Holiday Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page A

while continuing to hold Kate’s. Lauren rarely saw Luke lose his cool. Whatever his dad and Kate’s mom had done must be a doozy.
    “Son, I don’t think I like your tone.” Jack smiled down at Vanessa and wrapped one arm around her. “Drew, your new stepmother and I decided to elope.”
    “What?” Drew shook his head and Lauren glanced over at Kate, who confirmed it with an exaggerated nod and a roll of her eyes.
    “It’s really not that big of a deal.” Jack shrugged. “We were going to do it anyway.”
    Kate let go of Luke and motioned around her. “Yeah, here on Christmas Eve. I’ve been planning your ghastly expensive wedding for over a year, remember?”
    “
We’ve
been planning,” Miles interjected, but catching the look of disgust on Kate’s face, clamped his mouth and took a seat next to Lauren.
    “Kate,” Vanessa scolded. “That’s no way to talk to your stepdad.”
    “Right.” Kate took a seat in the first row, arms crossed.
    “Dad,” Drew began. “You mean I flew thirteen hours and forfeited Christmas in Thailand for a wedding that isn’t even happening?”
    Lauren’s heart sank. Would Drew rather be with Olivia lying on an exotic beach than spending Christmas here where she was? She fought back tears as she thought of Olivia rubbing suntan oil into Drew’s naked back—including that stupid NYU bobcat tattoo he’d gotten their senior year.
    She struggled to listen to Jack attempt to calm down Luke and Kate.
    “Nessa and I have come up with a solution.” He grinned down at his new bride.
    “We think Kate and Luke should take our place and get married here.”
    “What?” Kate shot up from the pew. “That’s not possible.”
    “Why not, dear?” Vanessa asked.
    “Because, Mom, I’ve been planning this wedding for over a year for
you
—your dress, your favorite flowers, your wedding cake. I even had Miles walk to the garment district in a snowstorm last week to order just the right fabric for your veil.”
    “She did,” Miles confirmed, then added, “but I’d walk all the way to Coney Island for you, Vanessa.” He blew her a kiss that she caught, grinning ear to ear.
    Kate shot Miles a “shut the hell up” look. “Mom, do you realize how much money we are going to lose, not to mention all the guests giving up their holiday to spend Christmas Eve celebrating your marriage?”
    “That’s why we think you and Luke should take our place. We thought about going through with the ceremony, but really there’s no need to.” She smiled up at Jack. “We want to give you our wedding. All of it.”
    Kate shook her head. “But that’s ridiculous. I don’t even have a dress …”
    Lauren watched as Vanessa went to work on her daughter. She suspected the new Mrs. Cannon wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
    “Kate, darling, we can visit bridal shops starting tomorrow, and don’t worry about the guest list. Most of them are JDL employees and investors who would simply love to see you two get married.”
    Lauren bit her lip. Vanessa certainly had a point. This wedding could be a wonderful PR opportunity, and after their disastrous fall, it might be the silver lining they needed to turn the press on to a positive JDL Toys story. “I agree with Jack and Vanessa.” Lauren stood and approached the family.
    She reached for Luke and Kate’s hands, giving both a squeeze. “You should do it. You both love each other. You were only waiting to get married until after your parents tied the knot. Now they have. It’s your turn.”
    “And I’m here,” Drew added.
    She nodded and smiled over at her ex. “And Drew’s here. It’s really a wonderful plan. You two will get married and then the reception at The Four Seasons can be a joint celebration of all of your nuptials.” She winked at Luke. “JDL Toys will get a lot of wonderful publicity out of the CEO’s romantic holiday wedding.”
    “When did you move over to the PR dark side?” Luke asked.
    “Marketing, public