Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance) (7 page)

“Hey.” Drew slapped his arm. “Look who’s out and about.”

Luke followed his brother’s nod to an area of the beach where a small group had gathered to hula dance. He spotted Kate in the center of the crowd. It wasn’t hard to do. She had on a short pink dress that showed off her toned legs. Her silky brown hair flowed over to one shoulder, secured by a matching pink flower.

Her hips swayed to the Hawaiian beat while a young man next to her, mimicked her movements.

Drew jumped off his stool. “This is easy to fix. Let’s go tell her that you’re the one who sat with her last night. Once she sees there are two of us — ”

“Wait.” Luke grabbed his brother’s arm, motioning for him to sit back down. “Not so fast.”

“Why not? Are you worried about that guy?” Drew pointed to the man who now stood behind Kate and had his hands on her hips, guiding them as they swayed. “He’s her assistant, Miles. I met him at lunch.” He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure she’s not his type.”

Her assistant
. Luke exhaled. What a relief. Although, he still wanted to punch the guy for having his hands all over Kate. He motioned for Drew to sit down. “I think I have a better idea. I need you to do me a big favor tomorrow.”

“What?”

“I need you to pretend that everything happened the way she thinks it did.”

“Come again?”

“Let her continue to believe that you were the one who kissed her.”

“Whoa. Let me get this straight. You want me to pretend that I made out with my wedding planner on the plane?”

“Well, technically you didn’t know she was planning your wedding at the time.”

“Dude, you’re insane. She could tell Lauren.”

“She won’t. Trust me. You’re an extremely important client to her. She told me this afternoon that her promotion hinges on this wedding. She’s not going to do anything to jeopardize it, trust me.” He let out a sarcastic laugh. “Well, beyond leaving you out in the hallway in your birthday suit.”

“Sorry?”

“Nothing. Never mind.”

“I don’t know, bro.”

Luke thought carefully. His plan could work and would give him a fresh start with Kate. He took a deep breath. “Tomorrow you’ll be taking Kate to the airport.”

“Why would I do that?” Drew picked up his plastic cup. “Dude, I’m not firing her. Lauren would kill me.” He took a drink. “Then she’d kill you for looking like me.”

“Calm down. No one’s getting fired. You’ll be picking up your twin brother, Luke.” He motioned with his pointer fingers, aiming at his face.

“Man, are you going to Maui tonight? Why didn’t you invite me?”

“No, idiot. I’m not going anywhere. We’re going to
pretend
that I just arrived to Waikiki.”

Drew looked puzzled. “Why would we do that?”

“Because I don’t stand a chance with Kate if she believes she had this amazing connection with you. I’ve got to show her that the chemistry she has is with me, not you.”

“Seriously?”

“She thinks she has some serious feelings for you. I need some time to show her they are really for me.”

“You always were the romantic.” Drew threw back his drink and set it on the bar. “Okay, I’m in. Anything for my big bro, but if she even hints at blabbing to Lauren, I tell her everything.”

Luke glanced behind his shoulder and watched Kate slowly moving her hips to the Hawaiian rhythm. Her hip action was quite good.

It would be dangerous for his lower half to watch anymore. He turned to Drew. “She won’t tell. I need you to leave now. Meet Kate in the hotel lobby tomorrow at noon. You’ll drive to the airport and pick me up at arrivals. First set of doors. I’ll be waiting.”

Drew smirked. “Care to share with me what she and I will talk about on the drive to the airport? It might be a tad awkward in the car to rehash our sharing a kiss that technically didn’t happen.”

Good point. Luke would need to come up with not only a good reason for Kate to go with Drew, but some safe conversation topics. “I’ll think of something tonight and text you. Now get out of here. I don’t want to risk her seeing us.”

“I hope she’s worth it, bro.” He slid off his stool and disappeared into the crowd.

Luke ordered a second drink. She most certainly was. He knew it sounded silly since he barely knew her, but she’d managed to stir up feelings in him that no other woman had.

He swiveled in his stool to face the hula dancers. The lesson had apparently finished and Kate and Miles were headed to the bar. Perfect timing. He was glad he had gotten rid of his brother when he did. Time to pretend he was Drew one last time.

“Kate! Miles! Over here,” he called.

They approached. Kate gave him a wary smile. “See you found something to wear,” she said, coolly. Luke was pretty sure he could see tiny icicles hanging off her lips.

