Meeting His Match (Single In the City 1)

Was it crazy to want him? Or was it insane to think they might actually have a chance?

Six weeks ago, she would have thought she’d lost her mind for even contemplating a serious relationship. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

Marti gazed out into the night, taking in the view of the city below. One she knew by heart. The skyscrapers stood tall and proud against the inky sky, their windows lit up like teeth. Traffic ping-ponged along the busy streets, the sidewalks teeming with people. Horns honked, laughter filled the air, and the melodic sounds of buskers drifted to weary ears. On the corner, the guy who hawked fake designer bags would be giving his spiel, while the hot dog vendor sold his eats. Glassware clinked as bar doors opened.

All of these things, these sounds, came from a city she loved. Apart, all these things seemed insignificant. But together, they were more—one piece of a whole— they were everything.

Kind of like her and Logan.

Separate, they were just two people. Together, they were something greater than their individual parts. She felt it in her bones.

But old habits die hard.

Was she strong enough to give them a chance? It felt less like an act of faith and more like rappelling down the side of a building before checking the safety harness.

“I’m glad to get you alone.” The sound of Blue’s voice broke the quiet.

Marti glanced over her shoulder and forced a smile, trying to smother her annoyance when all she wanted was a moment alone.

Blue headed to the banister beside her and stared off into

the distance, her eyes fixed on the horizon. “I started this company from the ground up. From a small blog, we grew in the span of one year, netting close to one million dollars. Today, we’re a multimillion-dollar platform.” She paused, and Marti wondered what she was waiting for. Applause?

“Do you know why I’ve been so successful?” Blue asked.

Marti wasn’t in the mood for a speech. Still, she asked, “Why?”

“Because I have the guts to make the right decisions for this business. Above all else, I put PopNewz first, and everything else comes second. Even now, after I fell in love and got engaged, I know where my loyalties lie. It’s why I broke it off.”

Marti’s gaze jerked to Blue’s left hand. The giant rock was absent. “Your engagement?”

“I can’t run an empire and be a wife, and I certainly can’t be a mother too. Ben wanted kids. And for me it has to be one or the other, a career or a family.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Marti said, and she was. There was something sad about this powerhouse of a woman admitting she’d rather be alone than share a piece of herself with something other than her career.

“Are you?” Blue turned to Marti. When their eyes met, Blue skewered her with her gaze. “Sorry to hear about my breakup, I mean. Because that doesn’t sound like the Marti I know.”

Marti cleared her throat and glanced away. She was right. Six weeks ago, Marti was disgusted Blue was throwing everything away for love. But now . . .

“He’s in love with you, you know.”

Marti’s head snapped up. “Logan?”

Blue cocked her head. “You act like you don’t know.”

When Marti said nothing, Blue chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”

Frustrated, Marti stepped back and shoved a hand through her hair. “Blue, is there a point to this? What are we really talking about here? Whatever you want to say, just say it.”

“You fell for him, didn’t you? You, Marti McBride, the Queen of Single care for a man.”

Marti shook her head, afraid of the way her heart thumped at Blue’s words, like it might leap from her chest. “No. This is business.”

“Then end it.”

Marti flinched. “What?”

Blue turned back to the skyline, giving Marti her profile and the curve of her mouth. “I’ve been thinking about it, and everything that follows a committed relationship is boring. Unless, of course, you’re marrying Justin Bieber, then have at it. Otherwise, we can’t have you settle down with the doctor for very long. Readers have fallen in love with the two of you, but they’ll quickly lose interest. No one wants to hear how you go grocery shopping on Sundays. It’s boring. People want drama, heartache, gossip, tension, and conflict. So we need to give readers what they want.”