by Nomi Summers
“Jordyn Jacobs,” she said without removing the sour expression that had taken over her face.
“We’ve linked you two up for the processional, since you’re the only single members of the wedding party.”
“Actually, Luke is not single,” Jordyn said. Everyone’s eyes darted in her direction at the remark, puzzled looks on their faces.
“Huh?” Shane asked.
“No, you see, Luke here is married to his phone. I’m surprised she’s not with you right now.” She eyed him combatively as she folded her arms across her chest.
How dare this woman? She was going to call him out in front of the group after they’d only just met? Well, he’d show her.
“Actually, she’s right here.” He shot her a smirk as he pulled the phone from his pocket and held it up for her to see.
“I take it you two have met?” Shane asked, looking back and forth between them.
“We ran into each other in the lobby,” Luke told him.
“Literally,” Jordyn added, returning Luke’s smirk.
“All right everyone,” the wedding planner began. “If I can have the groomsmen line up at the back of the room on the right, and the bridesmaids on the left in this order. Leila and Dax, Rylee and Hunter, Emma and Chase, then Jordyn and Luke.”
Great. Now he’d have to walk down the aisle with the ice queen on his arm. He drew in a deep breath and found his place at the back of the room, but not before taking one final glance at his phone before burying it in his pocket. Already a missed text message. Was it from Jared announcing that the app update was ready? He’d count the minutes until this was over so he could sneak into the lobby and check.
Jordyn stood across from Luke and tried her best not to look at him. Instead, she studied the massive chandelier hanging high above in the center of the ballroom, admiring the crystal-encrusted design. She looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the far side of the room; the snowflakes fell at the speed of light. She watched the wedding planner scurry around with her clipboard as she positioned each member of the wedding party in the exact perfect location on the floor. She looked anywhere she possibly could to avoid eye contact with the handsome jerk across from her.
Because when she had looked at him, it had been hard not to notice his features. His very nice, very intentional, very handsome features. The guy was put together, even down to his perfectly deliberate five-o’clock shadow. He’d clearly spared no expense on his polished shoes and precisely pressed dress pants. Though she’d winced when she noticed how his strong chiseled jaw tightened every time she spoke, she’d also noticed the way his black V-neck sweater hugged his bulging pec muscles in his chest. And that was nothing to wince over.
It was too bad he was arrogant and entitled. He was the only other single person in the wedding party besides her; it would have been nice to at least have someone to talk to so she didn’t feel so out of place. Why were good looks always wasted on men like Luke?
“Okay, Jordyn and Luke, it’s your turn to walk,” the wedding planner began. “Remember, walk slowly. This isn’t a race to the altar.”
Jordyn sucked in a deep breath and made her way to the center of the aisle where Luke was already waiting with his arm held out to escort her. Fighting the hesitation that tried to take over her body, she met his side and looped her arm through his as they slowly began their descent down the aisle. As they did, the fresh scent of his cologne made its way to her nose, and for a brief moment, her knees threatened to give out from beneath her. This is the closest she’d been to a man in the past year, and jerk or not, he smelled good. Darn good.
“Hey, maybe we could bury the hatchet and start over.” Luke leaned closer, his voice low. Jordyn kept her eyes straight ahead. “You know, for Shane and Avery’s sake.”
It sounded good in theory, but she was still stewing about the gall of this man, and until he admitted fault, she wasn’t sure she could break down the wall she had built between them.
“Well, I still haven’t heard an apology, and I think I deserve one. You ruined my sweater, after all, and you didn’t even say you were sorry,” she whispered back.
“I am sorry about your sweater, and I’d be happy to buy you a new one.”
She swiveled her head to look at him, locking her gaze on his. Specks of amber rimmed his hazel eyes. Why was seeing him up close making a million butterflies flutter inside her stomach? “I don’t need you to buy me a sweater,” she said, but her voice faltered, and she shook her head, turning it to face forward. Couldn’t they walk any faster?
“Suit yourself, but my offer stands if you change your mind,” he told her as they reached the end of the aisle and went their separate ways, stopping on either side of the altar.
Standing there waiting for the rest of the wedding party to make their way down the aisle, she snuck in one more glance at Luke. He had his hands casually shoved into his dress pants as he looked ahead, unaware that she was even eyeing him. At least he’d apologized, but that didn’t make him any less cocky or arrogant. Just as she was about to convince herself that he may be someone she could hang out with this weekend, he pulled his phone from his pocket and began to scroll.
As he did, every ounce of attraction she’d started to develop slipped right out the ballroom door.
When the rehearsal ended, Avery announced they had a thirty-minute break before dinner. Luke couldn’t wait to make his way to the lobby and call Jared. His text had said it was important, and Luke needed to find out what was going on. This app update was taking far longer than it should.
“Jared, what’s the word?” he said into the receiver when he heard his VP pick up, even before he’d had a chance to say hello.
“The team has been working nonstop. We thought we had it.”
A surge of disappointment rushed through him. “And?”
“We tested the update, and no such luck. We just need more time to work on this.”
