Ready, Set, Romance!: A Ready, Set, Love Novel, #1

By Renee Dyer

Mateo Romero is living the dream as a beach attendant on the turquoise waters of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, helping families get the most of their vacations by day and rescuing kids in need by night.
The last thing he expects is to meet Darby Benson, an uptight tourist who has the audacity to call him a stalker.
Everywhere he goes, she's there—either in distress or starting trouble. He should steer clear, but something about her draws him in.
Her snide remarks infuriate him, but when she smiles, he forgets why he ever found her irritating in the first place. And he can't have that—it goes against his first rule: "no getting involved with tourists."

Darby Benson, destination wedding extraordinaire, never expected she would still be unmarried at thirty-four years old.
She didn't imagine her boyfriend of twelve years would ask her to plan a romantic getaway for two only to propose to her assistant.
Yet, here she is, single, on vacation alone, trying to avoid her ex and his new fiancé.
To make matters worse, she keeps running into Mateo Romero, a local who seems hell-bent on sticking his nose in her business.
Everywhere she turns, Mateo is there, offering advice, stepping in where he isn't needed, being far too sexy for anyone's good.

Annoyance shifts to flirtation, and eventually, they can't deny their attraction.
Darby worries she's being set up for her next heartbreak. Mateo is ready to give her his heart. If they can get on the same page, their romance could be one to last a lifetime. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renee Dyer
• Release date: Jul 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201499563

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 by Renee Dyer.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

The author acknowledges all song titles, song lyrics, film titles, film characters, trademarked statuses, and brands mentioned in this book are the property of, and belong to, their respective owners.

Renee Dyer is in no way affiliated with any of the movies, actors, authors, brands, songs, musicians, or artists mentioned in this book.

Edited by: Word Nerd Editing

http://wordnerdediting.com/

Proofreading by: Bound Through Books Proofreading Service

https://www.facebook.com/boundthroughbookswithautumn/

Cover Design and Formatting by: Write For You Designs

In loving memory of Kathleen Fennelly and Sean Page.

Thank you for believing in me long before I believed in myself.

Darby

The warm, salty Pacific air tickles my shoulders as I steady myself for what’s to come. I tick off the items on my list, making sure everything will be perfect when Aaryn arrives.

Sultry music – check.

Strawberries and champagne – check.

Sexy undergarments – check.

Three easy seductions to get to my man’s heart...or maybe something else, I think to myself with a chuckle. It never hurts to get him in the mood for a little romance.

If someone had told me years ago I’d be planning the vacation where my boyfriend would propose, I would have laughed them out of the room. But here I am, waiting for Aaryn to arrive so he can do just that.

He thinks I have no idea, but he was far too obvious in saying he couldn’t fly down with me because he had one last job interview to go to. Please. Didn’t he realize that would have me questioning things?

He’s the first one to push things off when the words tropical and beach are involved.

My heart flip-flops at how he’ll propose. Will he get down on one knee? What will he say? What will he be wearing?

I’ve pictured this day a million times.

What if it isn’t today?

I freeze, joy seeping out of me like a leaky balloon. Our vacation is for two weeks. I’ve been assuming he would ask right away and we’d spend the rest of the time celebrating, but what if that isn’t what he has planned?

Oh God...what if I get cranky or let it slip that I know why we’re here? Will it ruin everything?

Calm down, I whisper into the air, rubbing my hands down my face. No matter how or when he does it, it’s going to be the best moment of your life.

I breathe in through my nose and then release my worries in a large exhale from my mouth. It will be the best moment. Perfect. Everything I’ve always dreamed of. I need to relax and be patient.

I’ve waited twelve years for him. What’s a few more days?

Spinning like a child lost in the excitement of the moment, I soak in how my life is going to change. I’m going to be engaged to Aaryn Hewlett. I’ll finally get to tell the world we’re getting married. Show them how wrong they were about us.

We are meant to be.

