Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires, #1)

by Lauren Asher

“What were you thinking by trying to run Dahlia off the road?” “That it’s a shame I failed.”

There was nothing I wanted more than my mom’s hugs and her unwavering belief that Vicks VapoRub will cure everything, including a broken heart.

“I hope you’re not planning all the ways you can torture me already.” Her half-hearted tease lacks any oomph. “Torturing you is my favorite pastime.”

“You wouldn’t shut up about how if you got a second chance with Dahlia, you’d do things differently.”

Before that, it was easy to put him in the friend zone after Julian hurt me, but his blue eyes, blond hair, and effortless smile grew on me.

Ahhhhh… blond guy! Makes sense lol

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 don’t enjoy silence as much as people think I do. In fact, I’ve grown to hate it over the years because it reminds me of what I lack. A home rather than a house. A wife to love, cherish, and support.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the gutter started charging me rent with how often my mind hangs out there.

“I’ve been thinking.” “Should we mark this special occasion?”

I spend way too much time living in my head, fearing I’ll never be good enough without ever trying to prove to someone that I can be.

“So then, what exactly are you suggesting?” He pauses for a beat too long. “Whatever you want.” “What do you want?” His gaze flickers over my face. “Anything you’re willing to give me.”

Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. Whoever hurt her, I’ll ruin them. And whenever she needs someone to lean on, I will be there.

My spine tingles as I walk through the long hall leading to the formal sitting room. Never have I felt this excited at the end of a workday, and I pause to process why. No painful silence. No dreadful loneliness. Nothing but a strong sense of contentedness as I think of the person waiting for me.

He didn’t buy everything, because that would have been excessive, but he purchased enough to prove that he followed each launch and chose a favorite.

He supported your dreams without you knowing it.

“Why were you afraid of how I would react to your shrine?” “That’s not what this is.” He stumbles over the words. I grin. “Then what would you call it?” “An appreciation of someone who deserves it.”

“All this time, I thought you hated me…” He walks up to me and wraps his arms around me. “I never hated you, Dahlia. Not for a single second of a single day.”

“I was thinking the team could get started on demo next week.” My brows jump. “So soon?” He breaks eye contact. “I don’t want you to be bored here.” “Why?” He takes so long to answer, I almost give up waiting for one. “Because I want to give you a hundred different reasons to stay.”

“I’m falling in love with you, Dahlia. I don’t expect you to say it back after everything you’ve been through this year, but I didn’t want to go another night without you knowing how I feel. Just like I can’t go another day with you thinking I’m okay with us keeping things casual.” Por Dios. His eyes shimmer from the moon peeking through the clouds. “I missed out on a chance to make you mine before, but I don’t plan on making the same mistake again. We’re the real deal, sweetheart, and I’m done letting you believe anything else.”

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

“Life without you is hardly considered a life at all, so I’m not giving up anything by following you to San Francisco.”

“You only have one negative.” Con: She may never love me back.

“Little by little, your cons annoyingly started making their way over to the pros column.” Her laugh comes out like a half sob. “That’s ridiculous.” “No, Dahlia, that’s love.”

“Life without you was a series of pros and cons. Risks and rewards. Black and white with very few shades of gray. But then you came back and flipped a switch inside me, flooding my world with color after a ten-year blackout, and I don’t plan on giving that up. Not now. Not ever.”

“Don’t lie to me or play the humble-boyfriend card.” It’s the first time I called him my boyfriend, and the shock on his face made it worth the wait. “Boyfriend?” “Don’t let the title go to your head.” “A little too late for that. Does it come with a lifetime membership?”

“You may have started out as my rival, but you’re so much more than that. You’re my business partner and best friend. My greatest challenger and the biggest, brightest green flag there is...and hopefully, my future wife.”

“We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of two soulmates destined for one another. And while some couldn’t physically be here today with us, we know they’re here in spirit.”