Luke’s eyes drifted to the ring on her hand and that did nothing to calm his nerves or ease his mind.
He’d known that ring would look stunning on her hand. He’d known she would love it because Cassandra had always been more of a romantic than someone who went for bling and flash. The pearl was absolutely the perfect choice for her.
Yet she’d already told him she’d be giving it back. He wanted her to keep it. He’d wanted her to have it since the moment he bought it eight years ago. Maybe it had been naive and pathetic of him to hold on to it.
Oh, he hadn’t kept the ring because he thought she’d come back. No. He’d kept that piece locked in his safe so that every time he opened it, he would have that reminder of all he’d lost and all he’d sacrificed to have what he did today.
Luke pulled in a shaky breath and turned from the room. It was early and he knew she had a full schedule ahead. The wedding was only a few days away and Cassandra would be up to her ears in flowers, seating charts, catering questions, and rehearsals.
He went to the kitchen and started up the coffee maker. After searching through the cabinets, he found two mugs. He pulled his cell from his jeans, then sent a text and ordered breakfast to be sent up ASAP.
While waiting for the coffee, he glanced around the penthouse and spotted the piano. A glass of unfinished wine sat on top and he figured he’d interrupted her last night. He wanted to hear her play again. She had a knack for music, just like Cash and Will. Luke and Gavin hadn’t gotten that talent, but they did love music, so they’d entered the industry in a different manner.
Luke went to retrieve the glass and got it washed and put away just as the coffee finished brewing. He poured a mug for himself and took a sip. That first taste of hot caffeine in the morning always did wonders for his soul.
Spending the night in Cassandra’s bed also did his soul wonders. He wanted to stay here again tonight and every other night until she left.
No, he wanted her in his bed. On his turf. He wanted to see how well she fit in...
Wait. That would be a mistake.
Taking her home, seeing her in his house, would not be smart because when she ultimately left, as he knew she would, he would have those reminders in each and every room.
Maybe he could convince her to let him stay here until she left. He wouldn’t mind being closer to The Cheshire. He had to pop in to his other establishments today and do some inventory and payroll, but he mainly could be found at his favorite rooftop bar.
He had no idea what the hell he truly wanted when it came to Cass. Every scenario scared him to death, but he knew he wasn’t ready to let her go.
Luke grabbed his mug and went back to the piano. He slid onto the bench, took another sip, and stared down at the keys.
“He makes coffee and plays the piano.”
Luke glanced over his shoulder to Cassandra, who was leaning against the doorway coming off the hall. She’d put that silky robe back on and he knew damn well she had nothing on beneath.
“I’ll take credit for the coffee, but I’m terrible with any instrument.”
She padded barefoot across the marble floor and slid onto the bench next to him. He wanted to scoop her up and take her right back to bed, but they weren’t at that point in this relationship.
Hell, they weren’t even in a relationship. They had great sex between them and a fake engagement. They hadn’t made things work the first time they were together because he hadn’t been ready for more. Was he ready now? Could he give her everything he wanted and not lose part of who he was?
Luke had to just keep pressing on with this physical relationship, enjoy her while she was here, and remember that once she was gone, he would go back to the life he had created, the life he loved. He wasn’t sure what else to do and he wasn’t ready to take the risk to find out. Doing so, and failing, could ruin both of their lives and he sure as hell wasn’t about to do that.
“Play for me,” he told her.
Cassandra turned to face him, her bed head of curls falling over her shoulder as she smiled. “What do you want me to play? I usually only play for myself and to relax.”
“You look pretty relaxed.” He reached up and smoothed her hair away from her face, tucking the strands behind her ear. “Play anything. I had no idea until I heard you that you were so good.”
Cassandra’s eyes darted to her lap, then back up. “This was my outlet when I left. I had to do something or I would have gone insane.”
He understood. He’d poured himself into his work even more than when she’d been here. Had he not, he would’ve gone out of his mind. Besides the fact that she had left, Luke had been berated by his entire family for letting Cass go.
She said nothing else as she adjusted her position on the bench and delicately placed her fingers on the keys. Instantly, the room filled with a soft, slow song. Cassandra closed her eyes and lost herself in the music. Luke couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The longer she played, the more Luke found himself getting lost right along with her. The juxtaposition of feelings continued to confuse him. He wanted her, and not just in bed, but how was that even possible? She hadn’t been in town long enough for them to even discuss their past or what had happened.
Oh, they’d touched on it, but never fully resolved anything. Should he try? Should he defend his actions? Maybe let her tell her side and really listen?
But what would that solve? Going over something that happened eight years ago wouldn’t change a thing and he wasn’t sure he was ready to jump back in with her. Damn it, he wanted to, but he refused to get hurt again.
Keeping part of his guard up was the only way because Cassandra had never given any indication she wanted more, or that she would even consider staying here, with him, after the wedding.
When she finished playing, she glanced back to him, but all Luke could think about was that the bed was probably still warm.