Eeep! I squeal as I come to a stop, dizzy and trying to find my footing. This is going to be the start of a beautiful new chapter for us.

Speaking of chapter... I peer at my watch, thrilled to see I have time to get a little reading in. Since meeting Dee Lagasse, an author from New Hampshire, while planning her friend’s wedding, I’ve been dying to dive into one of her books. Her humble attitude and the way she recommended several other authors over herself made me want to read her work all the more. Meet Me Halfway jumped out at me. A single mom and a hot British guy? Yes, please. Carina and Ryan’s journey sounds like the love story I’ve been waiting for.

E-reader and water bottle in hand, I make my way outside to enjoy the sunshine and blossoming love.

W ait here.

Aaryn speaking to someone jolts me from the Food Network set the book had transported me to. So engrossed in the characters and story, I never heard him knock or the door open.

How did he get in?

The butler.

I forgot about the extra amenities of renting a mansion. It’s much too posh for my liking, but it’s everything Aaryn adores. Flashy. Overstated. Rich. I wanted this trip to be perfect for him and can’t wait to show him around.

Jumping up from the chaise lounge, my e-reader is forgotten as I skip toward the future I’ve been dreaming of. A few swipes of my fingers through my hair make sure I’m ready before I get to him.

Excitement bubbles out of me. It would be hard to guess I’m a thirty-four-year-old woman with the way I’m acting, but it’s not every day you get proposed to.

I’m so happy you’re he—

I skid to a stop at my assistant standing next to him.

Oh my gosh. Ainsley, is everything all right? Are you all right? Did I forget to take care of something before flying out?

Questions barrel forth before I can stop them. Her being here makes no sense.

Just like you said, she sneers, all about the business.

I have no idea what she’s talking about, nor do I understand the hostility in her tone. If it’s not about the business, why else would she be here?

My gaze goes from her to Aaryn, their pinched expressions, their interlocked fingers. An ache starts in my chest as understanding dawns.

Oh.

It’s all I say before I turn away, my dreams shattered in their embrace.

Where are you going? Aaryn barks, his voice cold, as if we haven’t been a couple for nearly a third of my life.

I jump but don’t turn back. I can’t. There’s nothing for me in that direction.

I’m leaving.

Just like that? With nothing to say? No fight? No questions? He pounds his chest, the sound infuriating me.

How dare he expect me to fight for him? He showed up with another woman on his arm. Not just any woman—my assistant.

Questions? What the hell am I supposed to ask? Is he sleeping with her? How long? How many ways would he like to serve my heart up to me? What kind of platter to put it on?

I may be a planner, but some things are best left undone.

You’ve said everything.

I haven’t said anything, he roars as if he’s the one who’s been wronged.

I tried walking away with as much of my dignity intact as I could, but it appears Aaryn wants to rip everything from me. He forgets, I have claws too.

Did you have to? I challenge, spinning on my heel, pointing to their hands, fire shooting from my eyes. Did you think I was going to beg you to choose me?

I slap my chest now, showing him how ridiculous the action is.

Was I supposed to cry and ask why? Give you all my tears and beg you to stay? Ask you to remember the good times we’ve had the past twelve years?

Every word I utter gives me strength. I shake my head on a light laugh at the irony of my excitement earlier. How could I have wanted to marry this monster?

His piercing gaze, and the way he glares at me like I’m the one who broke us, is a joke. He’s a joke. And I’ve been the butt of it for too long.

I’m so glad I was wrong about this trip. The thought of you proposing Being married t— I shudder as the words lodge in my throat.

Propose? he mocks. To you?

The sneer turning up half his face warns me to prepare myself for the gut punch coming my way, but there’s not enough time as he lifts Ainsley’s hand. The shimmer from a massive diamond is all I see. My breath catches, and he smirks at my discomfort.

Why would I want to marry you when I’m engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world?

I’m shocked silent.

Numb.

Stupefied.

