their pet bearded dragon.”
    “A bearded dragon? Not a dog or cat or something?”
    “Hey, dragons are people, too.”
    Ben laughed. “Sounds awful.”
    “My dad keeps promising me I can pick my own cases in a few years. I’ve always wanted to do family law, but I imagined something more along the lines of helping families in abusive situations.”
    “Okay, so law isn’t what you expected. What about dancing, do you still do that?”
    Andi took another bite of her burger. Her mind flashed back to the last dance they’d shared together at the state high school championships. He’d led her through the salsa effortlessly, directing her with a flick of his wrist or the right pressure on her hand or her waist.