“How soon do you need to be out of here?” he asked her.
A smile spread across her face and she turned to meet his eyes. “I have a little time before I need to shower, if there’s something you had in mind.”
Luke got to his feet and lifted her into his arms.
“I haven’t had my coffee yet,” she said, resting her head against his chest.
He maneuvered down the hallway toward her room. “Oh, this is much better than morning coffee.”
Fourteen
Cassandra smoothed down her dark green pencil dress. She wanted to wear something appropriate for the autumn season, but still perfect for the wedding of the year. She definitely didn’t want to be flashy, as she was supposed to fade into the background.
Granted, nobody would be looking at her and that’s the way things should be. As a wedding planner, her only duty was to make the entire day flawless and stay behind the scenes...almost like a magical fairy had taken over and everything just appeared as it should be.
But she would be remiss if she didn’t try to sneak in a selfie or a public kiss with Luke. They were still playing the part, after all.
But she was fooling herself.
Because they’d both fallen into this “role” a little harder than they should have. Now they were coming to the end of this tête-à-tête and she’d pack up her feelings, along with her suitcases, and be done with Beaumont Bay and Luke. That was the only way to prevent heartache again.
Cassandra glanced to the aisle and the flowers on the back of each chair cover. The flowers Hannah had chosen were absolutely perfect and the weather couldn’t be more beautiful. The lighting was exactly right and their pictures were going to be stunning.
As Cassandra bustled around making sure everything was in place, she was also texting Miles at The Cheshire to make sure everything was going smoothly for the reception setup.
There were so many working parts to making a wedding go off witho
ut a hitch. Everything happened at once. But this was what Cassandra lived for. And every time she reached this moment in her job, she always thought about what her own day might be like.
Maybe that’s why she excelled at her job. She treated each wedding like her own to make sure the bride and her party didn’t worry about a single thing.
But would she ever have her own wedding? That ring on her finger continued to mock her. It was like Luke knew exactly the type of engagement ring she would want, but couldn’t see how much marriage meant to her.
She’d actually put on her pearl earrings today to match the ring. How silly was that? She would be giving it back tomorrow and packing up to head back to Lexington. The only other reason she’d have to return to Beaumont Bay would be for another celebrity wedding.
By the time Cassandra finished making her rounds and handling final touches so everything was perfect, the five-piece orchestra started playing while the guests arrived. Hannah and Will had decided to keep the guest list small at only one hundred people.
Cassandra smiled at an usher as she walked by and made her way to the lakeside community building, where the wedding party was all getting ready. It was go time and Cassandra had to make sure each person went out on cue.
The men were on the second floor and the ladies were on the first. As Cassandra approached the side entrance that the men would be using to bypass seeing any of the ladies, she was glad to see them lined up and heading in her direction.
“Ready to go,” she greeted. “You all look devastatingly handsome.”
And that was quite the understatement as Will led his brothers down the walkway. Cassandra’s eyes naturally gravitated toward Luke. Seeing him in a tux was quite different from seeing him in jeans and T-shirts. If she’d thought he was sexy before, that was nothing in comparison to his hair perfectly parted and fixed, that scruff along the jawline, and the broad shoulders filling out that dark jacket.
Was this how he would’ve looked on their wedding day had they gotten to that point? Would he ever get there?
Cassandra forced away the thoughts because this wasn’t the time for a self-pity party. Hannah and Will were counting on her. Any emotions or dreams or other feelings she had regarding Luke would have to be put on hold.
But the way his eyes raked over her would certainly make concentrating difficult. He might as well have been stripping her down because she felt just as exposed. Then his gaze traveled back up her body to her face and he smiled.
Oh, what that smile did to her. There was a promise there. He’d spent the past few nights in her penthouse and he’d only left her bed just this morning. Would he be back tonight? Even though they said they would be finished after the wedding, would he want one more night?
She hoped so.
“The music has started,” she told them, circling back to her job. “Do everything just like last night at rehearsal.”
Will looked like he was either going to pass out or run in the other direction. She’d had an amazing track record of no runaway brides or grooms and she fully intended to keep it that way.
“Look at me,” she demanded, getting right in front of his face. “Your bride looks stunning and this is the best day of your life. You ready?”
He pulled in a breath and nodded. “I didn’t think I’d be this nervous.”
Cassandra smiled. “You’re nervous because this matters. That’s a good sign. And, if it helps, Hannah is a wreck. Hallie is calming her down as we speak.”
Hannah had been nearly in tears questioning everything from her cake flavors to why she wore a fascinator instead of a veil. Hallie had been the only one to talk Hannah off the proverbial ledge.
Wedding jitters were a real thing and this couple sure as hell had them. But Cassandra had been serious when she said nerves were a good thing. Will and Hannah were too in love to let anything stand in their way and nothing would stop this dynamic duo from taking on the world together.