“You both looked great out there,” he offered.

“My boss can sway her hips.” Miles winked.

Kate sat down on the stool previously occupied by Drew. “Where’s Lauren?”

“She’s upstairs nursing a migraine.”

Miles grew impatient trying to wave down a bartender. “How does one get some service?”

Luke pointed. “You might have better luck on the other side.”

“You’re probably right. Kate, what would you like?”

“I don’t know. Something tropical. Surprise me.”

“You got it.” Miles shimmied his way to the other side of the tiki bar.

Luke laughed.

“What?” Kate narrowed her eyes.

“Your assistant is quite … jovial. Looks like he’s on the prowl for a good time tonight.”

“How do you know we’re not together?” He caught the agitated expression she threw at him.

“So you two are dating?” He raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.

“Maybe.”

“I see.” He pointed to Miles who had his hand dripped all over the male bartender. “How’s that working out for you?”

She let out a groan. “Who I spend time with is none of your business.”

“You’re right, it’s not.” He smiled. “Listen, Kate. I know we got off on the wrong foot and I’m to blame.”

“You got that right.”

“I’m a jerk. I want to make things right and I want to give Lauren the best wedding imaginable. I think we both want that, yes?”

She shook her head. “I’m committed to your wedding. As I told you earlier, my future is riding on it.”

“I was thinking. I have to run to the airport tomorrow to pick up my brother.”

“There’s more of you?”

He let that sarcastic comment go. “I’d like you to come with me.”

“Why?” Kate asked, shifting on her stool. It killed Luke that he couldn’t pick her up and take her upstairs to his suite right then and there. To uncover with his hands if the lacy blue bra and thong were still there from earlier.

He took a deep breath. “It’s a good opportunity for us to start fresh and get to know one another. I also want to talk to you about some special surprises I have planned for Lauren that I’d like to have included in the wedding. I’ll need your help.”

“I don’t know.” She raked her fingers through her hair, pulling the flower out and setting it on the bar. “I guess it would probably be good for us to be on the same page on what those surprises are.”

“Good, it’s settled. Meet me in the lobby at noon. We’ll swing by the airport and then I’ll drop you off at your next appointment. My brother, Luke, is a great guy. You’ll like him. He’s better looking than me.”

“Kate! Kate!” Miles was motioning for her to join him.

She stood. “Fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow. I don’t know what your game is Drew Cannon, but I like Lauren. Don’t break her heart.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Luke called out. He paid his tab and reached for his wallet. Next to it was the pink flower from Kate’s hair. Smiling, he picked it up and tucked it into his pocket. Tomorrow, Kate Ashby would meet Luke Cannon for the first time. He hoped to God she liked him.

Kate and Miles sat on a chic blue sofa, flipping through a bridal book on her lap. It was nearly eleven
A.M.
, and Lauren was trying on her fifth dress. They had the run of the bridal shop that operated by appointment.

“Oh … my … God!” Miles pointed. “She’d look absolutely fabulous in that one. Let’s show her.”

Kate stifled a laugh. The dress on the page was unquestionably hideous with its long train of white feathers. She shut the book. “I don’t think so.”

“What? After their vows, Lauren could take flight down the aisle.” Miles jumped up and flapped his arms, imitating a bird. “Soaring along the ocean.” He landed back on the couch in a fit of giggles.

“Oh, Miles, you’re such a comedian.” Kate placed the book back on the coffee table and stood to check on Lauren. She didn’t really need to. She already knew what was going on inside the dressing room.

Lauren displayed typical wide-eyed bride behavior. This was the fifth dress that before trying on, she proclaimed would be “the one.” Kate knew better. Frustration would soon take over. The tears were about to come. She was actually a little surprised they hadn’t already. Lauren was a determined one.

She hated this part; nevertheless, it was important to let Lauren pick out the first few dresses on her own. It helped them get a quick understanding what she might like if they needed to intervene.

Perhaps this latest dress was the one. Kate smirked at her own optimism. Who was she kidding? They always needed to intervene.

So far, Lauren had selected tight, flashy dresses with long trains that were completely wrong for a beach wedding. Kate squared her shoulders and walked toward the fitting room stall, ready to provide wedding dress nine-one-one assistance.

