An Unlikely Match

By Robyn C Rye

A chance encounter with a stranger leaves Emily questioning her life choices. Emily's business consumes her life, and she realises she has no life outside the office.  Despite making responsible decisions all of her life, Emily decides, for once, to take a chance. With trepidation, she contacts Cole, hoping he will forgive her rebuff and offer her a second chance.  Cole introduces Emily to his friends and a new way of life. Suddenly Emily has friends and is involved in activities she had never experienced. She accepts Cole's way of life and, in return, asks him to step into her world for one night.

But Emily's happiness is ruined when Gareth, her ex, sets in motion a series of events that will extinguish all she  cherishes.

As Emily battles loneliness and anger, Cole becomes a recluse, refusing to risk seeing Emily at their previous venues. Cole curses himself for believing anything the ex had told him and, desperate to reconnect with Emily, offers an apology.  Can Emily forgive Cole's lack of trust, or is the relationship irretrievable?

• Language: English
• Publisher: robyncrye
• Release date: Feb 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9780994488664

Book preview

Prologue

Emily’s wake-up call was the sun peeking through the curtains, and ignoring the persistent rays shining on the bed was not an option. Next to her, Gareth continued to sleep, oblivious to the daylight creeping through the room. Emily rose quietly; Gareth was not a happy camper in the morning, and she wanted to be finished in the bathroom before he invaded it. Emily headed for the bathroom with her work clothes, eager to start her day. She hummed as she soaped herself, and then once she had conditioned her hair, Emily bundled it in a towel turban and stepped from the cubicle. Before Emily had time to dry herself, Gareth burst into the room.

Why didn’t you wake me? I will be late if I have to drive you to work before I go. God’s sake, woman, what is wrong with you?

Emily collected her clothes and headed towards the bedroom. No way would she stay and dress in the room while Gareth showered. Regardless of the number of times she asked him to use the ceiling fan, he refused, complaining about the cold breeze the unit caused, and as a result, the bathroom filled with steam, fogging the mirror and dampening her clothes.

I didn’t wake you because you don’t need to drive me this morning. I’d prefer to take my car, and when work finishes, I can dash over to the gallery to help Corrine with any last-minute details.

Gareth stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later with a towel wrapped around him. Emily noticed he looked like he had taken to working out; his tummy was flat, and his arm muscles looked more defined. Not wanting to argue, Emily left her questions until later. Gareth took extra care in selecting his suit, shirt, and tie. Considering he ridiculed Corrine’s art, it amazed Emily that he appeared to be making an effort for the event.

Once he dressed, Gareth glared at Emily.

Surely you don’t intend to wear that to the gallery? I thought Corrine was your friend; can’t you try to dress up a little?

What’s wrong with my outfit? Unlike you, I must work all day before leaving the gallery. I’m sure Corrine won’t be offended. Considering you ridicule Corrine’s art, you’re making a  special effort to look good. Do you wish to impress someone who will be there tonight? Surely you couldn’t be going to all this fuss for Corrine and her hobby, as you describe it..

Gareth sneered.  How much longer will you fiddle around with that makeup muck? I must get to work, even if you can swan in anytime.

Emily noticed that Gareth avoided answering her question about his attention to detail for the gallery show. Not willing to further aggravate her boyfriend, Emily let his evasion go, but she decided that after the gallery show tonight, they would talk about their future, which she imagined would be short-lived. How had her life spiralled so out of control that she spent hours each day appeasing this unpleasant man? Pushing her thoughts aside, Emily expressed her thoughts about the ride to work.

Gareth, I don’t want you to take me to work. You might finish before I do, and you’d have to sit and wait.

I will pick you up at five, so make sure you are ready. I want to leave, so get in the car and stop arguing.

Emily fumed all the way to work. When she and Gareth got together, she thought he was protective and wanted to look out for her; now she knew it was all about him. His concern for his appearance at Corrine’s art gallery display was out of character; he cared little for others’ feelings and more about himself. Gareth swore every time a traffic light flicked to red as they approached and fumed about the traffic already on the road at this time of the morning. There was no soothing music and friendly chit-chat when Gareth drove. He was an impatient driver, and every trip became a battle.

Emily felt relieved when the car stopped in front of her office block.

If you are serious about your little enterprise, move to a more upscale area. This place is on the wrong side of town and houses the harsh elements of the business world. Your neighbours are probably drug runners, hitmen, or the like, for goodness’ sake.

Gareth, we have this conversation whenever you bring me to work. This place is quite suitable for the business, and when I am ready to expand, I will move to a more respectable area. Don’t forget me tonight; I don’t want to be late for Corrine’s big night.

