Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance)

by Robyn Neeley

  She didn’t even crack a smile. “For your tux. I’ll make an appointment before I leave.”

  “Sure. Whatever you need.”

  “I can arrange for someone to come to the hotel tomorrow morning. We can do Drew’s as well. You guys won’t even need to leave.”

  “Listen, Kate,” Luke started, taking advantage of the few minutes he had alone with her while his brother showed the valet the blown tire. “I was hoping to spend some time alone with you … ” He could see her eyebrows borough in confusion. “ … to talk about the wedding. When will you be back from Maui on Sunday?”

  “Not until the afternoon.”

  Luke’s heart sunk. His plane would be well in the air, headed to New York City by then.

  “We could have lunch right now if you’d like?” she offered.

  He very much would. “That sounds great.”

  “What sounds great?” Drew approached with Luke’s suitcase. “Man, you pack light.”

  Because it’s empty, idiot. “We’re going to grab a bite to eat,” Luke said. “I’ll take that.”

  “Terrific. I’m starving. We can eat in the hotel’s restaurant. They’ve got a nice menu.”

  “Don’t you have a conference call with New York?” Luke asked, hoping his brother would detect the “get lost” message.

  Drew shook his head. “No, don’t think so. Did one this morning. My schedule’s clear for the rest of the day.”

  “Fine. Table for three it is,” Luke said flatly. It was times like this that he wished he were an only child.

  • • •

  Kate sipped her iced tea on the back terrace while listening as Drew and Luke joked about the bachelor party. She didn’t know what she was thinking inviting Luke to lunch. He seemed so desperate to talk to her about the wedding that the invitation flew out of her mouth before she could reel it back in. Then, before she knew it, Drew joined them.

  After ordering, they spent the next two hours chatting about the wedding. She also finally learned a little bit about their family business.

  Kate had to admit, she was enjoying the conversation. Their lives were quite fascinating, having grown up in the Big Apple and now working together to lead JDL Toys. She recalled vividly stepping into the flagship store as a child for the first time. Her mother had taken her there to pick out a book once when they visited New York City shortly after the divorce. It was a magical place for her eight-year-old self.

  Despite Drew’s apparent lack of morals and ability to make smart choices when it came to his personal life, the work that Luke and he did, helping their dad build the company, was truly impressive. The fact that she was lunching with two widely successful businessmen didn’t escape her.

  She didn’t ask, but she suspected Luke wasn’t in a serious relationship. His ring finger was bare and he hadn’t brought up a girlfriend yet. She wondered if the Cannon men had trouble with commitment. How badly had their father scarred them during those early years? It must have been hard on both of them to grow up without their mother.

  She stared across the table at the twins. She couldn’t get over how identical they were from their blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, to their square jaws and right dimple. If they dressed alike, there would be no way to tell them apart.

  Although physically they were mirror image, she was detecting their personalities were polar opposites. While they both had a funny sense of humor, Drew seemed a little more open and laid back. From the stories they told, she guessed Luke was the more reserved, responsible and pragmatic of the two.

  Then again, getting on a plane to Hawaii for forty-eight hours didn’t seem all that logical to her. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe they were similar.

  “So, guys.” She paused and pushed the remaining salad on her plate with her fork, spearing a crouton. She hoped they’d be ordering dessert soon. “Is there any way to tell you two apart? Birthmark, scar?”

  Drew shook his head. “Only one way. Luke doesn’t have a — ”

  Luke put his hand up in the air, cutting him off. “We don’t want to give all our secrets away.”

  “He’ll show you later,” Drew winked and leaned back in his chair. “You know, you two should seriously hang out. I bet you have a lot in common.”

  Kate smiled dryly. What was he suggesting? Was he trying to pawn Luke off as some consolation prize? From the look on Luke’s face, he was more mortified at the suggestion than she was.

  “I should leave.” She set her fork down and lifted the napkin from her lap, placing it on the table. “I need to pack.”

  Luke reached for her arm. “Kate, don’t let my brother’s bluntness scare you away. Share some dessert with me.”

