Page 138 of See You There
“This isn’t a joke, Cara. She had a rough upbringing. They placed her younger siblings in foster care after her parentspassed away. One brother died from a drug overdose, while the other brother is in prison for supplying the drugs.”
Cara gasped and darted a look up at her husband, whose face was blank. Wes had experienced his own troubled childhood and a stint in the foster care system. “How horrible!”
Luke nodded grimly. “The statement doesn’t lay all of that out, but there’s enough that the press are all over it like vultures.”
Luke had tried to call Dahlia when the worst of the headlines hit late that afternoon, but she hadn’t answered. He could only hope her team was shielding her from the cruel comments.
“I need a favor.” Luke sucked in a breath through his nose. “Before you say no, hear me out.”
“Okay.” Cara looked suspicious.
“The premiere is tomorrow night. Dahlia hoped the story might get overshadowed a bit by that, but it’s not looking that way. I’m worried she’s going to face a gauntlet on the red carpet instead of being able to enjoy the biggest night of her life.” He could feel the strange looks his siblings were giving him. “I’m flying her sister out to be with her, but I don’t know how much that will help.”
“Does Dahlia know?” James asked. When Luke shook his head, James groaned.
Cara looked between the two men. “Why does it feel like you guys are leaving something important out?”
Her eyes were wide by the time he finished the short version of what had happened regarding Scott.
“I’d have killed you,” Cara said.
“Not helpful, brat. But yeah. I get it now.”
Wes cocked his head. “I’m confused. Are the two of you together or not?”
“Not,” James said.
Cara frowned. “Because she’s still mad?”
“Not exactly. She thinks our lives are incompatible because of all the press attention on her. Dahlia knows I don’t enjoy the media attention, and she’s worried I’ll resent her, or that I’ll expect her to give up her job.”
“He’s leaving out the important part,” Anne interjected. “He’s in love with her.”
Luke thought Cara might have hurt herself, her jaw fell open so fast.
“How does she feel about you?” Wes asked. Luke wasn’t sure how he felt about Cara’s new husband interjecting, but after the grilling he’d given Wes in Dublin, it was only fair. “She says she loves me too, but—"
Cara made an ‘awww’ sound, but Luke stopped her with a look.
“It’s even still on the two-week rule timeline,” James added with a grin.
“What’s the two-week rule?” Wes asked.
“Luke doesn’t believe in dating anyone for over two weeks. He thinks it will prevent people from catching feelings,” Cara explained.
“That’s actually not a bad plan if you’re not looking for commitment.” Wes grunted when Cara whacked him with the back of her hand.
“That’s not enough time for anyone to know how they feel.”
Wes sent her a tender look. “I don’t know. I think you can know pretty quick.” The couple exchanged a look of such intimacy, James turned away.
“Can the two of you not do this now?” Luke growled.
“Sorry,” Cara said sheepishly, but still nuzzled her cheek into her husband’s side as he stroked her hair. “Back to your love life. Dahlia won’t be with you because she’s afraid you can’t deal with the media pressure of being with her?”
“What’s the favor?” Wes asked. “I’m assuming it has something to do with that.” He was clearly impatient to bring the meeting to an end to take his bride home.
“We all know how awful the paparazzi can be.”
