Page 86 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“Well, then, that’s your answer. I chopped all that wood myself.”

“Don’t you have staff to do that for you?”

“Sure. But I like working with my hands. I like making pasta…getting my hands in the dough and kneading it. I like washing dishes. My mind wanders, and I solve all the problems in the universe. NASA should give me a call.” She laughed. “Is that weird?”

“Not at all. I’m the same way. My world is about making money and closing deals. I spend my life on airplanes, on the phone?—”

“Talking to clients who aren’t friends.”

He sat with that for a moment and couldn’t deny the truth. “Yes. So, I get it. I make my own meals, wash my clothes... I like to stay connected with the basics of life. Keeps me essentially human.” He noted she’d gone quiet. “You okay in there?”

“Yeah. Fine. You just remind me of someone I once knew. Are you about done? Because now I’m feeling guilty. I should’ve let you get help.”

“About three more whacks, and I can move this piece away. But don’t feel guilty. They’re out on the patio enjoying the sunset and grilling trout. I don’t want to bother them, either. Besides, this keeps me essentially human.”

Her laughter struck a nerve, sending a pulse of awareness through him. He stopped mid-swing, trying to place it. But once again, he reminded himself that Lorelei Calloway had the most familiar voice in the world.

Except…you don’t listen to her music.

Maybe she sounded like someone he’d once dated.

Focus.Get her out of the damn shed.

“Anyhow, I was only thinking about a rehearsal dinner and maybe a send-off brunch, but they’d like a week of activities just like they’d planned in St. Lucia. We’ve lost a few days, but maybe…I don’t know, say, five days?”

“I love that. Let’s do it.”

He was still rattled by the familiarity of her laugh, but he shook it off. “Perfect. Are we going to do bachelor and bachelorette parties?”

“Noa says they’ve spent their whole lives being single, and now, they just want to be together.”

“So, joint party?”

“Yes.”

“Makes sense. Between her touring and his hockey season, they have enough time apart.”

“Exactly.”

“Maybe tonight, after everyone goes to bed, we can sit down and plan some things. Ginty said you’ve already lined up a chef and bartender?”

“Yes, they run a restaurant not too far from here. They’ve agreed to do the wedding dinner, but I’m trying to convince them to do all our meals.”

“That would be great.” He’d finally chopped through one side of the tree. He set the blade on the ground and swiped his sweaty face with the back of his hand. “I’m done chopping. I’m going to try and push the tree away so we can get you out of there.” She was right about him being shaky. But it had more to do with the anticipation of meeting her than the exertion.

“Oh, thank God. They must think I’ve abandoned them.”

“I’ve got my phone. You want me to text Noa?”

“No, that’s okay. This will be a hilarious story for later. When I’m out.”

He squatted, using his whole body to move the log, but it didn’t budge. “Jesus, woman. You’re giving me a workout today.”

“I forgot you’re a suit. You probably sit behind a desk all day. Those poor hands. Will this be your very first callus?”

A laugh burst out of him. “You bring up a good point. I don’t want to hurt my soft hands. Maybe I should stop.”

“Hm, why does it sound like there’s nothing soft about you?”

---