  She hesitated but settled back in her chair. Something sweet would be nice. “Miles says the coconut papaya cake here is to die for.”

  “Then one coconut papaya cake coming up.” Luke motioned for a waiter, asking for one cake with two forks. He didn’t even bother asking his brother.

  Drew picked up his glass and chomped on the ice. “So, Kate. What is your assistant doing with my bride right now?”

  “Well, for the last … ” She checked her watch. It was almost four o’clock. Had they really been talking for almost two and a half hours? “Well, since noon, they’ve been worshipping the Sun God somewhere out there.” She pointed to the beach.

  Drew seemed surprised. “Seriously? That’s unlike Lauren.”

  “What’s unlike Lauren?” she asked.

  “She doesn’t go out in the sun. It’s not her thing. She has a tendency to develop an allergic reaction if she gets too much.”

  “What? You’re joking, right?”

  “No, it’s true. Last summer in Tahiti. We had to take her to the emergency room. Remember that?”

  Luke nodded. “Pretty bad burn.”

  “But she’s so tan.” Kate reached down for her purse.

  “Yeah, and she buys it. She sprays one or two times a week. She’s white as a ghost once it wears off.”

  “Oh, crap!” Kate sprung up. “I told Miles to give her SPF Four. We should go check on them.”

  Luke offered to take care of the bill while Drew and she tried to call Lauren and Miles on their phones. No luck. Neither one picked up.

  “They have to be close. I’ll go look.” Kate rushed down the stairs of the terrace that led to the sand. It was crowded with beachgoers and brightly colored umbrellas. She’d never find them. “Oh, God, what have I done?”

  Worst-case scenario, Lauren would have a bad burn and sun poisoning, best case, she’d be peeling for weeks to come. Best case could be as bad as worst as far as Kate was concerned. She didn’t need a badly peeling bride on her hands.

  Hopefully, Miles and Lauren realized that they needed to use better sun protection. She looked around frantically. Who was she kidding? Her assistant didn’t know what sunscreen was if it was lathered all over him. If they were drinking, and that text from earlier indicated they were, their judgment would be very bad. She needed to find them now.

  Luke and Drew came up beside her. They continued to search the crowded beach. Luke was the first to spot them. “They’re over there. I see Lauren.”

  Kate followed his hand toward the ocean. Lauren and Miles were nearly in the water. She dashed in their direction, dodging beachgoers. Two young women shot her a dirty look as she rushed by, kicking sand on them. “Sorry, sorry. You can have one of these guys for your trouble.” She motioned to Luke and Drew. “Pick one, they’re identical.”

  The women looked intrigued by the proposition.

  “Not today, ladies,” Luke said.

  Drew caught up to Kate. “Kate, I’m sure Lauren’s fine. She’s probably got a gallon of sunscreen on. She’s not an idiot.”

  “I know, but Miles can be very convincing. He once talked me in to using only baby oil.” She stopped in her tracks in horror. Lauren and Miles were straight in front of them, bright pink daiquiri glasses wedged in the sand. Lauren’s back was nearly the same shade
of pink.

  “Miles! For the love of God!”

  “Kate!” Lauren turned around. “Baby!” She jumped up and stumbled, falling into Drew. “We have more drinks coming. Come join us.” She took off her sunglasses. “Oh … my … God. Luke Cannon’s on the beach? I don’t believe it.” She eyed his long black shirt and smirked. “You do know you’re in Hawaii?”

  Luke’s lips turned up in a dry smile. “You certainly do. Spring break Two-Thousand-One?”

  “Ha, ha.” Lauren plopped down. “You’re so funny, Luke.” She motioned for Kate. “Kate, meet the boring, straight-laced twin.” She pulled Drew down on her beach towel, wrapping her arms around his legs.

  Kate grabbed Miles by the arm. “Get up. Now.”

  “Owey! You’re pinching me.” He pushed her away. She could tell he’d had one too many drinks.

  “You need to go pack,” she ordered. “We’re going to Maui.”

  “What? Right now?” Miles looked like he was unable to register what she was saying.

