Marie Ferrarella - Meant To Be Mine

The boy next door is back...and after her heart!

He’s a “gift”—a referral from the Matchmaking Mamas—sent by Tiffany Lee’s mother to do her bathroom remodel. But the real surprise is that Tiffany already knows Eddie Montoya. When they were little, he was her playground protector. When they were in college, Eddie was her campus competition. And now she’s a teacher and he’s her handyman?

Well, just on weekends. On Monday morning, Eddie shows up at Tiffany’s school—as the new third-grade teacher. When a fund-raising contest between classes is announced, the old rivalry heats up. And it’s game on! Except as the playful competition intensifies, so do their feelings for each other. And Eddie begins to wonder if they might work better...as a team.

“I was thinking of making tiramisu, but ran out of time. Next time,” he promised.

That caught her completely off guard.

“Next time?” she repeated, feeling as if the words were suddenly falling from her lips in cartoonlike slow motion.

“Yes. Unless you want to be the one to make the dessert,” he told her.

Except for scrambled eggs and toast, she was a total disaster in the kitchen when it came to doing anything but cleaning it.

“I’d rather not have to call the paramedics,” she told him.

His smile was nothing if not encouraging. “It can’t be that bad.”

“It’s not that good, either,” she told him.

It was supposed to be a flat, flippant denial but she just couldn’t seem to get her head in gear because her mind was currently focused elsewhere.

It was focused on the way Eddie’s lips moved when he spoke.

Tiffany rose to her feet, thinking that she would make a getaway, or at least make some sort of an excuse and slip into the bathroom, away from him. But he rose with her and suddenly she wasn’t going anywhere.

At least not without her lips, and they were currently occupied. More specifically, they were pressing against his.

* * *

Matchmaking Mamas:Playing Cupid. Arranging dates. What are mothers for?

Meant to be Mine

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

To Tiffany Khauo-Melgar & Edy Melgar

Wishing You Happiness Forever & Always

And

To the Memory of Anne J. Nocton

My Fifth Grade Teacher

Who First Made Me Believe I Had Talent

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The boy next door is back...and after her heart! He’s a “gift”—a referral from the Matchmaking Mamas—sent by Tiffany Lee’s mother to do her bathroom remodel. But the real surprise is that Tiffany already knows Eddie Montoya. When they were little, he was her playground protector. When they were in college, Eddie was her campus competition. And now she’s a teacher and he’s her handyman? Well, just on weekends. On Monday morning, Eddie shows up at Tiffany’s school—as the new third-grade teacher. When a fund-raising contest between classes is announced, the old rivalry heats up. And it’s game on! Except as the playful competition intensifies, so do their feelings for each other. And Eddie begins to wonder if they might work better...as a team.

Introduction “I was thinking of making tiramisu, but ran out of time. Next time,” he promised. That caught her completely off guard. “Next time?” she repeated, feeling as if the words were suddenly falling from her lips in cartoonlike slow motion. “Yes. Unless you want to be the one to make the dessert,” he told her. Except for scrambled eggs and toast, she was a total disaster in the kitchen when it came to doing anything but cleaning it. “I’d rather not have to call the paramedics,” she told him. His smile was nothing if not encouraging. “It can’t be that bad.” “It’s not that good, either,” she told him. It was supposed to be a flat, flippant denial but she just couldn’t seem to get her head in gear because her mind was currently focused elsewhere. It was focused on the way Eddie’s lips moved when he spoke. Tiffany rose to her feet, thinking that she would make a getaway, or at least make some sort of an excuse and slip into the bathroom, away from him. But he rose with her and suddenly she wasn’t going anywhere. At least not without her lips, and they were currently occupied. More specifically, they were pressing against his. * * * Matchmaking Mamas: Playing Cupid. Arranging dates. What are mothers for?

Title Page Meant to be Mine Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Tiffany Khauo-Melgar & Edy Melgar Wishing You Happiness Forever & Always And To the Memory of Anne J. Nocton My Fifth Grade Teacher Who First Made Me Believe I Had Talent

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

Tiffany Lee’s eyes lit up the moment that she saw him.

She might only be four years old, but she was a woman who knew her own heart and her heart belonged to Monty. That was what he told her his name was when she got up the nerve to ask him.

Monty.

His family lived in the house down the block and had only been there a couple of months, but it was long enough for her to make up her mind that when she grew up, she was going to marry him.

“Let’s go, Tiffany, you are making your sisters late for school,” her mother scolded.

She was deliberately dawdling, hanging back until Monty could catch up to her. He went to her school, as did his sisters.

“I’m trying to button my sweater, Mama,” she said, seizing the first excuse she could think of. It was a cool spring morning and her sweater was hanging open because she’d put the buttons into the wrong holes and had to start again.

Her mother looked at her impatiently. She had rules about being late. Mama had rules about everything. She said you couldn’t grow up properly without rules to guide you.

“You do not need to button your sweater, it is not cold,” Mei-Li Lee told her youngest born. “Just hold it against you. Now come!”

“I can help you button that,” the boy who had caught her young heart offered, coming up to her. “It won’t take long,” he promised.