Free Beach Wedding by Bella Cruise

it
wider and step inside.
    Wow.
    I take a breath. The living area is all open plan, modern and sleek,
but everything pales in comparison to the jaw-dropping view out of
that wall of glass. Ocean and sky stretch endlessly toward the
horizon. I stare, taking it in, until I hear a noise behind me.
    “Sorry.” I turn, ready to introduce myself to the owner
of this incredible house. But my words fade on my lips.
    It’s Luke.

 

Chapter Eight
     
    “Ginny.” Luke looks as confused as I am. He’s
wearing worn faded jeans and a plain white T-shirt, with some rolled
up papers under his arm and a tool belt slung around his waist. He
looks way too good to be taking a girl by surprise. A face like that
should come with a warning. “What are you doing here?”
    I scramble to pull it together. “You work for Driftwood
Properties?”
    He gives a lopsided smile. “It’s my company. I studied
architecture, in the end. Now I design and develop luxury
properties.”
    “That’s… amazing.” I’m seriously
impressed. Every inch of this property looks perfect and thoughtfully
planned. “Wait, those other houses further up the shore. Are
they yours, too?”
    He nods. “I built them a couple of years ago. They got snapped
up the minute they hit the market. Now there’s a waiting list
as long as my arm.”
    “Wow,” I say again, still thrown. “This is
amazing. Really, Luke, you’ve got a great talent.”
    “Thanks.” He pauses and shoves his hands in the front
pockets of his jeans. “So what can I do for you?”
    I remember the last time we spoke, and feel a flush on my cheeks. “I,
umm, I need a house. For my clients, Pixie and Clyde. Remember them?”
    Luke chuckles. “How could I forget?”
    I smile too. “Well, they’re going stir crazy in the inn,
so we need a place for them to stay for the rest of filming. Another
three, four weeks maybe?”
    He nods. “That could work. I keep this place as a show home for
clients, but if you need something move in ready, it’s pretty
much good to go. You want a tour?” he asks.
    “Sure, I’d love to see it.”
    Luke shows me to the kitchen, with the gleaming concrete countertops
and stainless steel appliances. “I try and build around the
views,” he says. “You should be able to see the ocean
from every point in the house.”
    “Even the bathrooms?” I crack.
    “You bet.” Luke takes me downstairs and shows me into the
master suite. Just like upstairs, there’s an amazing glass wall
looking out across the ocean. I can see massive walk in closets, and
a modern four-poster bed. It’s like something from a magazine.
    “They’re going to love this place,” I say, a touch
of envy in my voice. “I forget how much space you have down
here. My place in New York is barely big enough to squeeze a sofa,
let alone all this.”
    “There are some perks to small town living.”
    I check if that’s a pointed note in his voice, but Luke’s
expression is still relaxed.
    “Come in here. This is my favorite spot.” Luke shows me
to the bathroom. It’s tiled in gorgeous pale marble, and right
under the windows is a deep soaking tub that’s more like a
small pool.
    “You’re kidding me,” I gape. “It’s like
you’re actually swimming in the ocean!” I look around
again. “I can’t believe you built all of this.”
    “Me and my crew,” he corrects modestly.
    “You know what I mean. You had the vision, and you brought it
to life.” I look at him, so impressed by the man he’s
become. The old Luke was always just happy to hang out, take things
easy, and let life pass him by. He never seemed to understand my
ambition, or that hunger to make more of my life. But here he is now,
the head of a successful company, with a real skill and vision. “You
should be proud of yourself. I bet your dad was.”
    Luke looks away. “Yeah, I think so. He helped me with the plans
for this place,” he adds, his voice quiet. “It was always
our dream to build it together. But I