Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance) (3 page)

“I haven’t met them yet.” Miles turned on to the highway headed for Waikiki beach.

“Weren’t they coming in this weekend?”

Miles shrugged. “Thought so but I stopped by the front desk before coming to get you and they hadn’t checked in. Their plans must have changed.”

“Strange that Lauren’s assistant didn’t tell us?”

“She sent me a text confirming that they would meet us for lunch.”

“Okay, that’s fine. A little odd, but everything about this wedding is a little weird.”

“You got that right. Have you ever planned a wedding in three weeks?”

“No, this is the first.” She flipped through her notebook. “So here’s what I’m thinking. Today we focus on getting to know the happy couple. Let’s keep conversation light so we can concentrate on their actions. If they want to dive into gritty logistical details, we will. And if they don’t, we won’t. I’ll take the verbals and you take the nonverbals.”

“Ohhh! I love it when I get the nonverbals.”

“Heel boy. I want everything noted. How they’re dressed, the way her hair is parted, what cologne he’s wearing. Oh, and be sure to study her makeup. Is she a matte or glossy type of girl?”

She continued. “Pay attention to how they interact with one another. Are they a physical, public display kind of couple or are they a bit reserved? Observing even the smallest detail will save us a few less headaches.”

Miles looked over at Kate. “You, Kate Ashby, are a master wedding planner.”

Kate smiled. “I know.”

Veering off the exit, Miles drove the short distance to the hotel while Kate took in the scenery from her passenger seat. It was simply beautiful. Dozens of hotels lined Waikiki Beach. Kate ran her fingers through her long hair. How lucky they were to be planning a romantic wedding with this paradise as the backdrop. She hoped her hotel room had an ocean view.

Miles turned into a white high-rise hotel situated on the beach. He pulled the car up to the valet and Kate jumped out, slinging her purse and briefcase over her shoulders.

“Miles, let’s send an amenity up to Drew and Lauren’s room from us. Something sweet and celebratory like chocolate covered strawberries and a nice bottle of champagne.”

“You got it. Oh, and speaking of champagne, bring down your dress, and I’ll see if the hotel can treat both of those stains.”

“Both stains?”

“I’m sure there are champagne stains mixed in with that tomato juice.”

“Why do you think I had champagne?”

He smirked and pointed to her purse. “Um … the evidence is sticking out of your bag.”

Kate looked down and her mouth dropped. A clear plastic flute peeked out from inside. Did this mean last night’s incredibly hot kiss really happened?

• • •

“I said I was sorry, bro.” Drew snapped at Luke as they walked back to the gate.

“You walked off the plane without your carryon?” Luke didn’t even bother masking the agitation in his voice. Leave it to his brother to ruin his one chance with a beautiful woman. Strike that. The
most
beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

“Look. I didn’t mean it. I was confused because I changed seats with you. I forgot I had carried it on.”

“Whatever.” He shot his brother a sarcastic look. “Does Lauren know she’s marrying an absent-minded idiot?”

“Hey, hey. No need for name-calling. Why are you so cranky?”

“I’m not cranky.” Luke’s patience was running thin.

“Did you wake up on the wrong side of aisle this morning?” Drew grinned. “I know. Crazy cat lady didn’t let you sleep, did she?”

“She wasn’t crazy, and yes … okay, no, she didn’t. Go get your stupid bag,” he ordered.

“Fine, you don’t have to be so bossy.” A few seconds later, Drew was escorted back down the ramp.

Luke walked over to the window and stared out at the airbus.

He sighed. The place where he had met the woman of his dreams, and ten hours and fifty-three minutes later let her get away. What the hell happened on that flight? One minute he was Luke Cannon first in line to a multibillion-dollar business about to announce a huge merger, the next he was a smitten schoolboy consumed by a pretty face.

After he had kissed Kate — and wow, what a kiss that was — he had sat quietly for hours staring down as her body curved in his arms. The company merger was the last thing on his mind. All he wanted to do was watch her sleep.

This was
all
Drew’s fault. If only Luke hadn’t left his seat. He might at least have Kate’s phone number. He turned around and leaned on the glass, remembering this morning’s events.