“We don’t have time. Need I remind everyone that the app is being monitored right now? The reason we were offered this buyout in the first place is because millions of users are already using the app. Thousands of new users download it every day. And those users are getting the faulty version. We’ll lose them and this deal both.”
“We’re doing our best.”
Luke let out a long sigh and rubbed at the back of his neck with his free hand as he struggled to find a solution. “I created the app, I should be the one working on it. Shoot me a detailed email highlighting the issues and what you’ve done so far with the update. After the rehearsal dinner, I’ll bring my laptop to the lobby and get to work.”
He ended the call and shoved his phone into his pocket and glanced at the TAG Heuer on his wrist. How long did rehearsal dinners usually last? Every second he couldn’t work on the app, he risked losing the deal, and that thought was getting the best of him. And his nerves.
“Hey, man.” Shane approached him with Avery and Jordyn by his side. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just work stuff.” He tried his best to play it cool. The last thing he wanted to do was bring his problems to Shane and Avery’s wedding.
“Anything we can do to help?” Avery asked.
“Actually, there is one thing.” He turned to address Avery. “Do you have any rooms available in the lodge this weekend? I don’t have Wi-Fi down at the cabin, and I’m going to need to work a bit tonight.”
Avery frowned. “No, I’m sorry. Every room is booked for the wedding. We are at capacity.”
“Work?” Shane asked with a laugh. He put a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Man, you’re the hardest working person I know. Can’t you set it aside for one weekend and relax? Have some fun? Remember how much fun we used to have before you made all your millions?”
Luke’s eyes darted to Jordyn. He didn’t want anyone to know he had money. He wished Shane hadn’t said that. It seemed people treated him differently once they knew, and he could swear her eyes rolled at Shane’s comment. Just one more th
ing for her to judge him on.
“I will; I promise. I just need to take care of something important tonight. It will only take a couple of hours.”
“Well, you can work up here in the lobby. We have great Wi-Fi up here, but I’m starting to worry about this storm. If the snow keeps coming down like this, I’m afraid we’ll lose power. These old lines out here can’t hold the heavy snow; it seems like one comes down in every snowstorm.” Avery’s face twisted with worry. The thought of losing power made Luke sure his face held the same expression.
“Try not to worry about that. Everything is going to work out perfectly this weekend,” Shane reassured her.
“Well, I’d better get down to my cabin now and get my laptop before dinner starts. If the snow plans to keep coming down, I probably won’t make it back up the hill in my rental car later on.”
“What kind of car did you rent, man?” Shane laughed.
“Don’t ask,” Luke told him as he shook his head. “In fact, I’m not sure this car will make it down that hill now. I’d better go try before it gets any worse out there.”
“You’d better not chance it.” Avery shook her head. “You don’t want to get stuck down there. That drive is long and steep. Shane keeps it cleared most days, but it’s impossible to keep up with in a storm. We’ll have to wait until it stops to bring out the plow and salt.”
“I don’t have a choice; I have to get my laptop. This matter is urgent.”
Excitement lit up Avery’s face. “Hey, Jordyn has an SUV with new snow tires. Maybe if you ask nicely, she would drive you down to get it.” She turned to Jordyn and bounced her eyebrows up and down.
Jordyn’s mouth dropped open, but nothing came out of it. He didn’t want to put her on the spot, but it seemed the only logical way for him to get his laptop.
“I wouldn’t want to impose. Plus, she shouldn’t be driving in this weather either,” Luke said.
“I can drive just fine in snow, I’ll have you know.” The combative look from earlier returned to Jordyn’s face, her fists perched on her hips.
“I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m really just concerned about your safety.” Man, this girl was defensive. Would she ever let down her guard with him, or was she destined to hate him over spilled hot chocolate?
“Well, if you’re gonna go, go now. Dinner is starting soon, and I don’t want you two to miss it,” Avery told them before grabbing Shane’s hand and leading him toward the lounge. Not an ideal situation, but he’d better not let her get the best of him and say something he’d regret. This is the only chance he’d have to get his laptop.
“I could take you down there, but you heard Avery. There are no rooms left in the lodge. How will you get back to your cabin later tonight in this storm?”
“I’ll bunk out in the lobby if I have to. This is important,” he told her in a serious tone before forcing a smile. “I would appreciate a ride, if you don’t mind?”
“Let me go to my room and get my coat. I’ll meet you by the front door in five.”
A wave of relief washed over him as he watched her head toward the elevators. Maybe she wasn’t so bad. She’d agreed to drive him down to his cabin in a snowstorm, and she didn’t need to do that for him, especially considering the way he’d treated her earlier today. From this point on, he’d make a conscious effort to ease up on her. Hopefully, she was ready to do the same in return.
Chapter 4
When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Jordyn could see Luke waiting by the front door in his charcoal-gray peacoat and plaid scarf. His face lit up with a genuine smile, an expression she hadn’t seen on him yet, and man, was it sexy.
How had she gotten herself into this mess? She was about to go out in a snowstorm to help this guy who’d done nothing for her so far except bring her grief. He was lucky he was handsome, because she’d had a moment of weakness when he’d asked her with that look in his eyes. It had almost resembled panic or desperation. Either way, her heart went out to him. She wished she wasn’t such a softy and really had the tough exterior she always tried to portray. Still, she couldn’t believe Avery had put her in this position. But how could she argue with the bride?
