Page 119 of See You There

“We’ve all had some hard times and fought some really tough battles. We’re not perfect, but who is? And if the world wants to judge me for it, and I don’t get any more jobs—I guess that’s the way it’s going to be. I’ll make my own opportunities!”

Hannah laughed. “That’s the first time you’ve sounded like my sister in ten years. It’s about damn time you got that prissy stick out of your ass. What do you want me to do, Dahlia?”

“Nothing. I guess I’m asking for your permission. Like I said, this will affect all of us. It’ll put your life out there, and it could bring up stuff that you’ve put behind you. I don’t know that reporters would track you down, but they might. I just… I don’t know… I just wanted to warn you and know that you’re okay with it.”

Hannah was silent for several beats, her kids crying in the background. “I still live in the same small town we grew up in. No one forgets anything here. I don’t think it will make much of a difference in my life one way or the other. But, you know what, I could use a little excitement. I’m sure you remember how deadly boring this town is.”

Dahlia released a long stream of relieved air. “I wish you could be at the premiere with me, Hannah.”

“What about that boyfriend of yours? Chandler?”

“Yeah… So… We aren’t really dating. It was a publicity relationship that the studio wanted for the movie.”

“I guess if you have to have a fake boyfriend, a hot one is better than a gross one.”

“Chandler is pretty gross. Remember Jonah…”

“Eww! Does he kiss his biceps, too?”

“Not quite that bad,” Dahlia grimaced. “But close.”

“I wish I could be there, too. Unfortunately, fancy dresses and parties aren’t really part of my life.” The volume of the screaming picked up in the background, and Dahlia winced at a particularly loud shriek. Hannah groaned. “I’ve gotta go before one of them kills the other.”

“Okay.” Dahlia hesitated. “I really enjoyed talking to you. Maybe we could do it more often?”

“I’d like that. I know I might not show it,” Hannah said haltingly. “But I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. And I am proud of you for building a family of your own.”

A sharp crack, followed by a wail, broke the moment. “Crap! Cole Jr. just smacked Dustin with a truck. Gotta go. Love you!”

“I love you, too,” Dahlia whispered, but her sister had already ended the call. She stared at the phone in her hand. When was the last time she’d heard her sister say that? More than ten years, for sure. Definitely not since she’d left to marry Scott.

Dahlia paced to the railing. She was overwhelmed by all the contradictory emotions racing through her. Happiness. Relief. Regret.

“Are you okay?” She hadn’t realized Luke had joined her.

He slipped an arm around her waist and bent to kiss her hair. “Who was that?”

“My sister. I was prepping her for the Victor fall out.”

“How did she take it?”

“She was amazing.” Dahlia leaned into his strength. “I think I told myself a story for so long, about how people felt… Who they are… This week has changed everything for me. I think I have my sister back.” Her eyes were bright with tears when she looked up at him. “I wish she could be at the premiere with me, but it's justnot possible. I can’t afford to fly her whole family out. Plus, she wouldn’t have anything to wear, and we’re out of time. But we are talking again, so maybe next time.” Dahlia’s lips tipped up at the corners. “So, if nothing else comes out of this fiasco, at least this onereallygood thing did.”

Luke brushed a kiss against her lips. “Just one good thing?”

Dahlia gripped his collar with her free hand to pull him closer. “I can think of a few more.”

“How are you feeling?”Dahlia asked when Chandler answered his phone.

“I’m great. Most people probably wouldn’t heal as fast as me. It’s because I’m in peak physical condition. Alan’s got me set up in this sick hotel suite, and I’ve got this hot ass twenty-four-hour nurse.”

Any hesitation Dahlia felt about ending their fake relationship disappeared. He was repulsive.

“Chandler, I need to talk to you about something. About the premiere.”

“Are you coming? I thought you were in hiding or something? That was a slick move, by the way.”