Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)

by Lauren Asher

JULIAN

Ellie never gets flustered. I’ve watched her be thrown up on by a sick Nico, get kicked in the stomach by one of Rafa’s goats, and twist her ankle during a hike, but I’ve never seen her look like this. I spare my cousin a glance, only to find him glaring at Ellie. I’m not sure what’s wrong with him, but he needs to figure his shit out and get himself under control before he scares her away like he did all previous nannies. Whether by playing instruments together or learning to read braille, Ellie stands apart from the others with how she goes out of her way to help Nico and support him with his retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis. Nico still values his independence like every normal eight-year-old kid, but sadly, it is only a matter of time before he completely loses his sight, a reality that has been stressing Rafa out as my godson’s vision worsens.

“Nico’s excited to see her.” His fingers tighten around his mug. “It’s been what? Four months since he last saw her?” “Five,” he grunts under his breath. “I forgot she missed his birthday.” “I sure didn’t.” His voice reeks of self-loathing. “You’ve got to stop beating yourself up over her poor decisions.” “I’m the one who got her pregnant. Who else is there to blame but me?” “You were barely an adult when all that happened. It’s not like you could have predicted things would turn out this way.” “No, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like a stupid fool.” I shake my head. “You’re too hard on yourself.” “I’ve been thinking…” “Stop now while you’re ahead.” “You’re not going to like this.” The empty pit in my stomach widens as I say, “Then let’s call it a loss and move on to better subjects, like betting on tomorrow’s soccer game. I’ve got a few of my paver guys—” “Julian.” “What’s the problem?” He stares out the window facing his barn. “I’ve been thinking about moving.” I blink twice. “What did you say?” “With Hillary living so far away, I’ve been wondering if it’s in Nico’s best interest for him to live closer to his mom.”

“You’re seriously thinking about moving across the country?” “Only occasionally.” Losing Rafa and Nico would be devastating for our family. Besides my mom, they’re the only loved ones I have left, so I selfishly don’t want them to move away. You could find a way to convince Hillary to move somewhere within driving distance, like Chicago or Detroi— “Don’t mention anything to your mom right now,” he says, stopping me mid-spiral. “But what if she moves back—” “Stop.” “What?” I blink away my confusion. “This isn’t a problem you can solve.” “Who said—” He shuts me up with a single look. I hold my hands up. “Fine. But talk to me before you make any big decisions.”

“You really think she’s done with Oliver?” “I’d say yes based on how she sold me her wedding ring before I encased it in a concrete tomb.” His mouth falls open. Shit. “It’s not that big of a deal.” “You, the billionaire who considers eating out at a steakhouse a wasteful luxury, bought Dahlia’s engagement ring just so you could bury it in concrete?” “One, I think steakhouses are overrated when I can cook the same thing at my house for half the price; and two, it was worth it.” Rafa drops his head into his hands. “I don’t know what to say to that.” “Nothing is preferable.” “How much did you pay for it?” I don’t answer him. “Julian.” “A hundred.” “Thousand?” I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah.” “Why?” “I wanted to bury it in concrete.” “I’m struggling to believe you’re the same guy who spent five years hyping himself up into buying a McLaren for double the cost of what you paid Dahlia for a cheap thrill.”

Rafa’s deep sigh makes my stomach churn. “What?” “You say you’re over her, but your actions say the complete opposite.” “Because I bought her ring?” “Because of why you bought her ring.” My frown stretches. “I was doing her a favor.” “Keep telling yourself that.”

DAHLIA

I readjust my sling before opening the door. Julian stands on the other side with a roll of papers tucked underneath his arm and his phone placed against his ear. “What do you mean—” Julian’s voice cuts out as his eyes blaze a trail down my body. He blinks twice, which is Julian code for fuck. Julian appreciating my efforts to look good feels like a victory I didn’t know I needed after spending years squeezing myself into a mold for someone else. I tuck my hair behind my ear before fidgeting with my dangling acrylic earring. “Yes, I’m still here.” His deep baritone voice has far too much power over my heart rate.

His muscles tense as he runs his hand through his hair, drawing my eyes toward the thick vein running up the side of his arm. Julian might spend most of his days in an office now, but he could still bench-press me and a bag of cement mix on his worst day. His gaze flicks over to me, catching me in the act. His right brow rises in a silent taunt that makes my stomach flip. If finding Julian attractive is a crime, consider me guilty as charged. Haven’t you learned anything after the last time you fell for his looks? Julian didn’t hurt me when we were in college because he rejected me. Sure, it injured my pride and made me feel like the biggest loser after the passionate kiss we shared, but my dislike toward him is so much more than that. He crushed my spirit when he cut me out of his life like I never existed in the first place.

With one arm out of commission, the task of removing the rubber band wrapped around it proves more difficult than anticipated, so I secure it between my thighs for leverage. “What are you doing?” Julian’s gruff voice breaks through the quiet. “What does it look like?” I push the rubber band toward the top of the roll. “Crushing the paper.” He doesn’t wait before grabbing it. Paper brushes against the inside of my thighs before sliding over a spot that tingles. Okay, fine, I haven’t had sex in a while, but still…what the hell?

Julian removes the rubber band from a second roll before opening it up. “Hm.” “What?” “Looks like you’ll get to tear down that wall between the kitchen and dining room like you wanted after all.” He points at the structural paperwork. I rub my hands together with a big, goofy smile. “Nothing gets me buzzing quite like finding out walls aren’t load-bearing.” His gaze flickers from my eyes to my lips. “What?” “You looked…” He shakes his head. “Never mind.”

“This is stunning.” Whoever drew the gazebo thought of every detail. From the roses carved into the fret spindles to the intricate posts meant to support the roof, it’s a work of art. The artist behind the drawing created a vision, with a view of Lake Wisteria predating Town Square, Main Street, and all the mansions lining the beach. I lean in closer to get a better look at the illegible scribble at the bottom of the page. A shadow catches my eye, and I flip the paper over. “Oh my God.” “What?” Julian’s hot breath hits my neck, making me shiver. “It’s a letter.” I fight back a squeal.

“My darling, Francesca. Aw! Stop! He calls her ‘darling.’” The secret romantic in me is already buzzing with anticipation, and I’ve only read three words. “Let me have that.” He steals the paper straight from my hands. “Hey!” “At your current pace, we’ll be here all day while you swoon over ink on paper.” “Excuse me for having a heart.”

“It’s been three years since I last saw you, and while so much has changed, my love for you has never wavered. Our monthly letters keep me going despite the trials and tribulations I have been through to help turn this town into a suitable home for you.”

“I have been working hard to earn your hand in marriage, although the path has not been the easiest. Building an entire town from nothing takes time, and I am afraid I am running out of it now that your father has started discussing marrying you off to another.” I gasp. “What? How could the dad do that?” “Because feminism wasn’t exactly a thing yet.” “Ugh.” I shake my head hard enough to make my earrings rattle. Julian keeps going. “I thought I had more time before he began entertaining other suitors, but I am fearful that he might make a decision before I have a chance to fight for your hand.” I tap on the page. “What are you doing? Keep reading!” His gaze flicks back over the paper. “I will stop at nothing to make you mine.”