Free Holiday Wedding by Robyn Neeley Page A

brightly colored decorations. “How on earth did he arrange all this?” Pulling out a shimmering gold ball ornament, she spun it in her palm.
    “Beats me. Maybe he should have driven his butt up here and decorated it himself.”
    “Maybe,” she repeated. But then they wouldn’t be alone, and she wouldn’t have this second chance to win back Drew.
    Drew unzipped his coat and threw it on the couch. “Man, I’m starved. Wonder if Luke arranged for a stocked refrigerator?”
    “Let’s go see.” She reached for his hand and led their way to the other side of the cabin. That familiar act sent a warm sensation through her. She’d always said his touch was the only way she could truly tell Luke and Drew apart. Luke’s pats on the back or hugs never made her tingle.
    Once, in college, Drew convinced Luke to pretend he was him to get out of going with Lauren to see an artistic indie film she’d been dying to see. They might have gotten away with it, but halfway through the movie, Lauren threaded her fingers through Luke’s, and knew instantly it wasn’t Drew.
    She laughed at the memory of dumping her tub of popcorn over Luke’s head for his part in the charade and storming out of the theater to rip Drew a new one.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing. Just reminiscing.” She let go of his hand and entered the kitchen. “Oh my gosh, it’s stunning.” Lauren headed over to the center island and bent down. Her hands glided over its wooden legs. “Every piece of furniture in this place is so rustic.”
    Drew chuckled. “This is definitely not like any place we ever lived.”
    She looked up, surprised he’d bring up their former living spaces. “I loved our apartment in Brooklyn.”
    “Yeah, and it was just as big as this kitchen.”
    “It was cozy.” She defended the run-down, tiny one-bedroom unit they’d rented their first year out of college. Her parents and his dad had offered to help them buy a condo in Manhattan, but they’d both refused, wanting to start their new life together on their own.
    Of course, when they purchased their mansion in Pacific Palisades just before their wedding they were over the need to exercise their independence and had gotten some help from her father to make a down payment. With Drew taking over the western region for JDL Toys permanently, Lauren had decided the affluent community near the beach would be perfect to settle down.
    With its five bedrooms, three bathrooms, family room, outdoor pool, and tennis courts, it had been her dream home for their dream life.
    It broke her heart the day the house had gone back on the market.
    Opening the refrigerator, Drew groaned at the empty shelves. “Nothing. Come on, Luke. Get with the program.”
    Lauren found wine glasses in the cabinet to the right of the sink and pulled two out. “Why don’t we find a place that delivers? Maybe grab a pizza to go with this wine? We could eat it while we decorate.” Not wanting to appear to eager she added, “If you want.”
    “Sure.” Drew shrugged. “Sounds good. Let’s settle into our rooms first. I’ll help you with your suitcase.” They retrieved their bags, and he carried her suitcase to the second floor. “I guess it doesn’t matter what rooms we pick.”
    Her shoulders hunched a little at that statement as the reality of the situation sank in. They would be in separate rooms. She shrugged off the disappointment. Of course they wouldn’t be in the same room. They were no longer a couple.
Two weeks, Lauren.
You have fourteen days to turn this around.
    While Drew quickly chose the first room off the top of the stairs, she asked him to carry her suitcase up to the third floor. Wheeling it to the last room down the hallway, she stepped in and caught her breath. The same oak that decorated the kitchen also comprised her bed’s posts and frame. She giggled, imagining this was the type of bed Snow White would sleep in.
    “With her Prince Charming.” Sighing, she moved over to the