Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)

by Lauren Asher

I have a passion for fixing things. Houses. Problems. People. It’s a character flaw I’ve spent years trying to eradicate, only to have it resurface at the most inconvenient times. Like now.

Screw guys in backward ball caps and gray sweatpants. Men in hard hats and work boots are my new kink, thanks to Construction Ken standing in front of me with muscular arms and killer cheekbones.

“I know what you intend to do, but life has a funny way of fucking over our best-laid plans.”

Funny how confidence can take years to build and only a few interactions to destroy.

“There’s a difference between someone challenging you to be the best version of yourself because they care”—he sneers—“and someone looking for a fight.”

“You’ve always been a lousy liar.” “And you’ve always been a terrible flirt.”

If finding Julian attractive is a crime, consider me guilty as charged.

“Asshole.” “Sweetheart.”

Dahlia is always gorgeous to me—smile or scowl, made-up or barefaced, dressed like a runway model or wearing nothing but a sweatshirt and leggings—but right now, I find her absolutely stunning with her arm wrapped around me and her cheek pressed against my chest.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I feel like the luckiest bastard in the world right now.”

He supported your dreams without you knowing it.

“How long have you been following my career?” “Since you first learned your ABCs and 123s?” I shake my head with a laugh. “I’m being serious.” “So am I. I was always invested in your success.”

He grabs a book from his nightstand and a pair of reading glasses from a drawer. I never realized how much I needed to see a shirtless Julian reading a book with glasses on, but I believe the image may have permanently altered my brain chemistry.

closing us off yet again from the outside world. Just how I like it.

“Long distance is an obstacle to overcome, not a reason to stay apart.”

Turns out losing with Julian is far better than winning against him.

I want to give you a hundred different reasons to stay.”

Her smile rivals the brightest gem, and I’ll be damned if anyone threatens her happiness again. She is more valuable to me than anything else, and it’s only a matter of time before she realizes that.

“Turns out I’d rather build a home with you than a thousand houses by myself.”

prefer nausea over heartache, so I’m going to take my reaction as a win.

“Oliver is hating every second of this.” “On a scale of one to ten?” “At least a nine.” “Surely we can do better than that. I want him screaming, crying, and throwing up all at the same time.”

“I’ll respect your wish not to live together until marriage.” “Assuming we get married to begin with.” I tap her nose. “It’s cute that you think you have a choice.”

“Boyfriend?” “Don’t let the title go to your head.” “A little too late for that. Does it come with a lifetime membership?”