Holiday Wedding

by Robyn Neeley

  What was Luke doing? He’d said she’d like his two-week plan, and he was the one that continued to tell her they just needed time alone to reconnect. Was this trip it? Crazy or not, it would give her two weeks alone with Drew in an enchanting winter paradise. The thought of them sipping wine snuggled in front of a cozy fire sent her heart racing. “I’m in,” she blurted.

  “I’m not.” Drew stood and exited, mumbling under his breath.

  “He’ll come around,” Luke said. Reaching over, he patted Lauren’s hand. “You should probably head out early and start packing. It’s cold up there.”

  Lauren grabbed the folder, the keys Drew had thrown, and their dolls. “So, Luke, what are you really up to?”

  “I want to give Kate the most amazing wedding.” His sly grin was a dead giveaway. “And Santa may have told me about your Christmas wish.”

  “My fat raise?”

  “That’s not what you asked for.” He squeezed her shoulders. “And you and I both know it.”

  “But what about Olivia? She’s Drew’s assistant. Surely she’ll want to go.”

  “Already taken care of. Dad’s got her helping him sort through his files.” He laughed. “He told her he’s planning on working on his memoir, and really needs her help.”

  Lauren couldn’t help but chuckle at that deceit. “That should keep her busy.” She glanced at the Happily Ever After dolls. “Are you sure you trust Drew and me with your happily ever after? With our track record …”

  Luke reached out and touched her hand. “You’ve got two weeks. Get to work.”

  Lauren smiled at her boss, all but sure he wasn’t referring to just planning his wedding.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Drew flew through the flagship store, dodging little people left and right. Holiday music filled the air, worsening his bad mood. Who did Luke think he was? Seriously. Sending him and Lauren off to some town in the middle of nowhere to plan a wedding during what was arguably the busiest time of the year for the company?

  He stopped short of the children’s books section and stared at the gold plaque on the wall.

  In Memory of Carol Cannon. The Heart of JDL Toys.

  “Mom, can you talk some sense into your other son?” He let his fingers glide over the tiny engraved words. This area of the toy store had been a special place for both Luke and Drew. It was here their mother would read to them for endless hours, encouraging both boys to be whatever they wanted to be.

  Had he let her down? Most days lately he felt like a complete screw-up.

  “Candy cane for your thoughts?”

  Drew turned around to see a jolly old St. Nick offering him a small candy cane wrapped in plastic and ribbon. “Thanks.” He took it, twirling the ribbon between his fingers. “Drew Cannon.”

  “Kris Kringle.”

  “Right. Got that from the outfit.” Drew smirked at the recognizable red and white costume, complete with black boots. “Thanks for the candy cane, Santa.”

  “Mrs. Claus won’t let me give out any Christmas cookies this year.” He chuckled and Drew was pretty sure that act made his plump belly roll underneath the red suit. “Says I’ll eat them all.”

  “Hazard of the job, right?” Drew shoved the candy in his pants pocket. Maybe he’d give it to Luke later and tell him to suck it.

  “Something like that. Well, I should head up and take my seat.” He slid his glasses up his nose and glanced around. “I was out yesterday.” He pointed to his red cane. “Doctor’s appointment. It looks like it’s going to be a busy day.”

  That it was. The store bustled with holiday shoppers zooming in every direction. Drew had completely forgotten that the third floor transformed into Santa’s Village the day after Thanksgiving.

  Before his mom died and he’d given up on Christmas, he’d spent hours playing with the magnificent toy train set up to circle the stage where Santa sat. One year, his parents had even dressed Luke and him up as elves and let them help out, giving out toys to the kids waiting to see Santa.

  He laughed. Probably the only time in Luke’s life that he gave a toy out for free.

  “Well, good luck up there.” He leaned in. “Say, Santa, if you could push the Happily Ever After dolls, I would be most grateful.”

  The jolly man nodded. “I’ll do what I can. It’s not popular among the boys, is it?”

  Drew’s face fell. “You know, too?”

