1Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)(97)

He turns. “Did you miss me?”

I bite down on my tongue.

“You did.” He smirks.

“Shut up,” I snap.

“When you’re ready to admit you couldn’t stand being away from me for four days, come find me.” His eyes glitter as he moves toward the archway.

“Wait!”

He pauses. “Yes?”

“Fine. I missed you. A lot.”

“Me too. I considered ditching Nico and Rafa on the second day.”

“And that right there is why I’m the favorite godparent.” I stick out my tongue.

He spares me an icy glare. “It was for their safety more than anything. I nearly poked Nico’s eye out while making s’mores because I was busy daydreaming about the other night with you.”

My cheeks flush.

He nods toward my container. “Hope the food is as good as you remember. I’ll stop by later and check on you once I’m done with the molding in the dining room.”

“Will you join me?” After spending a whole weekend without him, I want a little more than three minutes of his time.

“I was hoping you’d ask.” He winks. My whole world stops spinning for a second before I gather my bearings again.

“The house is coming along.” He stands on the opposite side of the island.

I glance around the half-finished kitchen, taking in the grand, warm oak cabinets Ryder and his team hung last week.

“I like the color of the island.” Julian glances over at the deep blue wood paint. “And the waterfall counter adds a nice touch.”

“What about the pendant lights?” I tilt my head toward the lampshades hanging above the off-white quartz counters.

“Fits the blend of modern and Victorian you’re going for, although I like the vintage light above the sink most.”

“Me too. I found it at Another Man’s Treasure and knew we needed it.”

He steps away from the counter and checks out a few paint swatches. “I like this one.” He points at my least favorite one.

I must make a face because he asks, “No?”

“Too dark, especially if we’re trying to balance out the island.”

“Good point.”

Julian and I spend the rest of our lunch break discussing other parts of the house while stealing pieces of sushi from each other’s containers. Compared to Oliver’s go-to you got this, babe reply and general apathy toward my design process, Julian not only seems interested but also gives opinions. We have become a team.

At one point, he smacks my chopsticks away with his own before lifting the piece to my mouth himself. Goose bumps spread across my skin as he feeds me, turning a casual lunch into our own version of foreplay.

I love the little ways he shows he cares, like giving me the last piece from his favorite sushi roll or only stealing a single bite of dessert before handing it over, although I know we both suffer from the same unfortunate sweet tooth.

As a thank-you for today’s meal, I lift the spoon and feed him the last bit of dessert. His eyes darken as he steals a kiss, flooding my mouth with the taste of peaches.

I tug him closer, not wanting to let him go.

“People are working upstairs.” He pulls me to him.

I reach for his shirt. “We can be quiet.”

“You just don’t want me to go.”

Not at all. The more time I spend around Julian, the less time I want to spend apart, and that kind of reliance on someone else is what scares me most.



After Julian went out of his way to bring me sushi from Aomi earlier, I almost feel bad about the prank Lily and I have planned.

It only took me finding one of the crew members laughing at my video for me to remember today’s mission. Lily assured me the plan is still on, so I need to get Julian into position and let the rest fall into place.

The flaps of the tent slap together after I walk inside. “Oh, good. You’re still here.”

Julian looks up from the half-carved wooden post. “Yeah. Why?”

I walk around the makeshift woodshop. Based on the number of balusters stacked in neat columns beside him, I doubt Julian has taken much of a break since he arrived at noon.

“I was wondering if you had plans tonight.”

“We both know I don’t.” He wipes his damp brow, spreading sawdust across his forehead.

I walk up to him and wipe it away. “Do you want to get out of here? I’m hungry.”

He leans into my touch. “Sure.”

“I was thinking we could grab something to eat on the way back to your place.”

His brows jump. “Where are you thinking?”

“Nothing too fancy.”

“That’s a relief, seeing as the upscale restaurant options in town are probably closed for the night.”

“Maybe another time.” I wink.

“What about Early Bird?”

“That’s perfect.”

Julian holds the tent flap back for me, turning my stomach into a ball of knots.

It’s not too late to cancel everything.

I give my head a hard shake. There is no way in hell I’m skipping out on the opportunity to pull the ultimate prank, especially after what he did to me in the attic.

“Should we go in two cars or one?” I bat my lashes.