Gareth grunted, and the car shot away from the gutter into the almost deserted street. Emily watched the taillights as he slowed at the corner and heard the engine roar as he gunned the car. It was time that she reassessed her relationship with Gareth. Her mother loved him because he was from a good family, and he treated her with deference whenever they met, unlike his treatment of her. Her Mother never saw the controlling, angry version of Gareth that she lived with daily.

Emily let herself into the building, a surge of pride engulfing her as it did every morning. Even Gareth’s snarky remarks about the placement of her building didn’t dim the pleasure she experienced every time she entered her business. After putting her bag in her office, Emily went into the tiny room masquerading as the tea room and poured herself a cup of herbal tea.

Try as she might, she found it difficult to erase Gareth from her mind. What did the trimmer physique and care for his clothes mean? Typically, Gareth grabbed whichever suit came to hand first, but today, he carefully selected the suit, tie and shirt. Was he thinking of moving on? Had he set his sights on another woman? Emily considered this scenario and discovered that she felt no disappointment or heartache. The man she believed him to be was a mirage, lovely in public and a controlling bully in private. If Gareth were ready to move on, she would bid him farewell with a smile.

CHAPTER ONE

Emily paced her eyes on the clock; where the hell was Gareth? She had waited long enough for him to arrive, and as her calls to his mobile went unanswered, she hoped he was on his way. After he warned her this morning that she had to be ready to leave at five, it infuriated her that Gareth’s delay forced her to begin walking. She had no doubts he would arrive soon, blustering about an unexpected call he needed to take, but Gareth would not apologise to her; Gareth was all about himself and to hell with anyone else he might inconvenience. When Emily stepped outside, the street was dark and threatening; should she return to her office and wait for her ride? The surrounding buildings loomed in the shadows, their facades casting menacing shapes. Random street lights glowed in the darkness, illuminating parts of the road. Emily pulled her jacket close and buttoned it to ward off the wind. With determination, she set off.

She wouldn't have worn heels if she knew she would have to walk to the gallery this morning. The professional attire she wore was not suitable for a trek across town. As Emily fastened her pace, her thoughts turned to her best friend. Had Corrine given up on her arrival? Emily pulled out her phone to ring her friend, but the screen on her phone was dark. What had happened to her service? As she fiddled with the phone in the darkened street, a flash of light split the unlit road, and a roll of thunder crashed nearby.

When the first raindrops splashed on her head, Emily cursed with an unladylike series of words. When she got hold of Gareth, she would rip him to pieces. The raindrops steadied and became a drizzle. She would give millions for a taxi to cruise along the street. The drizzle became a steady downpour, and Emily fastened her pace. She would have continued waiting for Gareth at her business if she had realised the rain was imminent. Surely her boyfriend must be on his way? Emily hoped to meet him along the road, but no other cars appeared. She needed to find somewhere to shelter until the worst of the storm passed. A light shone from a building on the opposite side of the road.  Emily’s heels slowed her, but she moved as fast as possible toward the only business open at this time of night.

A small plaque on the front of the building proclaimed this as ‘The Watering Hole.’  As she pushed the door open, warm air rushed to meet her. She shivered as she walked further into the building. Her hair hung in wet rat’s tails, and her suit clung to her breasts and legs. A pool of water formed under her as she looked into the room. Her refuge was a working-class pub, and the décor and patrons appeared to prove her theory. Heavy wooden panelling covered the walls, and the furniture comprised bench seats and wooden tables. The click of pool balls punctuated the clinking of glasses and the indistinct murmur of voices. Emily stood in the entryway surveying the scene, but the male patrons paid her no attention. Another shiver wracked her body, and she realised she had better organise a taxi to get her to the gallery before the showing closed.

The bartender raised his eyebrows and ran his eyes from the top of her blond, messy hair to the tip of her overpriced shoes.

Lost are ya, love?

No soaking wet. I needed a place to take refuge from the rain. My phone has gone flat. Can I use your phone to ring a taxi?

The bartender grunted. You won’t get anyone to come out here at night. You’d better keep walking to wherever you were going. You can’t stay here.

A man’s deep voice chided the bartender.

Baz, where are your manners? Offer her lady-ship some paper towel to drive herself.

The barkeep grumbled, but he produced a paper towel. Emily squeezed her hair and used the paper to wipe away her running mascara and smudged foundation. She turned to thank her helper. The voice belonged to the most compelling man she had ever seen. His overlong dark hair touched the collar of his shirt, and the scruff on his square jaw was dark. He had rolled back his sleeves, and the exposed forearms sported tattoos; both arms displayed exotic artwork. Deep brown eyes scrutinised her as she stood mesmerised by his magnetism. He grinned at her and then winked. The heat flooded Emily’s cheeks, and she ducked her head to avoid his knowing smirk.

Do you intend to order something, or are you gonna stand there all night and give Cole the eye?

"Get her ladyship a