Mending His Dream

Family duty called Sergeant Levi Renner home to Liberty Cove. With ailing parents depending on him, he’ll take any job that keeps him close to home—even if it means giving up his Air Force dreams and working with Brooke Larsen, the veterinarian who just moved back to town… the ex he’s never gotten out of his mind.

Brooke never imagined she’d end up in her old hometown, but that’s exactly where she found herself after falling on hard times. Accepting a temporary job as the resident veterinarian at the Wounded Warrior Rescue seems like a great first step toward rebuilding her career until she runs into Levi, the ex she never really got over.

When the lovable town matchmaker pushes them together, the same insecurities that drove them apart years ago rise to the surface. Despite the feelings they still have for each other, any chance of rekindling their relationship seems out of reach. When their insistent matchmaker won't quit scheming, the only way to protect their hearts is to fake a relationship and convince her that her services are no longer needed.

But fake dating an ex you’re still in love with is a dangerous game that isn’t as easy as either of them counted on.

“Hear me out.” Levi gazed at his ex-girlfriend sitting in the sand beside him. The way the ocean breeze teased her hair made it hard to think of anything but running his fingers through those silky, blonde strands. “This might sound crazy, but if we can pull it off, we’ll be sitting pretty.”

Brooke shifted to face him, her leg brushing against his and sending his pulse racing. “I’m intrigued. Go on.”

“That scene back at the rescue with Kat was pretty intense. Am I right?”

“No kidding. I signed up to be the veterinarian at the rescue. I didn’t come to get set up with my ex." She paused and flashed him a wry smile. "No offense. What’s with her?”

Levi stretched out on the sand, reclining on the dune with his fingers interlocked behind his head. “She’s set her sights on us, Brooke, that’s what’s with her.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“She’s decided that we need to be a couple again.”

Color rushed into Brooke’s cheeks, and she cleared her throat. “Umm, that sounds equally as ominous.” She turned her gaze out to the calming waters of the Gulf of Mexico. “We’ll just have to have a talk with her. Set her straight. That’s all.”

Levi shook his head and chuckled as he sat up. “Poor, innocent, naïve Brooke. You don’t get it.” He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, speaking like a veteran recounting the horrors of war. “I’ve seen things. The woman is a scary good matchmaker. Scary good and relentless. I thought it was hilarious when she was pushing for Trent and Olivia to get together, but…”

“But it’s not so funny now,” Brooke completed his thought.

“Bingo.”

Brooke puffed her cheeks and then released a deep breath. “I still think we should just tell her we’re not interested. Everybody will move on. No harm done.”

“Wrong.” Levi chuckled. “I didn’t spend all my time laughing at Trent while Kat was playing matchmaker. I also did a lot of watching. The only time Kat ever backed off was when she thought her setups were working.”

“How does that help us?”

“The only way to control Kat’s matchmaking is to control our response to it.” He suddenly became aware of just how close he and Brooke were sitting. His heart didn’t seem to remember that they had broken up nearly a decade ago. It still throbbed in his chest at the mere thought of her name. Sparks ignited in the pit of his stomach every time she looked his way. He swallowed hard. “Kat wants us to get back together. So, let’s give her what she wants.”

Brooke chewed the inside of her cheek, her lashes fluttering as Levi’s words sunk in. “I’m sorry, but that idea isn’t going to work for me.”

She started to get up, but Levi rested a hand on her arm. His breath hitched in his throat at the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips again after so many years. Those ten years had felt more like ten lifetimes since he’d held her in his arms. “Give me a chance to explain.”

She shook her head. “We can’t just get back together because someone else thinks we should, Levi. We broke up for a reason.” She slipped her arm away.

Now that he was looking into Brooke’s clear blue eyes again, he was having a hard time remembering what that reason was. “I don’t mean we should actually get back together. I propose that we engage in an epic battle of wits. It’ll be you and me against our unwanted matchmaker. As long as we keep Kat thinking that she’s winning, we’ll be the ones walking away with the W.” He tilted his head and contorted his face into an unnatural wink.

Brooke’s brows shot up. She ducked her head and whispered as if they were in danger of being overheard by the seagulls circling overhead. “Are you saying you want to pretend like we’re dating?”

“Not necessarily dating. If Kat thinks we’re heading in that direction, she’ll back off and let nature take its course. I’ve seen it happen before.”

She hugged her torso and gazed out at the water, an impish smile growing on her lips. “This could be fun.”

“Yep,” Levi said. “It’ll be easy as pie. I’ll hold a few doors open for you. You can bat your eyelashes at me. And ba-da-boom! We’ll be home free.”

Brooke folded her lips inward and giggled. “I like it.”

Warmth exploded in Levi’s gut at the sound. It felt good to be on the same side again after all these years. He could get used to this… but not too used to it.