Lauren’s mother, Aubrey Kincaid, stood outside the burgundy dressing room curtain with a mimosa in hand. The drink nearly gone. The Kincaid women certainly liked their cocktails. Aubrey was just as vibrant and bubbly as her daughter. Between the two, Kate and Miles had spent the morning in absolute stitches.

Kate liked Lauren … a lot. With her fun and witty personality, she could have been any one of Kate’s friends back home. She also had a brain. Kate and Miles learned that Lauren was a marketing executive with over ten years in the business.

Why Drew felt the urge to cheat on this smart and beautiful woman still baffled Kate.

“Aubrey, let me refill your glass.” She took the flute and reached for a nearby pitcher that the bridal shop staff had left for them.

Kate turned to the sofa. “Hey, Miles, could you see if we could get a plate of little sandwiches?” It would probably be wise to get some food in both mother and daughter. She suspected that given their size-four figures, they didn’t make it a practice to have a hearty breakfast.

Miles stood. “You got it.”

“Thank you, Miles,” Aubrey called out and blew him a kiss.

He caught it and pretended to put it in his pocket. “You’re welcome, love. Be right back.”

“You have such a wonderful assistant,” Aubrey remarked.

Kate shook her head and refreshed her glass. “I know. I’m very lucky.” She handed it back. “Let’s not tell him, though. His head is big enough. I don’t need him asking for any more money.”

Aubrey laughed and sipped her drink. “Dear, come out and show us the dress.” She tugged on the curtain.

Lauren held onto it from the other side. “I’m not coming out,” she wailed. “Ever!”

Kate and Aubrey looked at each other in alarm. “Everything okay, Lauren?” Kate asked.

“No.” Lauren moaned. “I look like a beached whale.”

“I’m sure you’re exaggerating,” Aubrey said. “Let’s see it.” She yanked the curtain back, this time with success.

Lauren faced them in a tight mermaid gown with an excessive amount of bubble tulle circling her ankles. It covered the entire fitting room floor.

Aubrey burst out laughing.

“Mom!”

“Sorry, honey.” She put her hand over her mouth. “It’s not that bad. Kate, what do you think?”

Kate reached down and scooped up the tulle, helping Lauren waddle out of the fitting room. “The top is beautiful, but this train I’m afraid won’t be practical on the beach. Sand will easily fill up the bottom, causing you to — ”

“Sink!” Lauren shrieked. “I am a beached whale. Drew is marrying a beached whale. She waddled over to the sofa and fell backwards. “This is hopeless.”

Kate rushed over and sat on the coffee table. She grabbed Lauren’s tiny hands and gave a reassuring squeeze. “No, it’s not. Wedding dress shopping is like dating. You kiss a lot of frogs before you find the one. Believe it or not, these hideous dresses have a purpose.”

Lauren looked up. “They do?” The tears were now flowing down her cheek.

Kate reached for a tissue in her purse and handed it to her. “Yes, they do. They’re getting you one step closer to finding your dress. Trust me. Your dress is here.”

“It is?” Lauren blew her nose. “How do you know?”

“I just do. I can help you find it, but first I need you to do something for your mother and me.”

“What?”

“Close your eyes.” Kate waited until Lauren’s eyes were shut. She motioned for Aubrey to join her daughter on the couch. “Now, tell us, what is the very first thing you see when you envision your wedding?”

Lauren smiled. “That’s easy. I see Drew, standing on the beach in a white shirt and khakis. No shoes.”

Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t he be wearing a tux? He’d look much better in photos.”

Lauren brought a finger to her lips. “Shhh, Mom. It’s my fantasy.”

Kate frowned, remembering her own fantasy yesterday with the groom. She mentally swatted the thought out of her mind. “What else do you see?”

“We’re in this beautiful isolated cove. All of our family and friends are with us.”

“In Maui?” Kate pressed.

“Drew really wants to get married where we first met, but if I could have my first choice, it would be Maui.” Lauren smiled widely. “I’m walking down a white aisle runner with beautiful Hawaiian flower petals strewn everywhere. Drew is directly in front of me. The ocean is behind him.”

Kate listened. What she was hearing was that Lauren really wanted an intimate seaside wedding on a private beach. The Aolani wasn’t quite that setting. Sure Lauren would have the ocean as her backdrop but everywhere else she looked, she’d see high-rise hotels.