  “In one hour.”

  Lauren shrieked. “Baby, what is she talking about? Are we getting married in Maui?”

  Drew stroked her blonde hair. “Yes, we are. That’s what you want, right?”

  She answered with a slobbering drunk kiss.

  Kate focused her attention on Miles. “Let’s go.” She reached down and tugged on his beach towel. She was not going to watch Drew and Lauren make out on the beach.

  Miles stood. “I’m sorry, Kate. I’ll go pack.” He wobbled back and forth, trying to get his footing in the sand. “We only had a couple drinks.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Look,” he pointed at the suntan oil wedged into the sand. “SPF Four just like you asked.”

  Kate grimaced and picked up the bottle, opening the lid. The seal hadn’t been broken. “We need to leave, now.”

  “Yes, captain.” Miles motioned with his hand and turned quickly. He fell face first in the sand, jolting Lauren and Drew out of their kiss.

  Kate dropped to her knees. This wasn’t happening. “Miles, Miles.” She shook his shoulder.

  Luke motioned for a lifeguard sitting nearby, while Drew and Lauren looked on. A few moments later it was determined that a conscious Miles would live, but he’d have one hell of a hangover in the morning.

  Kate helped Miles sit up and glanced over at Lauren. Even in the sun, she could see she was as red as a lobster. “Drew, please take Lauren inside now before she gets any redder.”

  “Kate, doll, I’m going to be fine,” Lauren buried her head in Drew’s chest. “Please don’t be hard on Miles. He’s my new BFF.”

  Drew picked her up and headed toward the hotel. “Let’s go, my love.”

  Lauren called out drunkenly behind Drew’s shoulder. “Miles, you’re my best friend forever!”

  The lifeguard helped Miles stagger back to the hotel. Kate would deal with him later. Her assistant had never gotten smashed with a client. How could he be so careless? If anyone at Tie Your Knot got wind of this incident, they’d both be in hot water. Janet had zero tolerance for such behavior. Their boss once fired a planner for getting tipsy with a bride and groom in the limo on the way to the reception.

  She shook her head and bent down to pick up the abandoned beach towels and plastic cocktail glasses. There was no way Miles could get on a plane in one hour. She hated that he wouldn’t be going with her. It was Tie Your Knot practice to always have someone to bounce ideas off of during site selection. She didn’t feel comfortable going without a wingman.

  Who was she kidding? She’d be fine selecting a site on her own. What she didn’t want to do is get on a small, private plane by herself. Little planes terrified her even more than big ones.

  She could call off the trip, but there was one big problem. She’d already told Janet. Her boss was currently making some calls and no doubt pulling favors to set up meetings for Kate to tour premium ceremony and reception spaces in Maui. Kate couldn’t tell her the trip was cancelled. That wouldn’t fly.

  “I guess I’ll have to go alone,” she muttered.

  “I could go with you.”

  She spun around to see whose mouth that comment had come from. Luke was standing behind her, sunglasses on and fists jammed into his jean pockets. In all the commotion, she had forgotten about him. “You want to go to Maui with me?”

  He approached. “Sure. Drew and I vacationed there many times with our nanny. I could be your chauffeur and tour guide. I know the island like the back of my hand. It could save you precious time.”

  Kate hesitated. “I don’t know.” She shook out one of the beach towels, still trying to process his suggestion. Traveling to a romantic island with a guy who was the spitting image of Drew. It sounded like a terrible idea.

  Luke grabbed the other towel from her and gave it a shake. “It would give us time to talk about the wedding.”

  “But didn’t you come here to be with your brother? What about planning the bachelor party? Weren’t you going to do some of that tomorrow?”

  He chuckled. “We have plenty of time for that. I think Drew has his hands full for now.”

  Kate agreed. “That he does.” Lauren would be feeling the effects of too much sun and cocktails soon, and probably for a couple days to come.

  He folded the towel and handed it back. “Listen. I know we just met, but I’d like to be involved in my brother’s wedding. Consider this my contribution.”

