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Blurb
Once upon a time, there was a charming climber and a stubborn photographer who swore she'd never fall—until she did.
Stella
I don't do roots. Or relationships. Or anything that involves the word “forever.”
But Luke Farley? He’s the kind of man who makes one night feel like a promise. With that stupidly perfect smile, a body built for sin, and hands that know exactly what they’re doing—he’s dangerously easy to want.
It was supposed to be casual.
A few non-dates, a little flirting, and zero expectations.
Now I’m staring down feelings I swore I’d never catch… and falling for a man who climbs like he was born to take risks.
And worst of all? I don’t want to run.
Luke
Stella Young walked into my life like a dare I couldn’t resist—smart mouth, with a camera around her neck and zero intention of sticking around. She warned me not to catch feelings.
Too late.
She’s the one I want—complicated, messy, and magnetic as hell.
She says she’s not built for love.
I think she’s just scared of falling.
Good thing I’m here to catch her.
Click of Fate is a swoony, one-night-stand romance about climbing risks, letting go of fear, and finding the kind of love worth falling for.
Copyright © 2025, Lauren Helms
When Alex texted me earlier today and told me about the fun special he had running tonight, he demanded that I stop by. When I realized I actually had the evening free and didn’t really need to stick around my office until ten like I normally do, I decided beer and meatballs sounded pretty fire.
“So, I’m not going to lie, I was wondering what Meatball Thursday was all about,” Stella says, reading over the small menu Alex dropped in front of us.
Glancing down at it myself, I realize he once again went all out for specialty food night.
“Yeah, I’ll give it to Alex. He knows how to pair beer and food.” I chuckle when I see he has seven different pairings.
“I never really think much of meatballs, but I’m strangely excited about this.”
“Do you think meatballs live rent-free in most people’s minds?” I ask her, and while she doesn’t look at me, I see her smile and know I’m on the right track with her.
I really didn’t plan on hooking up tonight, but this woman is intriguing as hell. There is something about her that screams, You want to get to know me, but I won’t make it easy. I’ve always found that hard work pays off.
“So, you own a rock climbing gym?” she asks as she looks around the crowded bar. I guess I still haven’t earned her full attention.
“I run it. I don’t own it yet. Family business. I’ve been given some freedom to prove myself,” I tell her honestly.
“Ah. That sounds both invigorating and stressful.” She glances at me. The Trading Post isn’t a dark and dreary place, so there’s plenty of light for me to see the look she gives me. She must know a thing or two about having to prove herself.
“It is. What about you?” I ask her, picking up my glass and taking a sip.
She finally gives me her attention, and her face lights up as she starts to share. “I’m a photojournalist.”
Impressed, I lean back and whistle. “Look at you. That’s an impressive career.” She smiles and shrugs, trying to play it cool. “So, what kind of things do you photo journal about?”
She lifts her chin. “Sports, cultural events, and human-interest stories across the US.”
“Like…” I just want her to keep talking; she’s clearly passionate about her career.
“I’ve covered Mardi Gras, several major music festivals, people with interesting jobs—like storm chasers—and most recently, last year’s X Games in Aspen.”
“Wow. So I bet you’ve seen a lot of interesting stuff.”
“You could say that. But I’ve never needed a meatball served seven ways with beer.” She laughs, grinning wide, and I can’t help it—I’m locked in. She’s fucking gorgeous when she isn’t pretending she isn’t invested in our conversation.
Determined, I clear my throat. “All right, first test. What kind of meatballs are you getting?” I ask her.
“What do you mean, first test? What happens if I fail?” She finally looks away from the menu and levels me with a challenging look.
“I get up and leave. That’s it. That’s the deal breaker.” I know I’m taking a risk by saying this, but I’m nothing if not a risk taker.
She ponders this for a moment, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “That’s dramatic. You own a climbing gym, not a Michelin-star restaurant.”
“Hey, you learn a lot about a person from their food choices. You get Swedish meatballs, you’re a comfort creature. You pick buffalo, you live for chaos.”
“And what about bourbon barbecue?” she asks, eyeing the menu again.
“You like things sweet with a little kick. You act tough but secretly love cozy things, like flannel and autumn and sad acoustic music.” I don’t tell her that perfectly describes me.