  He winked. “I see the lists, remember?” He motioned to follow him to the escalator. “I could use some help if you could spare an hour or two. Seems as the store has cut back on elves this year.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’m kind of busy.” Thinking of ways to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge or push Luke off of it.

  He had no desire to go back upstairs to the executive offices. In addition to his arguing with Luke, being around Lauren was seriously starting to mess with his head. The way she looked at him in the CC Boardroom. Was that sympathy in her gorgeous blue eyes? He could handle being a failure in Luke’s eyes—barely—but Lauren was an entirely different story. Not when the dolls ultimately were a tribute to her and the love they’d shared.

  He ran his hand through his hair and stepped toward the elevator. How was he going to handle being alone with his ex for two weeks when she was the one who’d called off their wedding?

  Luke’s assignment didn’t seem to bother her. She’d eagerly jumped at his offer. Had she really moved on so easily that two weeks alone with him would be no big deal?

  And then there was Olivia. She was going to freak out when she learned the news. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t deny that as the reality of Luke’s plan set in, the thought of being alone with Lauren opened a little hope in his heart.

  He turned, not ready to go back upstairs and face Luke, Lauren, or Olivia. Suddenly hiding out in Santa’s Village didn’t seem like a bad idea. There were plenty of parents waiting in line who needed to know about the Happily Ever After dolls. “Hey Santa,” he called. “I’ll be right up.”

  “Very good, Drew. There’s still time for you to make the ‘nice list’ yet.” His eyes twinkled.

  Drew turned the corner down the aisle that held the Happily Ever After dolls. He’d take up one girl and two boy dolls, his intention to push the boy dolls to the parents.

  “Can I help you, Mr. Cannon?”

  Drew looked over his shoulder to see a stock boy approaching. His name badge read “Nathan.” The kid appeared to be in high school or maybe college. Probably trying to make some extra cash for the holidays. “As a matter of fact, you can. Can you help me bring up a few more dolls to display in Santa’s Village?”

  “Sure thing, Mr. Cannon.” The young boy gave him an eager smile and grabbed a doll off of the shelf. Since he’d never met the boy, he assumed the kid thought he was Luke, just as Annie had earlier.

  A bright light bulb illuminated inside his head that set off a mischievous grin.

  “Nathan, change of plans. Please bring all the Happily Ever After dolls on the shelves up to Santa’s Village. We’re finding them a home today.”

  “Yes, sir!” The stock boy scurried away, no doubt to go find help.

  Drew rubbed his hands. Luke would have a conniption once he found out Drew had given the dolls out for free, but hopefully by then he would be halfway to Vermont.

  He skipped up the escalator, a new bounce to his step. It wasn’t like Luke hadn’t played him on occasion. Hell, he’d spent the first half of his time in Maui last year pretending he was Drew to Kate.

  It was time to get these dolls into the hands of little owners.

  Twenty minutes later, an out of breath Nathan returned with two other stock boys around his age. They wheeled in the dolls.

  “These are all the ones on the floor?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Excellent.” Drew smiled down at the bin. “If you could help me pass these out, that would be great.”

  The boys nodded, and Drew turned to the crowded line of moms, dads, and
kids. “Welcome to JDL Toys. This morning, as a special gift for all of you, we will be giving each child a complimentary Happily Ever After doll.” He pulled out a doll and held the package over his head to a roaring round of applause.

  Then he got to work. Over the next two hours, he passed out all of the dolls from the floor and had instructed the stock boys to pull more from storage.

  The children were excited for their free toy, and the parents seemed to think the idea to go online and play interactive games to find their doll’s soul mate was a cute one.

  Checking the time on his phone, Drew grinned with satisfaction. This was going to work. He could feel it.

  He took a seat on a green velvet chair and watched as the crowd dispersed for Santa’s lunch break.

  “That was quite a thing you did this morning, Luke.”

  “Oh, I’m not L—”

  “Sure you are.” Santa winked. “The generous CEO who gave away all these wonderful dolls.”

  “Right, right.” He scratched his chin. “This probably puts me on your naughty list, doesn’t it?”

