Page 7 of Get Lost

Chapter Three

Swept up in the breakneck pace of wedding weekend prep, Kelsey’s morning sped by quickly, and by mid-afternoon, the grounds were starting to come alive as members of the wedding party, catering staff, and crew showed up to the lush rental estate. The vibe was buzzing with anticipation and excitement for the weekend, and Kelsey buzzed right along with everyone else. However, every so often throughout the day, the intense feeling of gratitude overcame Kelsey and she had to slow down so she could pause and soak in the joy of doing what she loved most.

The biggest event of her career thus far, this destination wedding in the California desert was the perfect event to truly prepare her for the massive wedding coming up in Barbados in just under two weeks. Five luxury estates had been rented out along the beach in Weston, Barbados, and Kelsey had to make sure every detail was in place at each villa. It was also up to her and her team to ensure every guest was happy. With just under two weeks left before that trip to the Caribbean, Kelsey’s brain was a wild mess of checklists, so once she could check this wedding weekend off her list, she could focus more fully on the next.

Her phone buzzed in her half-apron, which basically took the place of a purse, so she retrieved it quickly to check her texts. She was still waiting on the DJ, the photographer and his crew, and a few straggling members of her staff. But the messages were from Renee Darcy, her bride from the upcoming Barbados wedding.

Renee and her groom were currently discussing the final details of the Barbados menu with the chef they’d hired to cook for the entire event.

And because life wasn’t fair, the chef was none other than Alexander Arroyo—annoying, irritating Alexander Arroyo. Kelsey’s childhood nightmare. He was also frustratingly handsome.

No, Alex wasdevilishlyhandsome. Because he was, in fact, the devil.

Probably.

Maybe.

Whatever.

To add insult to injury, as if working closely with someone she’d loathed since childhood wasn’t enough, Alex was also the reason she’d gotten the job. The groom was his best friend and Alex had just casually—ahem, suspiciously—suggested that Kelsey handle the event planning. Just thinking about it had her eyes narrowing warily.

When she ran into Alex at brunch with the girls a few months back, he was his usual smug self when he broke the news to her, acting all self-righteous and expecting a thank you.

A. Thank. You.

Kelsey huffed.Unbelievable.

Although—and she would admit this to no one—ever since seeing him that fateful afternoon, the idea of being in the Caribbean with Alex made her body react in strange ways. Strange ways she didnotwant to acknowledge because she wouldnotallow herself to feel anything but disdain for the man who dubbed her Cheeto Girl in elementary school.

Cheeto. Girl.

Guess how long it took to shakethatmoniker.

Renee texted her a few photos, showcasing the various appetizers Alex had created for her and her fiancé, Drew, to sample today.

Kelsey frowned. The appetizers looked like they should be in a culinary arts magazine.

Stupid Alexander Arroyo and his stupid food.

A man with skills in the kitchen was one of her weaknesses.And, based on the images Renee sent Kelsey, Alexander could probably make even that silly Cheeto-dusted cream puff he’d suggested in his email look appetizing.

Kelsey blew out a raspberry of frustration and leaned back against the trunk of a large Palo Verde tree, looking up at the canopy above her, bright with yellow flowers.

Her email dinged, so she pulled it open in case there were any last-minute issues with the wedding event she was currently running in La Quinta, but she should have known the new email message would be from Alexander.

When you say that youloatheCheetos almost as much as youloatheme, I have to assume that means you like them. Because you’ve had a thing for me for decades. ;)

Kelsey’s eyes widened.The audacity!She began to type out a retort to the contrary, but then she paused. Alexander’s mission had always been to get a rise out of Kelsey. He’d been antagonizing her for as long as she could remember. The best thing to do in that type of situation was nothing at all. So she curled her lip at the email, then closed out of the window, leaving him to sit and wait for a response that would never come.

Ha. Take that.

The time for rehearsal dinner was creeping up quickly and she still had a million things to accomplish before the barn was ready for the wedding party, which meant her break was short-lived. She breathed in a few deep breaths, then pushed off the tree and headed to resume her laundry list of tasks.

Of coursethis was the moment that the Drop-Your-Panties-Pastry-Chef decided to find her… alone, unguarded, and completely unprepared for the way he strode toward her, a devilish smile pulling at his lips.

Her belly tightened as heat rushed south.

Alexwho?

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