Page 142 of See You There

Brady gave her a crooked smile. “Did you think Luke was going to let you be here unprotected?”

Dahlia flushed and looked at Hannah.

“I’m liking this dude more and more,” her sister said under her breath, but Brady heard her.

“He’s a pretty good guy. Then again, I’m not the one who has to date him.” Brady’s eyes went past Dahlia’s shoulder, and his expression changed.

When Dahlia looked to see what had captured his attention, she saw Elizabeth doing everything she could not to make eye contact with the handsome investigator. There was definitely something going on with those two.

But Dahlia didn’t have time to think about it. As soon as her silver-heeled foot hit the red carpet, questions and demands were lobbed at her.

This way, Lia! To your right.

Over here, Lia!

Is it true your agent held you a virtual prisoner? Are you going to sue?

Are you and Chandler really through?

Are you dating the infamous Luke Bloom?

Dahlia kept her professional smile in place, but on the inside, she was reeling. Even she was surprised at the level of frenzied interest. Dahlia went from one marked spot on the carpet to the next, fending off one question after another. She was halfwaydown the press line when there was another frenzy of activity at the curb. Had Chandler arrived?

Dahlia stood on the taped X waiting for the reporter’s question as another burst of light bulbs went off behind her. Through the cacophony of noise, she could pick out a few phrases and her heart skipped a beat.

Mr. Bloom! Over here!

Cara! Where have you been?

What are you doing now that you’ve lost all your money?

Where’s Declan?

Dahlia tried to concentrate on the questions the young man was asking her, but she couldn’t process the words.

It couldn’t be! Why are they here? All of them!

She knew why. Dahlia turned and looked back down the red carpet. Luke and James, attired in almost identical bespoke black tuxes, had almost reached her. Farther down the line, Cara posed for pictures like a pro, but made no comment. An extremely handsome man, who must be her husband, stood nearby looking like he’d swallowed shards of glass.

Somehow Dahlia got through the next minute, and then Beau was there to lead her on to the next taped marker on the ground and the reporter waiting his turn there. Hannah stepped close and tugged on her elbow.

“Is that?” Hannah not so subtly jerked her head to where Luke and James stood fifteen feet away.

“Yes,” Dahlia hissed.

Hannah gaped at her. “You reallyarean idiot.”

A strange, tight heat spread through Dahlia’s chest, and she wanted to cry and cheer at the same time. Because her sister was right.

She was afraid to look back. She knew Luke was watching her. But like a magnet, he drew her, and she turned her head. Their eyes caught, and the noise of the crowd faded. He was toofar for her to see his eyes clearly, but she knew what she would find there. She gave him a smile and mouthed. “Thank you.”

Dahlia started for the theater’s door but froze in her tracks when she heard the reporter she’d just left say, “What was it Lia said to you? It looked like ‘Thank you.’ What was that for?”

Her head whipped around and found that somehow Luke had caught up to her but was now being waylaid with questions. Dahlia’s heart climbed into her throat as she studied Luke’s handsome profile. He cocked his head at the man as if he was confused, and then his deep voice washed over her. “I’m not sure what she’s thanking me for. I’m the one who should thank her.”

“Why is that? Are the rumors true about the two of you? Are you dating?”

“Dating?”