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“Fuckis in the English language.”
“I don’t think you need to use it for everything.”
“That’s something someone who’s uptight would say.”
“I’m not—” I dropped my shoulders and placed a hand on my hip. “You’re a child. Fine.” I let out a breath before saying, “Fuck.”
With a tap on my nose, he grinned. “You’re adorable. Now, let’s go. We have a boat to catch.”
“I’m not getting on a boat. I have work today. There’s a ceremony rehearsal, followed by a sunset dinner. I can’t get on a boat. Why is there a boat?”
He grabbed my hand and started walking me off the path. “I booked us a catamaran tour of the island. I asked the concierge desk, and they said the rehearsal dinner you’re working isn’t until five and that you aren’t supposed to be on the beach until two. So, I figure that gives us two hours to have some fun.”
My feet halted, although my hand was still in his. “Luke, you’re sweet, and I had a nice time last night, but I’m here to work a very expensive, very upscale, and very high-profile wedding. I can’t disappear on a catamaran for two hours with a guy who’s here for a bachelor party.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have to work.”
His mouth pursed as he nodded in understanding. “You know what we are. Grumpy and sunshine. My twin sister says she likes to read books where the romantic characters are opposites attracted to one another. You’re grumpy, and I’m sunshine.”
“I’m not grumpy. And I’m not attracted to you.” My words were ones he clearly disagreed with as he raised a brow and wore the wickedest grin I’d ever seen in my life.
I leaned back, raised my face to the sky, and groaned in defeat. “Fine. I’ll go. For one hour.”
“You’re gonna love it. And, Jillian, go grab a suit—unless you plan on skinny-dipping.”
“I can’t get my hair wet.”
“What? My girl has to try cliff jumping.”
I swallowed with nervous energy. “I don’t cliff jump, and I’m not your girl.”
“Not yet, you’re not.”
“Not yet to what?”
“All of the above.” He winked and slapped me on the ass. “Countdown starts now.”
The next two hours—yes, I gave in and stayed for the duration—were ones I’d never forget. We sunned, splashed, and laughed. He charmed me with his stories of living in Boston, growing up in the rural pastures of New York, his buddies who were always into mischief, and life as a bartender with dreams of someday owning his own restaurant and bar. He sailed that catamaran like a pro and sang into the open ocean. Nay, he crooned. The man sang country music so well I became a fan of the genre I once hated. He was charismatic, charming, and so damn beautiful in the sunshine.
I was putty for Luke after that.
Yes, I’d tried to fight it, but it was only a matter of time until I was completely gone for him.
What transpired soon after was a tragic love story.
My cell phone vibrates in my pocket, pulling me from reminiscing about a lazy afternoon in the Caribbean Sea. The number on the screen is one I don’t recognize, but the words in the text message let me know exactly who it is.
Luke.
The reason I know it’s him is something that has my legs feeling like jelly and a chill running down my chest.
When were you going to tell me we have a daughter?
seven
“LAVISH EVENTS,” MELISSA ANSWERSthe phone at our office in downtown Greenwood Village. She gives a little shimmy as she says our company name. It’s as if she still can’t believe we have our own office for the wedding and design company we started four years ago.