Twelve years. The time was never right. He wanted to buy another house. Boat. Car. I gave in to all his whims. His expensive getaways with friends. Parties. Everything to keep him in the spotlight.

It didn’t matter that none of it fit my personality. I wanted him to be happy. I thought he was happy. That we were happy.

Turns out, I was the supplier of his good times.

He was never going to make good on his word. He never planned to marry me. I was a fool.

I told you she didn’t care, he says to Ainsley.

Too consumed by her work, she replies, peering up at him, adoration in her gaze. Such a fraud. Selling love when she doesn’t believe in it.

My mouth gapes but words escape me. A fraud. Me? She can’t mean it.  Love is the basis of who I am. After all the years we’ve worked together, I thought she knew me.

I wait, hoping she’ll laugh. They both will, like this is a joke gone wrong. Then Ainsley stares at me, disgust written in her scowl. I recoil from the pain.

How could he have changed her opinion of me? How have I not seen her disdain?

Unwilling to fight anymore today, I walk over to Pablo, the butler, who has been quietly doing busy work while my love life implodes. Excusa, I say softly, not wanting to startle him.

He turns to me, compassion in his eyes. Thank goodness it’s not pity. I’m not sure I could take it.

¿Podrias empacar mis cosas, por favor? Te lo hare saber dónde deben ser enviadas tan pronto como sepa.

He nods, never looking to see Aaryn’s reaction.

Gracias.

A smile graces his face before he walks away.

What did you say to him, Darby? Does he only speak Spanish? How the fuck are we supposed to have anything done around here?

Those few sentences surround me in calm. His outrage over not knowing what I said might seem reasonable to some, but it goes way beyond that—it’s his need to have everything done for him.

I could tell him all I did was ask Pablo to pack my things and I’ll let him know where they’ll be going. But I’m done catering to his spoiled ass.

He lost the right to ask me anything.

As he sputters behind me, demanding I tell him what I said, give him the keys to the mansion, tell him the itinerary, I bend down and pick up my purse.

Ainsley begs him to calm down and focus on her as I walk outside and slip on my flip-flops. I just slide my fingers around my e-reader when she tells him they won’t have to deal with me much longer.

She’s right about that. I can’t wait to get as far away from them as possible.

Sashaying back into the room, I grab the bottle of champagne. I don’t want it, but they don’t deserve it. It’s too good for them.

All of this is.

It’s too bad I can’t get my money back on this place. It’s beautiful but way too much for me.

This isn’t over, he spits as I pass him.

Side-eyeing him, I sigh. This, I wave the champagne bottle between us, you and me, is most definitely over. You made sure of that.

I make my way to the door again. As my hand touches the handle, his voice reaches my ears.

It’s not over. Common law. Ever heard of it? I’m coming for half of everything you own.

My blood boils. The urge to murder him with the champagne bottle consumes me. Then I breathe. Years of being a woman running one of the most successful and profitable businesses in corporate America has taught me to keep my emotions in check.

Even when I want to kill the bastards. And Aaryn is a bastard.

So many comebacks fire through my mind. Several childish. Some witty. None that will help.

Law is not my specialty. Destination weddings and romantic getaways are. Until I can speak to my lawyer, I’m not going to get into a battle I may make worse, but I refuse to leave without saying something.

I look forward to seeing you in court.

His mouth drops open, shocked I’m not a crying, emotional wreck, begging him not to do this. That I’m not offering him a deal so he won’t drag me through the mud. He should know I’m tougher than that.

Congratulations. I hope you both find the happiness you deserve.

I close the door gently behind me, not needing to cause a scene, then laugh when I hear Ainsley say, What does she mean by the happiness we deserve?

Darby

It took me less than two minutes of standing outside the mansion I rented, wondering what the actual hell just happened, to start moving away from the door. Two minutes of thinking about how this day turned from excitement to horror. If they had chased after me right away, laughing that ‘they got me,’ I would have chalked it up to a bad prank. As the seconds ticked on, the truth settled in.

This was real.

