Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance) by Robyn Neeley Page A

anytime soon. He would spend this weekend with Kate. Alone. No Drew. No Lauren. No Miles. This afternoon couldn’t have played out any better. Sure, he was slightly concerned for his soon-to-be sister-in-law and Kate’s assistant, but they’d be fine. He’d check in with Drew after they landed in Maui.
    He picked up his suitcase and exited the room, shutting the door quietly. Using quick strides, he reached the elevator and pushed the button. “Come on. Come on.”
    Just as the steel doors opened, Kate turned the corner. “Hi,” she said. From the look on her face, she was clearly surprised to see him. “What are you doing up here?”
    “Um … I was … ” he stammered, “I was checking on Lauren.”
    “Oh.”
    He held the elevator door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. Her sweet flowery perfume tickled his nostrils. She had changed into a short royal blue dress with a shiny black belt and matching black heels. Her dark, wavy hair was no longer in a ponytail but falling loosely past her shoulders. “You changed.”
    “I had to.” She laughed. “My outfit took a beating today. Not sure which was worse. Helping your brother change a tire or nearly having to resuscitate my assistant.”
    “All in a day’s work, I’m sure.”
    “Something like that.”
    “Well, you look nice,” Luke said.
    “Thank you.”
    They both stared upward at the descending floor numbers, succumbing to awkward elevator silence.
    “How is she?” Kate was the first to speak as the elevator stopped on the fourth floor.
    “How is who?” He turned to look at her.
    “Lauren.” She stepped closer to him, making room for a family of four. Her arm brushed against his. It sent a shock of excitement through him. If this feeling were from the simple touch of her arm, what would other parts of her body do to him?
    “Oh, right. She’s sleeping. Drew gave her an ibuprofen.”
    “Good. That will help.”
    “Have you talked to Miles?” Luke asked.
    “No. I tried calling, but he didn’t pick up. He’s probably sleeping, too. I asked the hotel staff to check on him in an hour just to be safe. They’re going to bring him up some dinner.”
    “Good idea. You’re a great boss.”
    “Yeah.” A quick sarcastic laugh escaped her lips in time for him to catch it. “If I was so great, he would have known better than to get tanked with a client. He’s never done that before. I don’t know what he was thinking.”
    “Well, in his defense, Lauren can be very persuasive. Trust me. I’ve known her for almost ten years and have seen how she twists men around her little finger. Miles didn’t stand a chance.”
    “Maybe so.” Luke could tell she was still irritated. He’d have to help her let it go. It would surely make their time together more pleasant.
    They stepped off the elevator and headed outside. The valet assisted with a taxi, and in no time, their yellow cab pulled up to the executive landing area at the airport restricted for private planes.
    A young woman in a black flight attendant suit waited on the curb. Her red hair was pulled back in a tight bun.
    Luke got out and met the taxi driver at the trunk. Pulling his and Kate’s luggage out, he set them on the curb.
    “I can take that.” Kate reached for her handle.
    “You must be Ms. Ashby,” the flight attendant said with a warm smile. “I’m, Jackie, your flight attendant. I will be accompanying you on your flight to Maui.” She turned to Luke. “I didn’t realize you would be joining us, too, Mr. Cannon?”
    Since he had never met the flight attendant, Luke suspected that she thought he was his brother. He was done pretending he was Drew in the company of Kate. “Hi, I’m actually Drew’s twin brother, Luke. Yes, I’ll be joining Ms. Ashby.”
    “I’m so sorry.” She studied Luke. “Wow, you two are identical.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    “Well, it’s nice to meet you both. Follow me.” They followed the woman onto the airport tarmac to the Kincaid