Page 43 of See You There
The stormy clouds in her eyes receded.
“James and I both thought about going by our mother’s last name at one point, but it wouldn’t have done any good. Our pictures and life stories were everywhere. There is no escaping the reputation. People assume they know everything about me, when sometimes it feels like no one knows me at all.”
Luke froze. Why the hell had he said that? He’d been conditioned his entire life to never talk about family. To open up meant putting yourself at risk. Besides, people found it hard to be sympathetic to the poor little billionaire’s son.
However, there was no judgment on Dahlia’s face. Instead, her forehead wrinkled. “Is your family that bad? I heard there was a problem with your sister and Matt… and according to Victor, he’s furious I hired your firm.” She paused. “I know he’s your brother, but it’s obvious you and he are nothing alike.”
“Matt Crawford isnotmy brother,” Luke snapped, instantly regretting it when Dahlia flinched. He forced himself to soften his tone even as his muscles tensed. “He is barely my stepbrother. His mother married my father a year before hedied. I’ve actually only met Matt a few times. We keep our distance.”
Dahlia looked confused. “Then why all the animosity?”
Luke wiped his mouth. “It’s a long story.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to pry… Matt Crawford isn’t one of my favorite people either.”
“Then why were you out with him that night?” Luke hadn’t meant to ask, but it had been simmering underneath. Like a splinter he couldn’t get out. He wasn’t sure why the idea of Dahlia and Matt Crawford being friends disturbed him so much.
Dahlia looked at him as if he’d asked why she kept breathing. “He owns the studio I’m under contract with.”
Luke grunted. “He doesn’t own you. You could tell him to fuck off if you wanted to. Instead, you were partying with him.”
Dahlia’s face grew red. “It may not seem like a big deal to you. You were born into money, right? You have the freedom to tell people to fuck themselves. Trust me, I’d love to tell Matt to never get near me again, but the best I can do is avoid him.” She glared fiercely at Luke. “Chandler didn’t tell me Matt would be there. It was just supposed to be Chandler. Victor promised I wouldn’t have to be alone with him again after—” Dahlia’s lips slammed shut.
“After what?” Luke didn’t like the sound of that, and he didn’t like the way Dahlia made it sound as if she had no choice.
“Never mind.” She pushed the box away. “I need to get going. I’m probably getting sunburned.”
The Lia voice was back, and Luke hid his sigh. He’d pushed, and she’d retreated behind her walls. He had no one to blame but himself and his stupid jealousy. That drew him up short. He wasn’t jealous… was he?
“I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s none of my business.”
Dahlia gave him a stiff nod and rose to her feet without a word.
Luke followed her to the sidewalk, lost in thought, as Dahlia answered a phone call. Why did he feel so territorial over her? Luke could acknowledge he was more attracted to her than he had been to any woman in a long time… maybe ever. It wasn’t just that she was stunning and looked practically edible in that dress.
There was something he couldn’t put his finger on that drew him like a magnet. She was a clientandin a relationship–the very definition of off-limits. Luke had never enjoyed being told no. Was that all this was? Was she so tempting because, as a client, he couldn’t do anything about it?
Behind him, Dahlia let out a heavy sigh, and briefly lifted the phone from her ear. Luke could easily hear her agent yelling. “I just got a call fromEntertainment Now!magazine! What were you doing, bringing up some bullshit charity for poor kids? Are you trying to draw attention to the fact that you…” Luke lost the rest of what he said as Dahlia pressed the phone back to her ear.
“Victor, can I call you back? I'm still here with my attorney. I’ll be home in thirty minutes.” Luke watched her nostrils flare at whatever Victor said in response.
Lukereallydidn’t like that guy.
Across the street, Edgar came around the front of the car to wait for them as Luke pressed the button for the crosswalk and listened to Dahlia soothe her agent. The entire thing felt backward and pinged his radar. Didn’t Victor work for her?
The light changed, and Luke tapped her elbow, letting her know it was their turn to walk. They had just cleared the cars stopped in the closest lane when Luke heard an engine rev loudly. From his peripheral vision, he saw a silver car barrel toward them at full speed.
Almost in slow motion, he saw Edgar’s mouth fall open to yell a warning as Luke grabbed Dahlia and yanked her back, causing them both to fall to the pavement. Inches from their feet, Lukesaw tires whizz by and then heard the squeal of tires as the speeding car continued through the intersection, forcing cars in the cross-street to slam on their brakes.
“Are you all right?” Luke winced at the sharp pull in his ribs when he rose to his feet. He extended a hand to Dahlia, who was struggling to her knees. She’d lost a shoe, and her light-colored dress was now filthy.
Dahlia made a face when he helped her to the sidewalk. “I’m okay. Just bruises.”
Luke scanned her and saw blood trickling from one knee as she bent her arm to examine a skinned elbow. “We should get you cleaned up.”
She looked down at the bloody knee and then at her box of leftovers and Edgar’s tacos, now strewn across the road. “No worse than falling out of a tree. I’m more upset about my leftovers. I was looking forward to those.” Dahlia tried to smile.
“Mr. Bloom! Are you all right?” Edgar panted as he jogged across the road.
