Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

Before shutting off Cami’s light, I brush the hair out of her eyes and kiss her forehead. “Buenas noches, mi amorcito.”

I return to the living room, finding Violet and Delilah already settled into their usual sides of the huge sectional.

Violet plucks my favorite lollipop from the bag and throws it at me. “Here. To take the edge off.”

I rip off the wrapper and pop it into my mouth. “Thanks. I needed this.”

“Are you sure you don’t want any alcohol? I can make a liquor store run and be back in ten minutes.” Violet sifts through the bag of Bon Bons for her favorite flavor.

Delilah launches a pillow directly at Violet’s face, messing up her blond curls. “You know she doesn’t drink.”

I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over ten years, ever since Cal went to rehab right before I turned eighteen. At first, it was to support him and his promise to remain sober. I never cared about drinking, and if not doing so helped him, I was all for it.

When he left six years ago, I tried to drink. I even went out and bought a bottle of the most expensive white wine I could find with every intention to break my pledge. To betray him like he did me. The plan seemed solid at the time, given the state of my emotions. Turns out I was so distraught, I didn’t even think about buying a corkscrew. My one and only attempt to drink was squashed quickly, and I vowed to never try again.

Violet huffs. “I was joking!”

Delilah’s brown eyes roll. “No wonder your stand-up comedy career tanked.”

“It’s not my fault no one in this town appreciated my brand of humor. The median age around here dates back to the Jurassic period.”

Delilah and I both break out into laughter. Lake Wisteria might lean more toward an older crowd, but there are plenty of young people living here now that the town has gained popularity amongst people from Chicago who are searching for an easier pace of life.

Delilah places a dark piece of hair behind her ear. “So, what’s the emergency meeting about?”

I give Delilah and Violet a basic rundown of the situation. They remain quiet, although there are different times when Violet’s hazel eyes widen or Delilah’s frown becomes more pronounced on her face.

Violet plucks the lollipop from her mouth to say, “Holy shit.”

“I know.”

“What are you going to do?” Delilah tucks her long tan legs underneath her.

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question?”

“Or two million, given how much this house is probably worth.” Violet gestures around the room with her half-eaten lollipop.

“You’re really thinking about selling it?” Delilah’s dark brows rise.

I drop on to the couch with a heavy sigh. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

Violet snorts. “Why? Because Malibu Ken said so?”

I shoot her a look. “He owns half the house, whether I like it or not.”

“But so do you.”

“That’s true, but Brady’s lawyer told me if I don’t want to sell, then I need to buy Cal out of his percentage.”

“That’s…” Delilah’s tan face pales.

“A million dollars?” My shoulders slump. “Even if I picked up a second job waiting tables or something, I would never be able to afford it.”

Violet snaps her fingers. “I’m sure Mitchell down at the bank would be willing to give you a loan.”

“After I turned him down for a date? No way.”

“What if the town pitched in—”

I stop her with a wave of my hand. “Absolutely not.”

The skin between Delilah’s eyebrows creases. “There’s got to be another way. Maybe some legal loophole that lets you keep the place regardless of who owns it.”

My chest aches. “There is none. I checked with the lawyer, and whether I like it or not, Cal is within his rights to sell the property.” No matter how much I love the house and the memories I’ve made here, there is nothing I can do to save it from being listed for sale.

A hint of a smile crosses Violet’s lips. “What if—”

“Oh, boy. Here we go.” Delilah grimaces.

Violet is known for her crazy plans and being the mastermind behind schemes that ended up with us in handcuffs once or twice. Sheriff Hank could never actually go through with arresting us because he felt the justice system was a slap on the wrist compared to our angry parents.

Violet clears her throat while throwing a pointed glare in Delilah’s direction. “What if you don’t end up selling the house?”

My brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“You could set the list price so unreasonably high that no one in their right mind would be willing to buy it.” Violet’s hazel eyes glint, shining bright from the countless plans bouncing around her head. With her dirty blond curls and rounded, angelic features, no one would think twice about the little devil that lingers beneath her porcelain skin.

“That’s…” Delilah’s voice drifts off.

“Actually genius,” I finish for her.

Violet perks up.

Delilah looks over at me. “You know, Violet’s plan might actually work.”

Could it really? Part of me is afraid to hope it might, just in case Cal ruins the possibility of me keeping the house.