  Kate eyed him. It would be nice to have someone accompany her who was familiar with Maui. “I guess it would be okay. If you’re sure you want to go, that is?”

  He nodded. “I’m sure.”

  They walked back to the hotel and made plans to meet in the lobby in twenty minutes to taxi to the airport.

  Luke pointed to the hotel restaurant. “I left my suitcase earlier with the hostess. I’ll go get it and meet you back here when you’re ready. Take your time.”

  “Okay. See you soon.” Kate gave a short wave and pressed the elevator button, waiting for the doors to open. Once in, she leaned on the back rail and closed her eyes. Did this day really happen? Dear God. Was she really about to get on a private plane to spend the weekend on a romantic island with Drew’s twin brother? Apparently, yes. God had a wicked sense of humor.

  Chapter Nine

  Luke waited for the elevator door to close. With Kate safely out of view, he retrieved his empty carryon from the restaurant and raced to his suite, all the while praying she wouldn’t come out of her room and catch him. After all, she still believed Drew and Lauren were staying in the room next to her.

  He tore through his room, grabbing clothes from hangers and drawers and shoving them in his suitcase. He cursed himself for completely unpacking, a routine habit. Right now he wished he were more like his brother who never bothered to take anything out of his suitcase.

  He ran into the bathroom and flipped on the light. Gripping his shaving kit, he paused and glanced at himself in the mirror. How could this one woman do this to him? He’d never allowed his heart to want someone so badly. It felt good, he knew that much.

  And that feeling wouldn’t go away anytime soon. He would spend this weekend with Kate. Alone. No Drew. No Lauren. No Miles. This afternoon couldn’t have played out any better. Sure, he was slightly concerned for his soon-to-be sister-in-law and Kate’s assistant, but they’d be fine. He’d check in with Drew after they landed in Maui.

  He picked up his suitcase and exited the room, shutting the door quietly. Using quick strides, he reached the elevator and pushed the button. “Come on. Come on.”

  Just as the steel doors opened, Kate turned the corner. “Hi,” she said. From the look on her face, she was clearly surprised to see him. “What are you doing up here?”

  “Um … I was … ” he stammered, “I was checking on Lauren.”

  “Oh.”

  He held the elevator door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. Her sweet flowery perfume tickled his nostrils. She had changed int
o a short royal blue dress with a shiny black belt and matching black heels. Her dark, wavy hair was no longer in a ponytail but falling loosely past her shoulders. “You changed.”

  “I had to.” She laughed. “My outfit took a beating today. Not sure which was worse. Helping your brother change a tire or nearly having to resuscitate my assistant.”

  “All in a day’s work, I’m sure.”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, you look nice,” Luke said.

  “Thank you.”

  They both stared upward at the descending floor numbers, succumbing to awkward elevator silence.

  “How is she?” Kate was the first to speak as the elevator stopped on the fourth floor.

  “How is who?” He turned to look at her.

  “Lauren.” She stepped closer to him, making room for a family of four. Her arm brushed against his. It sent a shock of excitement through him. If this feeling were from the simple touch of her arm, what would other parts of her body do to him?

  “Oh, right. She’s sleeping. Drew gave her an ibuprofen.”

  “Good. That will help.”

  “Have you talked to Miles?” Luke asked.

  “No. I tried calling, but he didn’t pick up. He’s probably sleeping, too. I asked the hotel staff to check on him in an hour just to be safe. They’re going to bring him up some dinner.”

  “Good idea. You’re a great boss.”

  “Yeah.” A quick sarcastic laugh escaped her lips in time for him to catch it. “If I was so great, he would have known better than to get tanked with a client. He’s never done that before. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

  “Well, in his defense, Lauren can be very persuasive. Trust me. I’ve known her for almost ten years and have seen how she twists men around her little finger. Miles didn’t stand a chance.”

  “Maybe so.” Luke could tell she was still irritated. He’d have to help her let it go. It would surely make their time together more pleasant.

  They stepped off the elevator and headed outside. The valet assisted with a taxi, and in no time, their yellow cab pulled up to the executive landing area at the airport restricted for private planes.