Aaryn cheated on me. With Ainsley. The woman I’d been training as my protégé.

I wasn’t sure whose betrayal hurt worse.

Standing outside the door, hearing them chide me, made me feel small and taken advantage of.

I wanted to march back in there, scream all the ways they were wrong, unleash my fury, but I was mad at myself too—and I refused to let them see that.

So, I shook myself off and called a taxi. I knew what I needed to do, and I was wasting no more time wallowing. At least not where they could witness it.

As I waited for the taxi to arrive, I sent an email to Bernie Deville, my lawyer, outlining what had transpired. I had no doubt he’d get back to me quickly with a game plan.

People underestimate Bernie due to his short stature, calm demeanor, and soft voice. They think of him as a minnow. It’s not until they face him in court that they realize he’s a shark.

I’m ready for him to devour Aaryn and Ainsley.

Thinking their names makes me furious.

All the questions I didn’t want to ask popped into my mind. How long have they been sneaking around? Did they care about hurting me? Did they think about me at all?

How did you miss the signs?

Sniffing back a tear, I shake my head, resolute on not falling apart.

Ainsley’s accusation about me being a fraud, that I care more about my business than love, slams into me, taking my breath away, leaving me to question if I am, in some part, responsible for what happened.

Did I use material items too much to keep Aaryn happy? Was I not aware of his feelings? Did I ignore him? Was my work more important?

I’m serious about my business. It would fall apart if I wasn’t. I never denied or shied away from the fact that I could be a workaholic.

Did that make me a bad girlfriend?

My mind swirls through the years, the memories, searching for recollection of any time he mentioned being unhappy.

All I can find are smiling images.

What else has he been hiding behind his smiles?

My musings are cut short as the driver pulls up and I get in. I don’t look back as we drive away. There’s nothing left for me here.

Instructing the driver where to go, I call Jacinta Romero, a contact at a resort in Cabo San Lucas. The first resort Ready, Set, Romance! signed on within Mexico. When I branched out of the United States to take my destination wedding and romance getaway business international, the Romero family had been thrilled to be a part of my expansion.

After years of a wonderful business relationship, Jacinta is happy to set me up in a room.

Happy is nowhere in my emotional wheelhouse, but I keep it together while we chat. The news she’s pregnant feels like an extra kick in the face, but I congratulate her wholeheartedly, reminding myself my loss shouldn’t taint her happiness.

Once I hang up with her, I call the resort I booked the mansion through to update the names of the guests and switch the couple’s services over to them. I sure as hell won’t be going back to partake in them, and I despise wasting money. Though all this feels like I’m rewarding them for hurting me, I keep telling myself the services I hold onto make up for it, but even those are meant for two. I should go home, but I’ve been looking forward to this downtime. Relaxing on a beach and sipping a margarita sounds so much better than paperwork.

Why should they have all the fun while I suffer?

Just as I finish telling the resort where to send my bags and hang up, my cell rings again. The last person I expect to call is my mom. Not because we have a bad relationship, but she thinks I’m on a romantic getaway.

Hi, Mom.

My attempt at lighthearted happiness comes off dull. I hate how defeated I sound.

Oh, baby girl. I’m so sorry.

She can’t know. There’s no way.

How’d you find out?

Head against the window, I shut my eyes, preparing myself for what’s coming next.

The bastard put it on Facebook, my father rages through the line. I’m going to kill him. Fly down there and strangle that piece of shit.

Wai...wh...put what on Facebook?

My heart speeds up. My skin grows clammy. What has Aaryn done?

He put up he’s engaged. My mother sighs. I thought he was talking about the two of you. I couldn’t believe you would let him put it on social media before telling us, then I saw pictures of him and Ainsley. How could he do this? Did you know?

No, is all I can manage as my anger builds again.

It’s not enough he proposed to another woman on the trip he asked me to plan for us, that he shattered the life we built together by being a cheating son-of-a-bitch, he had to humiliate me for all to see.