  “I won’t tell.” Santa set his hand on Drew’s shoulder. “So what do you want for Christmas?”

  “Just for those dolls to find their happily ever afters.”

  “They will. Just give it time.” He raised his white eyebrow. “Surely there’s something else you want.”

  What did he want? It had been years since he’d made a request to the man in red. Even when Lauren had begged him year after year to make his Christmas list, he’d repeatedly blown her off, telling her to just surprise him.

  Drew peered down at the doll in his hand. She had long, wavy blond hair, and a blue scarf wrapped around her neck. It reminded him of his one true love and the scarf she’d had on this morning. “Maybe find my own Happily Ever After.” He stood. “If that’s even possible.”

  “Consider it done. I’m off to grab some cocoa.” The old man grinned and headed for the escalator. His cane tapped on the floor, supporting his leg. “I hear Rocket Chocolate packs quite a punch.”

  Drew watched as Santa posed for a picture with a small child next to one of the popular Nutcrackers, then slowly made his way to the first floor. What was going on? First the little prophet with a coloring book, and now a limping Santa promising he’d find his soul mate.

  He laughed sarcastically, recalling the name of his future wife according to the little girl at the airport. “Hey, Santa.”

  “Yes?” The old man turned around.

  “Just make sure my soul mate owns sparkly shoes and likes candy canes.”

  • • •

  Lauren jammed one last fuzzy wool sweater into her overstuffed burgundy suitcase, pushing her palm down with all her strength while zipping it up with her free hand. She had over packed, but who could argue that she needed enough cute winter sweaters to last her the next two weeks?

  Although she hoped the evenings before the wedding guests arrived would find her snuggling up next to Drew, in front of a roaring, romantic fire, with very little on.

  Her body overheated at the idea of her body intertwined with his, and she tugged her sweater off of her skin, fanning her neck with her hand. Judging by Drew’s storming out of the boardroom like he did and disappearing for the rest of the day, she had her work cut out for her if this fantasy was going to become a reality.

  She sighed. That naked frolicking fantasy with Drew used to be their reality.

  “Someone’s excited to get out of town and start her assignment.”

  Lauren turned to see Miles in her bedroom doorway, dressed in a black suit, Bluetooth in ear, and two Starbucks coffee cups in hand.

  “Is that for me?”

  “Venti Eggnog Latte, your favorite.”

  She accepted the cup and took a sip; the velvety warm liquid coated her throat. “Oh, Miles. I’m going to miss you and your Starbucks runs.”

  “I could go with you,” he offered and took a seat at the edge of her made bed.

  “I won’t miss you that much.” She yanked her luggage off. No, there was only one man escorting her on this trip and that was Drew. Her roommate would have to sit this one out and arrive with the rest of the guests in two weeks. “I can’t believe I’m getting this second chance.”

  “Pretty excited about that, are we?” Miles teased. Of course, he knew the answer. She’d talked his ear off until one a.m. this morning on how she couldn’t wait to spend quality time alone with Drew.

  Maybe it was wrong to get her hopes up, but deep down, she knew that whatever Drew was doing with his assistant was just a rebound. It had to be. Drew belonged with her, not Olivia. She was going to spend the next fourteen days proving it.

  “I’ve missed him so much, and …” She sighed. “Realizing that I could lose him forever is exactly what I needed to finally admit what I want.”

  “Forever?” Miles eyebrow shot up. “So you think this thing with Olivia is real?”

  Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out, won’t I?” She straightened her beige wool sweater in the mirror. “If he truly wants to be with her, I’ll have no other choice but to respect his decision and wish him well.”

  “But that’s not what you want.”

  “No, that’s not what I want.” She grabbed her Strawberry ChapStick and swiped it across her bottom lip. “I know what I want.”

  “Which is?” He motioned with his hand. “Say it. We practiced it last night.”

  That they did, over a bottle of red wine and some amazing cheese that Miles had picked up on his walk home. Lauren took a deep breath. “I want to be Mrs. Drew Cannon.” Wow. It felt good to admit it out loud this morning not under the influence of alcohol.

