Free No Reservations by Stephanie Julian

minutes.
    She sprang into action. No time to wash her hair but she could take a quick shower.
    When he knocked at her door five minutes later, she was stuffing the last of her things
     into her overnight bag.
    And even though she didn’t have time to ogle him, she couldn’t help the sharp twist
     in her gut at the dark stubble on his face, which he obviously hadn’t had time to
     shave, and the wet and rumpled hair.
    Of course, she couldn’t stop her gaze from dropping lower, taking in the tight gray
     University of Pennsylvania T-shirt that exposed strong arms and the worn jeans that
     molded to muscled thighs.
    She was so totally an idiot.
    And he was so absolutely not. “I’ve got the car waiting out front.”
    She wanted to throw herself against that broad chest and cling for all she was worth.
     Instead, she straightened her spine and nodded. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
    He waved her out of the door then took her bag. “I hope everything’s okay.”
    “Actually, I’ve got a wedding emergency.”
    Dark brows curving, he shot her a look as they waited for the elevator to arrive.
     “A wedding emergency. I thought—”
    “Oh, God! Not mine!” She waved her hands like she was guiding in a plane. “No, I made
     a dress for a girl but something happened to it and the wedding planner called me
     in a panic. I don’t even know what’s wrong yet and . . . Damn, I just realized I won’t
     have my box.
Shit.
”
    The elevator doors opened and she hurried inside, as if that would get her to Reading
     any faster.
    “What box?”
    “My sewing kit. I’ll need that to repair whatever happened to the dress.”
    “Why don’t you call Annabelle and have her bring it to you?”
    “I would, but I don’t want to disturb her.” The elevator took them directly to the
     parking garage and they headed for Tyler’s car. “I guess I’m going to have to. She’s
     gonna hate me.”
    “Do you want me to call Jed?”
    She gave him a smile as they got into the car and got on their way. God, she really
     was an idiot or he really was too good to be true. “No, that’s okay. I’ll call Annabelle.”
    As she pulled her phone out, her gaze brushed by his big hand on the gearshift. Long
     fingers that had brought her so much pleasure. She wanted those hands on her again.
    And now was definitely not the time to be thinking about that because she had an emergency.
    Annabelle didn’t pick up until the third ring. “Kate! Are you okay?” Then her voice
     dropped into an almost-whisper. “Did you really leave with Tyler last night and go
     back to Haven with him? Where are you? Did you have fun?”
    “And good morning to you, too.” Kate felt a blush flare and hoped Tyler couldn’t hear
     Annabelle’s overly exuberant voice. “Hey, I need a favor and I’m so sorry to have
     to ask—”
    “What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Do you need me to come get you?”
    Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Nothing’s wrong. Yes, I did. I’m on my way to Reading,
     and no, I don’t need you to come get me. But I do need you to bring my full kit to
     Reading for me.”
    “Whose— Oh no.” Dread filled Annabelle’s tone. “The Shanahan wedding’s today, isn’t
     it? And there’s a problem with the dress? Ooh, that can’t be good.”
    “No, probably not. I didn’t get a lot of detail from Talia because she was already
     freaked out, so that’s not a good sign. It must be bad.”
    “I’ll get your kit and meet you— Where should I meet you?”
    “At St. Catherine’s in Mount Penn. I’m so sorry to interrupt your, uh, morning.”
    Annabelle laughed and Kate heard the rumble of a male voice in the background.
    “No worries,” Annabelle assured her. “We can’t stay in bed the entire day.”
    A pause and Kate definitely heard Jared say, “And why not?”
    Annabelle laughed again. “I’ll be there with your kit. See you soon.”
    Annabelle hung up, and she set her phone back in her purse,