Ahhh! Aaryn is a dick! The biggest one ever. Not that he has the biggest one, but he is the most ginormous, monumental, colossal dick in the world. My hand flies through the air in front of me, slicing him to pieces with every word. God, he’d probably take that as a compliment, which shows how much of a dick he is. Dick! Dick! Dick!

My outburst takes me by surprise. The driver eyes me in the rearview mirror, and my cheeks flush at his wide-eyed gaze.

Lo siento.

The apology is weak as his gaze drops and goes back to the road. Embarrassment consumes me.

Are you on your way to the airport? my mother asks, redirecting the conversation.

No.

No? One shocked word comes from both my parents.

I take a minute before answering. My parents are the best. Always have been. They’ve supported me through everything, but they may not be ready to hear my confession.

If I leave, they win. They’ve won enough.

Their silence is telling. They’re disappointed and think I’m making the wrong decision.

How can I make them understand?

On a huff, I continue. Why aren’t I devastated? I’m sad and hurt, but shouldn’t I be crying? Screaming? Begging God for answers? Why don’t I feel like my world is off-axis? What’s wrong with me?

Nothing. Again, they speak in unison.

We were together for twelve years, I challenge, needing them to hear me. I shouldn’t be so calm. I should be a wreck. Why am I like this? Was Ainsley right?

About what?

Am I a fraud? I sell love but don’t believe in it? I only care about work?

That’s poppycock.

I giggle at my mother’s old-school jargon. Seriously, Mom. I do work a lot.

Because you’re devoted to your clients, to giving them the most romantic weddings and getaways, to their love stories. I’ve never met anyone more invested in love than you.

What if I can’t feel it, though? Can’t give it—receive it?

An overwhelming sense of loss fills me, leaving me cold and morose.

That’s not possible. You loved that...dick, she says after a short pause, annoyance filling her tone. He had your whole heart for a long time, but I think you started seeing the truth at some point.

The truth?

Mmhmm, she tuts. I picture her nodding, her graying hair swaying at her neck. You knew he wasn’t the one. He was always meant to move on. I wish it hadn’t been this way. You deserve better.

Her words hit like a flash of lightning, forcing me to take a harder look at our relationship. At how it changed over the years.

When I first met him, his charm pulled me in, and the way he encouraged me to go after my dreams had me falling hard. I thought I was the luckiest girl to have such a supportive man by my side.

Over the years, his support became contingent on him getting things. I wrote it off as a sacrifice for the time I put into making my business a success. He deserved all the good coming my way as much as I did.

He began to work out more, focused on a fitness model body, while jumping from job to job or not working at all. I took care of us financially, never questioning whether he’d find his way. I put the same faith into him he had in me.

Then came the parties and cars. Him needing boats and houses. Extravagant vacations. I couldn’t spend enough. It was always, Just this one last thing, Darbs, and I’d get lost in his blue-gray eyes, the storm forever brewing as he worked his magic, manipulating me into believing he needed it.

The more he wanted to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, the less time we spent together, the less affectionate we were. He promised it was a phase, and I trusted him.

I thought we would find our way, but as I sit in the taxi looking back on things, I realize our path disappeared years ago. We became comfortable. Complacent.

It wasn’t love. Not the heart-stopping, breathtaking, can’t-picture-a-moment-without-the-other love. He wanted to spend more time with friends, and I didn’t fight him on that. It should have been a sign we weren’t us anymore.

Why hadn’t I been willing to see it?

Had I been so blinded by my desire for a happily ever after, I’d been willing to settle?

Oh my gosh, I whisper. I wasted so many years.

Honey, my dad says, time is never wasted if you learn from it.

It would almost be comical if there wasn’t wisdom in his statement. I’m sure there are dozens of lessons from my relationship with Aaryn—many I won’t want to learn.

I should have listened to you a long time ago, Dad. You said he was a putz the first time you met him.

Ehhh, what child listens to her parents?

We all chuckle.

"Thank you both for calling. I