Luke gently unlatched Kate’s arms from around him. She barely stirred as he slowly moved her from his grip to her seat. How should he wake her? Another long, slow kiss? Maybe first, he could grab a breath mint from the flight attendant.

He felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Dude, come sit back here with me.”

“Shhh.” He pointed to Kate. “Go away.”

“Man, I need to talk to you. It’s important. Come on.”

“What could be so important that it can’t wait until we land?”

“It’s about the wedding. I’m not sure I can go through with it.”

“What do you mean you’re not sure?” Luke reluctantly unbuckled his seatbelt. “Fine. I’ll be there in a minute.” Of course his brother would pick this moment to have an anxiety attack about his upcoming nuptials.

He stole one last glance at Kate. Her long wavy brown hair flowed over her tomato stained dress. He reached for her small hand, giving it a short squeeze. “I’ll be back before final descent.”

That had been the last time he saw her. Drew had asked the old guy next to him to move to an empty seat across the aisle so Luke could sit. Drew then proceed to talk his ear off about how he wasn’t sure he was ready to sleep with only one woman for the rest of his life. The irony: Drew had been with his fiancée for the last nine years. He was having trouble with commitment now? Before Luke knew it, they were asked to buckle up and prepare for landing.

Once the cabin door opened, he had bolted out of his seat. Unfortunately, so did the other one hundred and ninety-nine restless passengers. There was no way, he’d get up to the front of the plane in time to say goodbye to Kate.

“You ready?” Drew approached with his carryon by his side.

“Fine.”

“What’s wrong now?”

“Nothing,” Luke said flatly. He glanced back at the plane one last time. “Let’s get out of here.”

Kate slid her flat room key in and entered her hotel suite.
Home sweet home
.

And what a beautiful living room it was decorated with all white contemporary furniture with two beautiful sunset photos hanging from opposite walls. Fresh cut orange and yellow flowers floated in a pretty glass vase on the coffee table. She rolled her suitcases to the side and set her purse down on the couch. She could certainly get used to this for a few weeks.

All that was missing were her two cats. Her next-door neighbor was watching them while she was gone. They’d arranged for her to Skype to see them once a week.

She crossed the room and flung open the pristine white French doors to the bedroom. Wow. Miles was certainly right. Her king-size Aolani bed looked incredibly inviting with a white duvet covered in fluffy white pillows. She turned around and fell backwards into the pillow clouds.

Turning her head, she buried her face in the pink and white lei still around her neck. The fragrant flowers tickled her nose. She inhaled deeply as her thoughts drifted back to last night.

She closed her eyes and imagined Drew with her. Fantasy Drew was just as sexy as the real one. He was also unbuttoning his crisp white shirt and walking toward her, a devilish grin plastered across his perfectly chiseled face.

Kate imagined herself scooting over to the edge of the bed. Sitting on her knees, she helped him peel off his shirt, splaying her hands all over his bare muscular chest. He responded by gently nuzzling her neck with soft kisses. She dropped her hands down and began to unfasten his belt buckle, letting her fingers explore —

Her phone buzzed, jolting Kate out of her yummy daydream. She groaned and rolled off the bed, knowing that familiar ringtone all too well. “Hi, Mom.”

“Kate! You’ve landed. I was so worried.”

“Worried about what?” She walked over to the plush white couch and plopped down.

“Why didn’t you call me when you landed? You always call.”

“Sorry. It was a long flight. I’m fine. I just checked into my hotel.”

“I hope the flight was uneventful. I know how much you hate to fly.”

“Uneventful,” Kate repeated and glanced at her bag. She could see the plastic champagne flute peeking out. “It was bumpy, but I slept.” She pulled out the flute and set it on the coffee table, changing the subject. “Have you called to tell me you’ve reconsidered?”

Her mother responded with a loud exaggerated laugh. “Oh, dear. Not a chance.”

Kate pulled the phone away and scowled. “Mom, I love you, and it is your life, but don’t you think you are rushing into things? You won’t even tell me who this guy is.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”

“I am worried. I mean, here I flew all the way from California to see you, and you wouldn’t even introduce me to him. Is he in the mafia?” She kicked off her heels and stretched her legs across the coffee table. “He is, isn’t he?”