A ping in her heart had Cassandra nearly faltering, but she pasted on a smile, pushed through and gestured toward the venue.
“Let’s get this beautiful moment underway.”
She stepped aside as the guys walked by. As Luke passed her, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, “I can’t wait to peel that dress off you tonight.”
And then he kept on walking in a line with his brothers. Mercy, those men were a force when they were all banded together like this. All sexy in their own way, wearing perfectly fitted suits with wide shoulders and devilishly handsome looks.
None of the men got to her like Luke.
And it wasn’t just the other Sutherland men who didn’t do it for her. Nobody since she’d left Beaumont Bay had affected her or given her those thrilling vibes like the man she’d fallen in love with when she’d lived here.
The promise for tonight that he’d left her with had her shivering despite the warm autumn breeze. Cassandra made her way to the front of the community center building and walked through the atrium and toward the rooms where the ladies had been getting ready.
When she stopped in the doorway, she couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty. She’d seen Hannah before, but there was something about her radiant smile today that had Cassandra jealous of such love and happiness.
“We are ready for the grandmother and the bridesmaids.”
Eleanor Banks, Hannah’s grandmother and mega country-music star, grabbed the hand of the flower girl and headed out the door. The entire wedding party looked like something from a magazine...which worked out well since Cash’s fiancée, Presley Cole, was getting the exclusive.
Presley was the only one Will and Hannah trusted with their special day. Cassandra knew the photographers Presley had on the premises were trusted or they wouldn’t be here.
So far, so good.
“If we could have the bridesmaids line up in order,” Cassandra announced.
Once they were all lined up and out the door, Cassandra walked to Hannah and took her hands.
“Your groom is waiting and the sun is shining,” she told the bride. “You ordered up the perfect day.”
“This wouldn’t have happened without you,” Hannah stated.
“Oh, you still would have gotten married, but I agree. I was your best bet for a wedding planner.”
Hannah laughed, just like Cassandra had hoped she would. She’d said it to take off a little of the nervous edge.
“Ready?” she asked.
Hannah nodded and glanced back to the full-length mirror one last time.
“Travis will be waiting on you at the beginning of the aisle just like you rehearsed.”
Will’s father was going to give Hannah away since her father was no longer living. The entire ceremony was so sweet and perfect, Cassandra couldn’t recall a wedding she’d loved working on more.
She truly only thought her own would surpass everything she’d ever done for this one. Granted, that day would actually have to happen for it to surpass anything, but for now, she was thrilled with the direction of her business.
“Thank you,” Hannah told her. “I truly would have gone mad without you during all of this.”
“You would have been just fine,” Cassandra assured her. “Now go get married.”
Hannah lifted her dress and slipped through the doorway. Cassandra double-checked again with Miles about the reception and he confirmed that all was set and ready to go. The bridesmaids should be going down the aisle now, and soon Hannah would be, too.
All was right and Cassandra made her way toward the gazebo area. She remained in the background as the ceremony took place. She couldn’t help but watch Luke at the end of the aisle as he stood next to his brother. At one time in her life, she had pictured him waiting on her as she glided to his side in a designer dress. She envisioned him tearing up or smiling and telling her how beautiful she looked.
No
ne of that was real, though. As Cassandra glanced at the ring on her finger, she couldn’t help but wish second chances weren’t just for fairy tales.
Fifteen
“What is she doing here?” Cash asked. “This reception is family and close friends only.”
Luke turned toward the elevator and spotted Mags as she stepped off. She waved to someone and instantly lifted a champagne flute off the tray of a passing waiter.
“Hell if I know, but I’ll take care of it.”
He maneuvered through the small crowd and approached the unwanted guest. She caught his eye and had the nerve to smile like everything was perfectly normal with her crashing a wedding reception.
“What a beautiful wedding,” Mags declared as he came closer.
“You weren’t invited. How would you know?”
Mags laughed and took a sip of her champagne. “Luke, darling, Hannah is a stunning bride. I can see her from here. And that woman of yours outdid herself. Who knows, maybe if I marry again, Cassandra can plan my wedding. I hear she might be busy planning yours, though.”
Luke wasn’t taking the bait.
“You have no reason to be here, Mags.”
She jerked back, her eyebrows drawn in as if she was literally hurt.
“And I thought you had a meeting with someone today,” he reminded her.
“Oh, I rescheduled. Wishing my former star all the best in this new chapter of her life was much more important.”
There weren’t many people who grated on his nerves, but Mags Dumond was sure as hell one of them. Will and Hannah purposely hadn’t invited her and she damn well knew it. But he wasn’t going to cause a scene on his brother’s wedding day. He would, however, keep his eye on the busybody.
“Don’t ruin their day,” he warned. “You’re not the only one with power.”
Her eyes widened slightly and she held her free hand to her chest. “I would never,” she gasped. “I just want to give the happy couple my best wishes.”
Fake Engagement, Nashville Style Page 12