The Match: An EXTENDED edition rom-com from the author of the TikTok sensation THE CHEAT SHEET! (It

Chapter 31

“So. This is where you grew up?” I ask, staring up at the white three-story Charleston mansion that has a wraparound porch on every level. The house is obscenely big for this part of town. I now know it’s possible for a home to look smug.

It’s tucked off the main road, and we had to punch in a number for the large iron gates to give us access to the driveway. I can see a tea garden off the right side of the home, and the landscaping is so well manicured I wouldn’t be surprised to see a staff of twenty on their hands and knees, cutting each blade of grass with golden shears.

I design homes for a living—often a lot like this one—but for some reason, knowing that this house is a part of Evie’s history is leaving me a little dumbfounded. It’s what this house represents. Wealth. Status. Power. Insecurity pokes me in the ribs.

Evie grabs my arm and tugs me out of my trance. “Don’t look it in the eyes. That’s how it traps you.” She lifts up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek and then drags me and Charlie up to the front door. I think he wants to be here just about as much as I do. “There are two rules tonight: stay close and keep that pretty mouth of yours shut,” she says while nervously running her hands over her dress.

I think she was trying to go for a modest look with this outfit, but really she just looks like a hot businesswoman or librarian. I’m not going to let myself get distracted, though, because I’m pretty sure I should be offended right about now.

“Did you say keep my mouth shut?” Surely I didn’t hear that right.

“Yep. Seal it up.”

Huh. Well, yeah. Now I’m a little annoyed. Does she not think I’m good enough for her family?

She’s still fidgeting with her clothes and fluffing her long blond waves (gosh, it’s hard to focus when she’s doing all that), and I’ve never seen her look so insecure before. She finally glances at me, and her furrowed brow softens. “What’s wrong?”

“You just told me not to speak during this dinner.”

“Oh!” She steps closer. I want to be annoyed, but her nearness does strange things to me.

I can see two future paths forming in my mind. One, we go inside and have a tense dinner with her parents. Two, I toss her over my shoulder, haul her off to my truck, and we peel out of here before anyone knows we were ever on the premises. She makes me feel greedy. I want Evie all to myself.

“Jake, I’m telling you not to talk for your own good. It doesn’t matter how wonderful you are or how successful you are. If your last name is not Murray, they will eat you alive. They want me to marry Tyler, and so trust me, anything you say tonight will be twisted around in some way to bite you in the ass.”

That makes sense. “They are really that serious about this Tyler guy?”

She nods, looking remorseful, like it’s her fault somehow. “We are only here to get that check and run. The less we both say, the better. Are you ready?”

I feel like we are about to step into battle. Suddenly, I’m not prepared for this. Where’s my sword? Where’s my armor? All I’ve got is this stupid button-down shirt and slacks.

I nod. “I’ll cover you. And if you get in over your head, squeeze my hand three times and I’ll execute an extraction.”

Her green eyes glow bright. “What if we get separated?”

I step a little closer and put my hands on her hips. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

Evie’s eyes glow and then fall to my mouth.

I’m bending down to kiss her when the front door suddenly flies open. Evie jumps, and I let go of her. We both look to the woman watching us with an expression that is somehow both bored and angry. It’s hard to explain. Kind of like she hates me but also knows she can crush me at any moment.

“Wonderful,” Melony says with mock enthusiasm. “You brought your friend.”

It’s in this moment that I wish Evie and I had already had the talk that’s been rolling around in my mind all day. Because, yeah, that’s all I am to her, technically. A freaking friend. Not for long, Melony.

“Hi, Mom. You look nice,” says Evie, being really generous to her mom.

Melony’s hawk eyes scan down Evie, and she sighs. “At least you’re wearing something on your bottom half tonight.”

You have got to be kidding.

Evie’s shoulders lower and it’s like I can see her caving in on herself. I hate seeing her like this. And I hate this woman for making her feel bad about herself.

“Evie looks perfect as always.” I put my hand on Evie’s lower back. It’s not much, but since I can’t shove Melony to the ground and then run off with Evie it’ll have to do for now.

“Oh goody,” Melony says with a vicious smile. “He’s a hero.”

Evie flashes an apologetic smile up at me and wraps her arm around mine. “Okay, let’s just go inside, shall we?”