Beach Wedding by Bella Cruise Read Free Book Online Page B

partying.
    “I tried to do it in a single day, but I must be sloppy. You
still have a few clients left standing.” His voice is teasing.
    “Don’t joke! I feel like I’ve been gone years.”
    “Relax, everything’s fine. The Bankhursts are off
touring lakefront gazebos tomorrow, and the DeShawns met with the
wedding cake people today. Everything’s on track.”
    I let out a sigh of relief. At least my life back in NYC is still
running according to plan.
    “So, how did the big meeting go?” Theo asks eagerly. “Are
we a go on the Dalton-Ross-Kincaid extravaganza of classy glitz?”
    “They approved the filming,” I tell him, resigned. “Not
just for one episode, either. Marcie’s got her heart set on a
whole season of Pixie and Clyde in Pelican Key Cove.”
    “That’s great! And it means you’ll be down there
for weeks, right?” His tone turns charming. “And in
desperate need of a reliable, extraordinarily handsome, and capable
assistant by your side to help things run smoothly.”
    “You’re right,” I tease. “Do you have anyone
you know for the job?”
    Theo sighs. “Do you want me to beg? Because I will. I have zero
pride, you know that.”
    “Not something to boast about.” I’m enjoying this.
    “You know you need me. Jody and the team here can take care of
the rest of business. Please?”
    I laugh. “OK, OK, you can come. I’ll book you a
flight—no, wait,” I think of something. “You do
want to be useful, don’t you?”
    “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret this?”
    “If we’re going to be down here a month, I’m going
to need a car. I don’t suppose you feel like driving mine down,
do you?”
    “Since when do you have a car?”
    “Since always. I keep it in storage. It’s not practical
for the city, but it would be great here.” I feel a little
guilty, but he did just beg to help me out.
    “Sure. A road trip could be fun.” Theo doesn’t
sound that torn up. “I’ll do it. Just tell me it’s
not some beat-up old Honda. I have standards, you know.”
    “Then you’ll love this,” I assure him. “It’s
a vintage old convertible.” I leave out the part where it’s
bright pink. “Anyway, I’ll be home in a couple of days,
we’ll figure the rest of the details then.”
    “Cool-io. And Ginny?”
    “Yup?”
    “Congrats. I told you, this is going to be big!”
    Theo hangs up, and I stay a moment, breathing in the salt sea air.
It’s cooler now, thank god, and the shadows of palm trees sway
softly in the breeze as the distant ocean crashes against the shore.
    I can understand why Marcie wants to shoot here; it really is a slice
of paradise on earth. The only problem is, paradise comes with a
whole heap of baggage.
    I head back inside to grab my purse, and see Wes over by the bar. I
raise my hand to wave ‘hi’, and then I see Luke standing
next to him.
    Our eyes lock. For a moment, he almost smiles; it’s like the
past ten years haven’t happened, and he’s catching my eye
across the room, ready to send a private look just for me. My heart
beats faster gazing into those blue eyes, but then the past catches
up with him. His face tenses, the warmth replaced with a cool
distance. He looks away.
    I want to flee as fast as my flip-flops will carry me, but I remind
myself that I’m an adult now. Running away from the problem
isn’t going to make this wedding project any easier. I need to
face this head on.
    Bracing myself, I go over to join them. “Hey,” I say
brightly to Wes.
    “There she is,” Wes grins. “Congrats on your pitch.
You had everyone eating out of your hand.”
    “Almost everyone.” I shoot a glance at Luke.
    “I’m going to get another round in,” Wes says.
“Ginny?”
    “Not for me, I’m just heading out.”
    “Aw, come on!” Wes urges, “You can’t just
bail so soon. C’mon, one more drink.” He turns to flag
down the bartender before I can object, leaving the two of us alone.
    “Hi,” I say quietly to Luke,