1Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)(56)

“I know he does, which is exactly why you’ll have Dahlia there to soften him up.”

Where Fred’s hatred for me has never wavered, his appreciation for Dahlia only blossomed after she singlehandedly saved the flower bed I nearly destroyed.

“I don’t need Dahlia’s help,” I say with a scowl.

“We both know you do, which is why I already sent her over to Fred’s with a basket of Alana’s baked goods and a fifty-dollar Holy Smokes BBQ voucher.”

Dammit.



“Look at these roses.” Dahlia flashes Fred a beautiful smile that makes the stunning flowers around her fade into the background. The usual tightness in my chest returns at the sight of her, making breathing a chore.

Will you ever get used to her being around?

Based on the uneven thump of my heart, the answer will remain a resounding no.

A twig snaps beneath my shoes, and her eyes flick over to me.

Fred turns on his heels, making his white-haired toupee flap from the sudden movement. “You.”

“Hey, Fred,” I say with a half-assed wave.

“If you know what’s good for ya, you’ll get lost before I go searchin’ for my granddaddy’s rifle.”

Dahlia muffles her laugh with the palm of her hand.

Glad one of us is amused.

I take a stab at being mature. “I want to be here as much as you want me here.”

“Then feel free to see yourself off my property.” He turns toward Dahlia.

“Mr. Davis,” Dahlia says in that sweet-as-sin voice of hers. “The town could use your help.” She uses those damn puppy eyes again—all big eyes and batted lashes—turning poor Mr. Davis into her latest victim. I’ve seen her use the same kind of tactic repeatedly throughout our lives. When we were teens, I hated it because there wasn’t a situation Dahlia couldn’t charm her way out of.

No one stands a chance against her when she does that thing with her bottom lip.

Fred lasts three whole seconds before breaking down. “Fine. But only if Dahlia stays with the truck the whole time.”

“Of course!” She claps her hands together.

Fred disappears into the house.

Dahlia turns toward me with a wicked grin. “And that’s how it’s done.”



“So how long will the trip take?” Dahlia asks as I turn onto the main road leading into town.

The brakes squeal as the twenty-six-foot truck jerks to a stop. “What?”

She checks her phone. “The highway is congested because of construction, so we probably won’t get there until after the sun goes down.”

“You’re not coming with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m dropping you off at your house.”

“Not if you plan on borrowing Fred’s truck.”

I angle my head in her direction. “Are you threatening me?”

“More like exploiting the situation for my benefit.”

My fingers turn white from clenching the steering wheel. “What do you need to do in Detroit?”

“I wanted to pick up a few supplies since I left most of mine back in San Francisco.”

“Like what?”

“Things that can’t be found at the general market on Main. Tracing paper, drafting tape, alcohol markers, etcetera.”

“Give me a list, and I’ll grab them.”

She peeks over at me through the corner of her eye. “The idea of being in a car with me for a few hours bothers you that much?”

While I’m tempted to agree, I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of being right. So, instead, I say something incredibly stupid. “I was trying to be nice and save you the trip.”

She laughs to herself. “Sure you were.”

My hands clench around the steering wheel as I pass Town Square and head toward the one-way road out of town with the one woman I was trying to stay away from.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Dahlia


I didn’t mean to inject myself into Julian’s mission to save the Harvest Festival, but with me having one arm out of commission, I can’t exactly drive myself to the nearest city in search of interior design tools. Joining him is the best solution I’ve got.

Sure, I could order supplies online, but the estimated two-week delivery times have me quickly tossing out that idea. It’s either join Julian on this trip or wait two weeks for supplies I needed yesterday.

The two-hour drive flies by, with Julian quickly vetoing my playlist for his own. I’m pleasantly surprised by new artists I hadn’t heard of, and I find myself saving some of his songs to my own playlist.

Julian drives down a row of dark warehouses before stopping in front of the address his mom sent him.

“Is this it?” I look around the quiet street.

“According to my mom’s pin, yeah.”

I hop out of the truck despite Julian’s protests.

“Do you have any survival instincts?” He slams his door shut.

I pat my purse. “Of course. I’ve got pepper spray and enough self-defense classes to hold my own.”

“All it would take is one punch to your broken arm to have you begging for mercy.”

I blink. “You clearly thought that one out.”