“Oh heavens, of course not. Why would you think such a thing?”

“Um … because you’re involved with a random guy you met on the
Internet
.”

“It’s a respectable dating site for those looking for love in their golden years.” Her mother’s voice rose.

“I’m sure it is.” Kate shrugged off the thought of her mother’s dating profile. “I don’t mean to upset you. Why don’t you come to Hawaii and stay with me for one week instead of three? You could come this weekend. We could tour the island together,” Kate suggested.

“I can’t. Jack and I are — ”

“Aha! His name is Jack! Now tell me his last name, and we’ll be all set.” She’d have Miles arrange for a background check immediately.

“All in good time. All right, honey. I’ve got to run. Jack has planned a splendid picnic in Central Park.”

“How romantic.” Kate’s sarcasm appeared to go undetected by her mother.

“I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t forget to take your vitamins and eat three meals a day. You’re too skinny.”

“If you would just come
here,
we could eat those meals together.”

“Love you.” Her mother chirped.

“Fine. Ignore me. Love you back.” Kate clicked off the phone and frowned. Well, that’s terrific. Her mother’s living it up all over New York City with some guy named Jack who’s planning romantic picnics while she fantasized about a guy that she couldn’t prove was actually real.

She sighed. Maybe her mom had a right to be happy. Clearly she was enjoying the company of this Jack fella. Still, it had always been the two of them. She missed her mother. Her parents had separated when she was eight after years of fighting. She remembered the day her father left as if it was yesterday. The night before he had kissed her goodnight and promised he’d read her a bedtime story another time. The next morning she found her mother crying in the living room, clutching a crumbled letter.

Her father had left that night on a plane to Rhode Island to start a new life with his then secretary. Shortly after, her mom filed for divorce. She never quite forgave her father for abandoning them like he did. Even now, their relationship wasn’t strong.

While her dad remarried, her mother hadn’t found that special one to share her life … until now. Kate did want her mom to find love. She just wished she knew who this Jack was.

She stood, crossed the living room and slid open the door to the balcony. Stepping outside, she went over to the railing and peered down. Her gaze fell seventeen floors, landing on the most beautiful sugar sand beach and clearest blue water she’d ever seen. She took a deep breath. The salty sea air floated deep down inside her, filling her lungs. This was absolute paradise.

She had to be the luckiest wedding planner on the planet. Waikiki Beach was a dream location for anyone in her line of work. How did she get so lucky to have a career that required her to live on this beautiful island for the next three weeks? She hoped she could take full advantage and explore it.

She sighed. Who was she kidding? There would be no downtime to play tourist. Not with less than a month to plan an upscale beach wedding for one hundred people. Normally her clients agreed to a year — at the very minimum — for Kate to plan their perfect day. Not this time.

It was only this week that her agency, Tie Your Knot Wedding Consulting, had gotten the frantic call from Lauren Kincaid, daughter of California billionaire, Warren Kincaid. She and her fiancé wanted to wed in Hawaii at the end of August and would drop an exuberant amount of cash to make it happen.

Kate was used to dealing with high profile clients. Tie Your Knot had a clientele list that any Hollywood agent would kill for. Kate was their senior planner. Her weddings had been featured in magazines and publications all over the world.

She suspected Lauren might be pregnant. It would explain the urgency for quick nuptials.

Within days, her boss had cleared Kate’s calendar, reassigning her clients to the agency’s other three associates so she could devote all of her attention to planning Lauren’s wedding.

Miles was deployed to Honolulu immediately. Kate, on the other hand, had a pre-planned trip to visit her mother in New York City.

Her attempts to talk her mom into coming to Hawaii with her were futile. Fourteen hours after landing in the Big Apple, she boarded the plane for Hawaii.

Now that she was in Honolulu, she was ready to work. With dozens of A-list guests and paparazzi, it was going to be a spectacular event. She had never planned a wedding in Hawaii.

Less than a month to plan wasn’t a lot of time. How on earth would they pull it off? She let her hands dangle off of the balcony. They would. She was the best in the business. At least that’s what Wedding Planners International called her, naming her one of “thirty over thirty” to watch this year.