Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher

My mom, Lily, and I binge the latest season of our favorite telenovela together, which keeps my mind occupied for a day or two, but it never fixes the empty feeling plaguing me since Julian left for the cabin.

Because he fills a void that nothing else can.

A terrifying realization after everything I’ve been through over the last year.

You knew something like this could happen.

Yeah, well, knowing and experiencing are two very different things.

Despite my fear of getting hurt, my feelings are becoming difficult to ignore, especially now that I know how he feels.

I’m falling in love with you.

I’ve replayed the memory a hundred different times this weekend, expecting the buzz to go away, yet it remains throughout the weekend and well into Monday.

My heart slams against my rib cage when Julian walks into the Founder’s house kitchen with a paper bag I instantly recognize.

I ditch the tile samples and run up to him to confirm the name stamped on the side of the bag.

“No freaking way!” I squeal as he passes me a takeout bag from Aomi. “I thought they didn’t offer takeout?”

“They don’t.”

“Then, how?”

“They make exceptions.”

“For a price?”

He nods, and I laugh at the insanity of it all.

I place the bag on the counter and rip it open.

“I ordered a few different rolls since I didn’t know which one you liked most.”

“Are you kidding? I’d eat anything from there.” I reach inside and pull out the first container with a sigh. “How is this possible? They’re in New York.”

Aomi is the most luxurious and expensive sushi restaurant in the U.S., with most meals costing over a thousand dollars per head since they import fresh seafood directly from Japan. I only went once at my television network’s expense and never returned because I couldn’t justify the price or trip.

He avoids my gaze. “I hired a guy to pick it up.”

“With what? A private jet?” I laugh off the idea.

His lips form a thin, white line.

My eyes widen. “Oh my God. Tell me you didn’t.”

His silence says enough.

“That’s terrible for the environment.”

“Are you going to make me promise to never do it again?”

“Hell no. Next time, we’ll have to go together to make it worth the carbon footprint.”

He shakes his head. “You never cease to surprise me.”

“That’s why you like me. Challenge, remember?”

He kisses my forehead before stepping away. “Enjoy your lunch.”

The excitement I felt about eating seven-hundred-dollar sushi rolls disappears as Julian walks toward the door.

“I haven’t seen you all weekend,” I say to his back.

He turns. “Did you miss me?”

I bite down on my tongue.

“You did.” He smirks.

“Shut up,” I snap.

“When you’re ready to admit you couldn’t stand being away from me for four days, come find me.” His eyes glitter as he moves toward the archway.

“Wait!”

He pauses. “Yes?”

“Fine. I missed you. A lot.”

“Me too. I considered ditching Nico and Rafa on the second day.”

“And that right there is why I’m the favorite godparent.” I stick out my tongue.

He spares me an icy glare. “It was for their safety more than anything. I nearly poked Nico’s eye out while making s’mores because I was busy daydreaming about the other night with you.”

My cheeks flush.

He nods toward my container. “Hope the food is as good as you remember. I’ll stop by later and check on you once I’m done with the molding in the dining room.”

“Will you join me?” After spending a whole weekend without him, I want a little more than three minutes of his time.

“I was hoping you’d ask.” He winks. My whole world stops spinning for a second before I gather my bearings again.

“The house is coming along.” He stands on the opposite side of the island.

I glance around the half-finished kitchen, taking in the grand, warm oak cabinets Ryder and his team hung last week.

“I like the color of the island.” Julian glances over at the deep blue wood paint. “And the waterfall counter adds a nice touch.”

“What about the pendant lights?” I tilt my head toward the lampshades hanging above the off-white quartz counters.

“Fits the blend of modern and Victorian you’re going for, although I like the vintage light above the sink most.”

“Me too. I found it at Another Man’s Treasure and knew we needed it.”

He steps away from the counter and checks out a few paint swatches. “I like this one.” He points at my least favorite one.

I must make a face because he asks, “No?”

“Too dark, especially if we’re trying to balance out the island.”

“Good point.”

Julian and I spend the rest of our lunch break discussing other parts of the house while stealing pieces of sushi from each other’s containers. Compared to Oliver’s go-to you got this, babe reply and general apathy toward my design process, Julian not only seems interested but also gives opinions. We have become a team.