“Ready?” she asked, meeting him at the door.
“I just want to let you know how much I appreciate this.”
“Well, I know how much you love your technology,” she teased, shooting him a grin, and for the first time since she met him, she caught herself letting down her guard.
They walked out into the blistering cold night to be hit with a wall of wind and blowing snow. “This way,” she told him. They put their heads down and quickly made their way to the old, baby-blue Ford Explorer awaiting them in the parking lot.
Jordyn used her mitten to wipe the snow from the handle on the passenger door and opened it for Luke. The door creaked, and Jordyn winced, feeling her face scorch with embarrassment.
She made her way around to the other side and pulled her ice scraper from the back seat before opening the driver’s side door. She’d start the car so it would warm up, and then, she’d get to work clearing the windows. The snow was heavy and had started to stick.
She jumped in and put the key in the engine. With a turn of the key, the engine whined, but didn’t turn over. She pressed down on the gas and tried again. This time, it whined a little longer. She gave it more gas and tried one last time before it finally turned over. Relief flooded through her as she fired up the defrost and opened the door to get out.
Luke placed his hand on her arm. “Hey, let me scrape the windows for you. It’s the least I can do.”
That sounded like a fair exchange, and if nothing else, it would be entertaining to watch this California boy scrape snow off the windows in the freezing temps. He wasn’t used to this weather, and she almost felt bad for allowing him to do it. Almost.
He made his way around the vehicle, his scarf wrapped snugly around his face with only room for his eyes to see out over the top. She couldn’t help but giggle to herself as she watched him slip and slide around the vehicle.
He hopped back in and dusted the snow off his jacket as she put it in drive. She slowly inched down the long drive that wrapped around the lodge before heading down the steep hill to the shoreline below.
“Careful,” he told her, with worry in his voice, as she started to descend down the hill. The wet snow, which she was pretty sure was sleet, was coming down so quickly the wipers could barely keep the windshield clear. “You know, we should go back. I should never have put you in this position. Let’s just turn around.”
“It’s too late now. The only turnaround is at the bottom of the hill by the beach club,” she told him, her hands locked on the steering wheel. “The snow is covering the drive. It’s hard to see it under the snow. Luckily, I have a good idea where it is.” She was pretty sure she did anyway. But it had been awhile since she’d traveled down this path.
Jordyn tapped the brakes to keep the SUV from picking up too much speed. As soon as she did, the tires began to skid. She quickly let off the brakes and shifted to a lower gear, which slowed them down briefly before they picked up speed again. She pumped the brakes gingerly, and with the last pump, the tires locked up. The back end of the vehicle slid to the right. She was losing control.
“I thought you said you had snow tires?” Luke had panic in his voice.
“I do!”
The tail end swung around and suddenly they were looking at the back of the lodge instead of the cabins below. The SUV had done a complete one-eighty, and the back end slid to the left now.
Jordyn remembered the ditch at the bottom of the hill. Panic gripped her chest as she braced herself to slide off the path. She could feel it happen even before the back end slid off, causing the front of the vehicle to tilt up toward the path, which was a few feet ahead of them as they came to an abrupt stop, back end down in the ditch. She pressed the gas, but the tires just spun and spun. It was no use.
“Are you okay?” Luke ask
ed frantically.
“I’m fine. Are you?” she asked.
“I’m okay.”
She blew out an exasperated sigh. “We’re stuck.”
“I’ll call Shane. I’m sure he’ll send someone for us.”
But just as he began digging for his phone in his pocket, the lit-up lodge at the top of the hill went black.
“Oh no,” Jordyn said, looking over at him. “The resort just lost power.”
Luke’s breathing was labored as he tried not to panic. Now they were stuck in a ditch, in a snowstorm, with no way to get back up to the lodge.
“What should we do?” Jordyn looked over at him and asked. He didn’t have an answer, but he had a responsibility to keep Jordyn safe and warm. It’s not like he’d been stuck in many snowstorms, but he did know how to start a killer fire, and he had a fireplace in his cabin with enough wood for the weekend piled up beside it.
“My cabin is just right over there.” He motioned out the side window, but looking in that direction did little good. It was pitch black here, too, made even worse by the looming forest that blocked out the moonlight.
“It doesn’t look like any of these cabins have power either,” Jordyn said, looking out the side window.
“No, but I can build us a fire. I’m sure someone will come looking for us soon.” It sounded good in theory, but would they? Anyone would be crazy to come down the hill in this storm. He should have known better than to put Jordyn in harm’s way. A wave of guilt flooded his system.
She shut off the engine and put the keys in her pocket before wrapping her own scarf around her face. “Ready for this?” she mumbled through the wool covering her mouth.
He nodded, and they both got out of the SUV, climbing their way out of the ditch, to meet at the nose of the Explorer. Once on the main path, they walked swiftly in the direction of his cabin, which, thankfully, was only two down off the road.