coordinator, despite being jealous with each “I do” she helped create. And now that she’d branched out and opened her own company, she needed something amazing to make her stand out in a saturated industry. She needed a celebrity wedding.
And that’s where the favor she was after came in. That’s why she’d set aside her pride, and her carefully repaired heart, and driven the three hours to Beaumont Bay to put herself in front of Luke.
“I know Will is getting married.” Cassandra turned from the images to face Luke once again. He still hadn’t moved, but those eyes remained on her. “That’s what I’m here about.”
“Sorry, darlin’, but he’s already got a bride.”
Cassandra sighed. “Obviously. I’m aware his bride is Hannah Banks. I want to be their wedding coordinator and you’re going to get that job for me.”
Silence settled between them and her heart pounded so loud, she could hear the rhythmic thump in her ears.
“You came all the way here to make that demand?” Luke circled the desk to stand right in front of her. “You could have called.”
Oh, mercy. He smelled too damn good and seemed broader, stronger, sexier than ever. Maybe a phone call would have been better.
No matter. She was immune to his charms now. She’d known when she’d decided to ask for this favor that Luke would be handsome and successful. He’d been both of those things when she’d left. The hurt he’d left her with had trumped any physical attraction.
“Would you have taken my call?” she asked.
Luke shrugged. “Sure, why not? We’ve both moved on.”
His eyes dropped to her lips and that flair of arousal shot up again. She’d only been in the office for all of two minutes and already she wanted him. Maybe it was the memories creeping up. She had to keep reminding herself to stay in the present and focus on the real reason for her visit back to the Bay. Luke owed her for the years she’d spent with him, when she’d waited on him to commit, and all the hurt he’d caused in the end. Cassandra was ready to cash in his debt.
And yet, who could blame her for getting sidetracked by Luke Sutherland? Even if they hadn’t had an intimate past, the man would have demanded attention, with his dark gaze, his strong jawline, and those broad shoulders. When he crossed his arms and widened his stance, Cassandra swallowed the lump of arousal in her throat.
The man knew exactly what he was doing to her. How dare he stand there and look so, so...
Ugh. Frustration was taking hold of her.
A shrink would have a field day in her head, considering her past heartbreak when it came to a man who’d refused to marry her, along with her current line of work helping happy couples walk down the aisle. Maybe she was just a hopeless romantic who still believed in the miracle of happy endings.
Just because things hadn’t worked out for her didn’t mean she didn’t believe in love. She saw the reality of it every day as a wedding coordinator. Maybe one day she would find the man she was meant to be with.
Once upon a time, she’d thought for sure that man was Luke. Now she was glad she hadn’t hung around any longer waiting for him. She’d seen that Country Beat article. Apparently, he still wasn’t in the market for a wife.
“What makes you think I have any pull with Hannah?” he asked, jerking her attention to his low, gravelly tone. “She’s a superstar. She’s got her own entourage of people. I’m sure she has found her own wedding coordinator since they want to do something quick and small.”
Cassandra smiled. “Do you think I would have come all this way if I hadn’t done my research? She has no coordinator as of yesterday, which is why you need to get on the phone now and make an appointment with her for me.”
The muscles in Luke’s jaw clenched as he continued to stare at her. Cassandra really didn’t want to pull the past into this moment, but she would do it if she needed to. She wasn’t leaving this office without an appointment.
“What makes you think you’ll get the job?” he asked.
“You get me the in-person meeting and I’ll get the job.”
Luke rested his hip on the edge of his desk and seemed to study her...and he also seemed to be considering her idea.
“Why is this job so important for you?” he asked.
“I started my own