“That’s disturbingly specific. Do you also moonlight as a psychic?” she challenges.
“Nah, I just observe things.” I grin at her and tap my glass. We’ll need to get some food in front of us before we get another drink if we plan on keeping up this flirting tonight.
“All right, Professor Meatball, what are you getting?” she asks as she turns toward me, crossing one leg over the other, her Converse-covered foot dangling dangerously close.
“I’m feeling the Korean gochujang. Spicy, unexpected, and a little bit of an adventure,” I tell her with a slow, knowing smirk. Let her read into that.
Her mouth twitches with a ghost of a smile. “That tracks. I was gonna say it sounds reckless, but you probably climb rocks for fun.”
“And you photograph people doing reckless things for fun. Not so different.”
“Hmm. Maybe.” She studies me, and the attention is addicting.
“So, what’s it gonna be? Are we food soulmates or is this doomed before it starts?”
Stella taps her finger over her lips as she pretends to think hard. Laughter twinkles in her eyes as she watches me. “Bourbon barbecue. Guess I’m leaning into the ‘sweet with a kick’ label.”
I pump my fist in the air. “Knew it.”
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Once upon a time, there was a grumpy CEO who met a wedding planner who never stopped smiling…
Cassie
You could say that I live and breath weddings and love, and as a wedding planner, a happily ever after is the main event. So when I learn that Theo Abbot absolutely hates weddings, that should be my clue to run for the hills as fast as my sexy little black stilettos will take me.
But I digress.
I'm on the hunt for my own epic love story, one T-Swift herself could write a song about. Which means unavailable and seemingly uninterested CEOs are off limits. Even if the man oozes sex appeal and his grumpiness turns me to mush.
A little flirting never hurt anyone.
Theo
Cassie Winters shines so bright I need a pair of Ray-bans to look directly at her. Problem is, once I've set my eyes on her, I can't seem to look away. The woman is a walking, talking promotion for all things love and happiness.
Hand me an antacid.
Counting, on one hand, the amount of times I've failed in my life, leaves me knowing I won't ever do "love" again. I'm set in my ways and not even this sexy little spitfire could sweet talk me out of my decision to never get married. Yet it only took one drink to derail that plan.
But, things aren't always as they seem and when real life gets in the way of this fairy tale, we're both forced to take a hard look at what we truly want.
Are we both ready to wed or is this a wildfire that's about to burn out?
Layla
I've always been in the business of love. Happily Ever After, Inc. has thrived under my leadership and the hard set of rules that I set for myself. But when a never quite forgotten blast from my past walks into my life, I'm suddenly questioning everything and everyone around me.
Cole Reed is everything I want in a man - handsome, successful, and charming.
There's just one minor hiccup... Cole is Happily Ever After's latest client, and he's got his sights on me.
Cole
I'm used to getting what I want and I've never left a date unhappy. So when my grandmother insists I need to work with a matchmaker... her lifelong best friend at that... I'm skeptical. Especially when my path crosses with the girl that always seemed to get away.
She's sexy, smart, and determined - everything I've always admired about her. And this time, I refuse to let her get away.
There's just one minor problem... Layla James is my so-called matchmaker's granddaughter - and the owner of the matchmaking company that's just taken me on.
It feels like a weird twist of date that's put the two of us back in each other's life, but Layla doesn't quite see it that way.
Can I convince her to break a few rules and take a chance on our own happily ever after?
Lauren Helms writes romance that’s nerdy, flirty, and just a little bit dirty. Her stories are set in big cities with small-town vibes, where every couple gets their happily ever after—and probably a few swoony gaming references along the way. Her love for love stories started with a book blog and leveled up fast—thanks to her background in video game strategy publishing and a passion for stories that make your heart race. That magic combo sparked her beloved Gamer Boy series, and she's been writing HEAs ever since.
She’s also the founder of Indie Pen PR, where she helps fellow romance authors bring their book boyfriends to life and make some serious buzz in the process. When she’s not plotting meet-cutes or helping other authors promote theirs, Lauren’s all about iced coffee, perfectly color-coded planners, and binge-worthy TV.
She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and their three aspiring nerds-in-training—where love, laughter, and chaos are always part of the storyline.
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