An Unlikely Match (The Match Series - Book #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

job?”
    “Probably waitressing to start with.” Amelia played with a bank of switches on the back wall, discovering one of them turned on some recessed lights in the garden. “It’s mostly evening work. That’ll leave my days open to go to auditions.”
    “Do you need any money, dear?”
    “No, no.” Amelia brushed away the offer. “I’m fine. And I’ll start getting tips right away.”
    “Make sure you don’t work too hard.”
    “I will.” Amelia flipped another switch, lighting up the tiny pool and the in-ground hot tub. It was the cutest little yard ever. As soon as she earned enough in tips, she was buying herself a bottle of wine and lounging out there.
    There was a slight pause on the line. “So, Amelia, have you met anyone there yet?”
    “In Pasadena? I just got here today.”
    “In the neighborhood, maybe?”
    Amelia’s chest gave a strange tingle as Morgan flooded into her mind. Guilt, she concluded. She really would have to apologize.
    “The guy next door,” she told her aunt.
    “Oh, that’s nice.” Hannah sounded delighted. “What did you think of him?”
    “ We really just said hello.”
    “Is he attractive?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe a little.” Amelia didn’t want to say anything derogatory. “He’s a little...he comes across... I don’t know, kinda brainy, maybe.”
    “So , intelligent. Intelligent is good.”
    “ How are you, Auntie? How are things in Florida?”
    “Talk about more than warm enough,” laughed Hannah. “I spent the morning baking bread and the afternoon in the pool.”
    “Are you feeling well? Mom said your knee was bothering you.”
    “Oh, that old thing. It’s just my age. A little whisky fixes it right up.”
    Amelia smiled to herself. “What did you bake?”
    “ Those tiny pecan tarts, with the Chantilly cream. My neighbors like them with a bit of bourbon.”
    “Yum,” said Amelia, realizing she was hungry and wishing she had something more substantial than a granola bar for dinner.
    “You’ll keep me posted on the handsome neighbor?” Hannah asked.
    “Absolutely,” Amelia agreed, thinking there wouldn’t be much to tell. After their argument today, he’d probably avoid her as much as possible.
    Just then, she caught a whiff of barbecue on the breeze.
    She squinted out the window and realized he was out there, grilling something in his yard. Burgers? Steak, maybe? Man, it smelled delicious.
    “Well, I’m off to bed,” said Hannah.
    “Goodnight, Auntie.”
    “Goodnight, honey.”
    Amelia hit the end button and stepped back from the window. The last thing she wanted was for Morgan to think she was spying on him.
    She returned to her seat on the floor and munched her way through the granola bar while checking the social-media statuses of her friends. Then, tired of smelling Morgan’s barbecue, she decided to take a long bath and listen to some music. It was only eight o’clock. She’d have plenty of time to blow up the air mattress later.

Chapter Three
     
    Sunday afternoon, Morgan heard a sudden, sharp crash in his front yard. He jumped up from his computer to fling open the front door, fearing somebody might be hurt.
    No sign of injuries, but a rental van was backed halfway into the shared driveway, Amelia at the wheel. Judging by the scattered dirt and the crushed flowers, she’d driven up onto the brick garden, then dropped back down again.
    He struggled not to grin at her antics as s he glanced frantically into the side mirrors, first rocking the steering wheel one way, then frowning and moving it the other. She was clearly thrown by the reverse images.
    He closed his door behind him, intending to help out. Before he could make his move, he caught sight of two men striding across the street. The pair were obviously intent on becoming her white knights.
    He hung back. After his boorish behavior the night she’d moved in, he’d been doing his best to avoid her. On balance, it was probably better to let the strangers step in