  “That’s my girl.” Miles clapped. “Although, you know how I feel about that statement.”

  “Yes, I do.” Lauren rolled her eyes. There was no love lost between Miles and Drew. While Lauren could tell her blossoming friendship with Miles and their becoming roommates irritated Drew, Miles just thought Drew was an idiot. Period. Still, her BFF would support her in going after what she wanted, and what she wanted was to get Drew back.

  “I think I’m ready.” She turned to face Miles. “Wish me luck.”

  Miles grabbed her hand and nodded for her to sit down next to him. “Not so fast, my little wedding planner apprentice. You do know you’re planning a wedding from scratch to take place in fourteen days. That is the main reason you’re going to Vermont, is it not?”

  “Yes. I know. How hard can it be? We pick a beautiful place for the reception, a fabulous cake, select some gorgeous flower for the bouquets, and book a great band …”

  “Yeah, that’s all I do,” he scoffed.

  “I didn’t mean it that way.” Lauren wrapped her arms around Miles and gave him a squeeze. “Drew and I are going to need your help big time. Think of it as you’re staying in command central and we’re your in-the-field wedding assistants, hanging on your every instruction.”

  “That could work …”

  “Why, we could even assign code names, and you could make Drew do really uncomfortable stuff like decorate the honeymoon suite for his brother or book a bikini wax for Kate.”

  “You’re just trying to make me feel better.” He sighed. “I know you’ll do a good job, even with Drew in tow.”

  “He’ll be fine. The way I see it, you and I are really planning the wedding. Luke’s just doing this to give me quality time alone with Drew.”

  “Okay, let’s plan on daily Skype sessions to go over what you are doing for the day.”

  “Aye aye, captain.” She gave Miles a quick salute.

  “I talked to Luke this morning. Vanessa and I are going to call everyone on the guest lists this morning, sharing the change of plans. Luke’s booked enough log cabins to accommodate everyone who can now make it to Vermont.”

  “How are you going to keep Kate from suspecting something’s up?” Lauren asked while shoving her phone and iPad in her purse. She really did need t
o get on the road soon.

  “Honestly, I don’t know. I thought it was going to be hard, but today she’s canceled all of our meetings. Maybe it won’t be as difficult as I thought. She seems preoccupied.”

  Lauren raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

  “I think so.” Miles shrugged. “Probably just getting used to having a stepfather. She told me she’s taking tomorrow off to do some Christmas shopping, too.”

  “Hmm … That’s so unlike her.” Really not like Kate at all. She worked around the clock and had to have at least a dozen VIP clients getting married in the spring. Normally Miles was way out the door by now and rarely came home before eight.

  “I know. Very mysterious,” he agreed.

  “Okay, well, I’ll text you when we get there.”

  Miles grabbed her suitcase handle, struggling to lift it. “Holy jingle bells. What do you have in there?”

  She smiled. “I’m going to be gone for a while.”

  “Who knew two weeks’ worth of negligées and condoms would be so heavy?”

  “No.” She rolled her eyes, then giggled. “Okay, maybe one week’s worth. I didn’t want to get too cocky.”

  “One cock is all you need,” Miles responded, not missing his usual saucy beat. He helped her take the suitcase downstairs and loaded it into her BMW along with her other bags.

  Lauren thought back to her conversation with Drew yesterday afternoon. Hours after storming out of the boardroom, Drew had stopped by her office to say he’d reconsidered and would accompany her to Snow Frost Mountain. They then decided to take her car instead of flying.

  She didn’t know where he’d gone or whom he’d talked to, but he’d been in a much better mood and expressed confidence that they would come up with the perfect plan to save the dolls. He also said he needed to leave for the rest of the day and something about wanting to avoid Luke.

  “Call you soon.” She air-kissed Miles, jumped into her car, and turned right toward Luke’s penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side. Maneuvering through traffic, it only took her ten minutes to reach his tree-lined street. On the cobblestone sidewalk stood Drew with a bundled-up Olivia, arms draped around him. Lauren pushed on the horn and popped open her trunk. Rolling down the window she flashed a smile. “Good morning.”