1Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)(98)

His thick swallow nearly makes me drop my cover. “You could drop yours off at your house, and I’ll drive us to the diner.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I pull out my phone and shoot Lily a text.

ME

Plan is a go.





My phone vibrates from an incoming call from my agent before we make it out the front door.

“Give me a second,” I tell Julian before answering. “Hey, Jamie.”

“Dahlia! How are you?”

“Good. And you?”

“Doing well. I know it’s late, but I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to call you.”

My heart rate increases with each beat. “What’s up?”

“We got a new offer.”

“Really?”

Julian’s face strains as he tries to listen, so I put Jamie on speakerphone to save him the trouble. “An offer from who?”

“Archer Media.”

“No way.” The Creswells always complained about their growing web of networks and record-breaking viewer numbers.

Julian pulls out his phone and taps away while I process Jamie’s news. Until I have a contract in my hand, I probably won’t believe Archer Media wants to work with me, especially after being burned once before.

She laughs. “They’re in the market for a show like yours for their fixer-upper network.”

“Wow.”

“And the best part? They’re willing to pay you double what you made with your last contract.”

My lips part.

“I can get started on discussing logistics with filming in San Francisco. They seem eager to get started as soon as possible.”

Julian gives me his back, either out of privacy or to shield his disappointment. My excitement dies with every rise and fall of his shoulders.

“If you’re interested, we can schedule a meeting with them to discuss everything.”

I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “Yes. Of course I’m interested.”

Then why do you sound less than enthusiastic about the offer?

Probably because while renovating the Founder’s house, I fell in love with the man who bought it.

Are you considering giving up a television opportunity like this for Julian?

Yes? No? Probably, although I hate admitting it. As much as I love connecting with families and helping make their dream homes come true one television episode at a time, I also love working with Julian and his team. Just like I love being back at Lake Wisteria with my family.

San Francisco has been my home since I started at Stanford, but Lake Wisteria has my heart…and Julian along with it.

But after spending years of my life catering to someone else’s needs, I’m afraid of repeating the same mistake.

Jamie rattles on. “Things are going to move pretty fast because Archer wants to start interviewing potential homeowners after Christmas.”

“Huh?” I shake my head. “That’s in a month.”

“I know. It’s a lot to take in, but they’re so excited about collaborating with you.”

“Great.” I try my hardest to muster up a cheery voice.

“They want to meet with us as soon as possible.”

“I’m pretty flexible, so I can meet as early as next week.”

“Perfect. My assistant can reach out once I nail down a date.”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Jamie.”

She hangs up, and I turn toward Julian. He is quick to school his features, but it doesn’t stop me from sensing the weird energy brewing between us.

“Julian.”

“Congratulations,” he says with a tight smile. “I knew it would be only a matter of time before you’d get another offer.”

Oh God. He’s already starting to pull away. “But—”

He silences me with a kiss. This one is fueled by a new kind of desperation that has my toes curling and my chest tightening all at the same time.

I’m hit with a wave of different emotions. Happiness. Sadness. Fear and uncertainty.

I might not have it all figured out, but I do know one thing: Lily was right. My biggest issue isn’t that I don’t trust Julian, but that I don’t trust myself.





CHAPTER FORTY-TWO


Julian


I do my best to hide my true feelings about Dahlia’s news as we head toward town in my truck. She deserves my support, no matter how much I dislike the idea of her leaving again.

I ask all the right questions and politely listen to all her answers, but her lack of enthusiasm worries me, and I wonder if I’m failing at my attempt to play it cool.

Don’t ruin her moment with your bullshit.

Easier said than done, especially once she asks me an impossible question after I park in the half-empty lot behind the diner.

“What about us?” She assesses me from the corner of her eye.

I bite down on the inside of my cheek.

Say something.

As much as I want to, I know I shouldn’t. She worked hard for her recognition, and the last thing she needs is me tainting tonight with my insecurities.

So, instead, I undo her seat belt and pull her across the bench.

She places her hand against my chest to stop me. “What—”