Page 40 of See You There

“It won’t be much longer.” Diane smiled sympathetically. “Just a couple more questions and photos.”

Dahlia nodded, her lips still lifted, but Luke could tell something was wrong. Beneath the red spots on her cheekbones, her skin had paled. Luke strode to the fountain and dippedhis handkerchief in the running water. He walked to where the women were now seated, pressing it into Dahlia’s hand.

“Hold it against the back of your neck. It’ll cool you down, but not mess up your makeup.” He smiled into her surprised eyes. “My sister’s a makeup artist, remember?”

“Thank you,” Dahlia said quietly. Diane looked between them with renewed curiosity. He knew the reporter was shaping her own narrative.

Luke stepped back into the shadow of a planting and observed the rest of the interview, determined not to give Diane any more to use. Dahlia’s color returned, but she still seemed out of sorts. Her expressions weren’t as natural, and she seemed worried, though it didn’t appear that Diane picked up on it.

He noticed that throughout the interview, Dahlia had steered the conversation away from her early years. It wasn’t surprising she continued to bring the conversation back to her work, but something about her demeanor struck him as strange. He’d prepped enough witnesses to pick up on when someone was concentrating in order not to reveal something. The question was what was Dahlia worried about?

“So, what’s next for Lia Everton?” Diane asked.

“I might take a little break. Travel.” Generic answer, Luke mused. Her next words surprised him. “Lately, I’ve been thinking I might like to start a theater program for children in underserved areas.”

The answer took the reporter as much by surprise as Luke. Diane hadn’t expected that. “Is that a passion of yours?”

Color rose again on Dahlia’s cheekbones, and her eyes were wide, as if she, too, was shocked by what she said. “I, um…” Her gaze found Luke’s in the shadow, and he gave her a smile. Her face eased. “I loved theater when I was young,” she began, her voice growing stronger with each word. “Where I am from, there aren’t a lot of extracurricular activities for the arts. You hearabout camps and workshops in bigger cities, but there is talent all over this country. I’d like to help nurture that.”

“That’s a lovely idea!”

It was, Luke thought, watching as the women wrapped up the interview and rose to their feet.

“Can we just do a quick, live standup for social media?” Diane asked. Dahlia smiled, but Luke could see the lines of strain around her eyes. She looked drained.

Diane had a quick word with the videographer and then stood close to Dahlia as the camera zoomed in.

“I am here on this hot Georgia afternoon,” the reporter said in a laughing voice, as she fanned herself with her hand for emphasis. “With Lia Everton! Star ofLove in Armscoming out on August 1st! We've had such a great time catching up, and I have to say, I've enjoyed this interview more than most—and not just because of the eye candy she brought along.”

Alarm bells rang in Luke’s head.

“Don’t worry guys,” Diane chuckled slyly, as the cameraman suddenly turned and pointed the lens in Luke’s direction. “He’s only her lawyer. Chandler has nothing to worry about!”

Luke scowled as the camera went back to the women, and Diane made a joke about committing a crime just to hire one of the sexy Bloom brothers.

“What the hell was that about?” Luke growled once the camera was powered off.

“What?” Diane looked genuinely surprised.

“I'm not here to be interviewed. You didn't have my permission to do that.”

Diane was unhooking her mic and pulling the cord out of her dress to hand to the cameraman. “You aren’t seriously upset that I made a joke about you being hot.” She crossed her arms and shifted her weight onto one hip.

The happy-go-lucky expression she’d worn during the interview was gone, replaced with a cynical smile. Diane’s gaze raked him up and down.

“You are extremely attractive. It’s a fact, and you know it. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t spend so much money on tailored suits and,” she waved her hand at his head, “an expensive haircut. You aren’t married, and it’s not a secret that you’re a serial dater. One of Atlanta’s most sought-after bachelors. Unless you suddenly have a girlfriend that’s going to be jealous?”

Luke felt Dahlia’s eyes on him.

“I don’t have a girlfriend. It’s a matter of professionalism.” He finally ground out.

“It's a public place,” Diane shrugged. “And it’s done now. It was a quick standup—it will have been replaced three times on our social media page by the time I get home tonight.”

“It’s boiling out here, Luke. Could you call your driver?” Dahlia asked, distracting him. He noticed her fingers were white where they had wadded his handkerchief.

“Sure.”

Dahlia pushed the handkerchief into his hand and whispered, “Let it go. Please.”