Chapter 5 #2
“Really, I’ll do all the heavy lifting—or rather my team will.
The only thing that changes for you is flying down here once or twice a month to film content.
” Ashley says this to Julian as we all dine casually around the kitchen island bar on homemade tacos, which are incidentally the best tacos I’ve ever eaten.
And beyond healthy, according to our host. Over the surprisingly casual family-style dinner, Ashley (he’s known and called by his last name, except by Allie, who calls him Luke or Ash) shares the ins and outs of this new business venture.
He’ll be the investor in Julian’s new company, The McKay Method.
For a percentage, Ashley would essentially fund and spearhead making Julian the next big thing in the fitness world—as a branch of the Ashley conglomerate, but its own entity.
From the little I know and understand about basic business, it sounds legit, if a little too good to be true.
But watching Allie with him might’ve given me the reason for his generosity.
They are clearly, as Julian said earlier, smitten.
It’s frankly beautiful to see. He is this specimen of virility, wealth and savviness who seems genuinely excited to share it.
Julian is quiet through dinner—not awkwardly quiet but reserved. He seems hopeful, asking insightful questions and trading ideas with both Ashley and Allie. I mostly say nothing except when I can offer encouraging sentiments like “That sounds promising,” or “Ooh, that would be fun,” and “Amazing.”
At least, I hope I sound encouraging. I mean every word, but it’s hard to take our relationship out of the bubble we’ve formed it in.
I’m protective of it, of him. Is protective the right word?
Maybe I’m being possessive. I don’t like the thought of that, but I’ve never had anyone like Julian in my life before—not a boyfriend or committed relationship before him—and I’m a little out of my element, to put it mildly.
When we finish the meal, I gladly offer to clean up as a thank you for the hospitality and let them continue their business planning.
It’s a great excuse to listen and not feel required to chime in with inane declarations.
I feel pulled in two. I want every good thing for this sweet, beautiful man, but I don’t want it to take him away from me.
So lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the lull in conversation or my guy walking up behind me at the sink until he’s sliding his arms around my waist. He places a quick kiss on my neck. I tilt from habit to give him better access.
Ashley speaks up from behind us like we were in the middle of a conversation, telling me I’d zoned out on the group discussion and missed part of it. “Yeah, Ev, thank you for clearing the plates, but leave it. Let’s go for a walk and a soak after.”
Playing it off, I dry my hands and smile, nodding. The four of us, each couple holding hands, head out the back door off the kitchen/dining area and down the stairs of his deck to his private beach access. No wonder Allie doesn’t want to come home.
As if I’d summoned her to me with that thought, she snakes her arm through mine as we walk along the beach. “You were quiet throughout the business talk. What do you think?” She talks low enough that we won’t be heard over the sound of the waves.
Julian raced Ashley down the beach anyway and they’re now walking and laughing their way back toward us.
It reminded me of how my mom always teased my dad about men never growing up.
It’s cute watching them act like boys and drives home how much he and I live in our isolated bubble of Blue Lake.
A bubble of our own making, but a bubble, nonetheless.
“It sounds like an incredible opportunity. One he shouldn’t pass up—especially if you trust Ashley the way you do.”
“He is probably the most generous person I’ve ever met.”
“Forgive me if I’m out of line here, but I think love looks good on you.”
Allie squeezes my arm with hers and giggles. “I do think I love him. And I think he loves me.”
It’s dusk, so I can’t see if she’s blushing, but her words sound like she probably is. “You think? Or you know?” I ask like we’re besties, which is how she’s made me feel since I moved to Blue Lake—like an equal.
“I know. He wants to marry me.” This she says quietly, leaning into my ear.
“Oh my God, Allie, that’s . . . wonderful.” I all but squeal it, prompting the men to look up from their animated conversation and focus on us. We both giggle nervously and turn toward the ocean to watch the waves.
“Will you move down here then?” People have teased me before about flashing forward twenty years in any given situation. I think it just makes sense to prepare for every possible outcome. Less likelihood for unexpected drama, chaos or hurt.
“That would depend . . .”
“On . . .?”
“Julian. You. Your plans for the future. Julian already owns half of Fit and Brew. If I do decide to move down here full time, I might want to divest my interests.”
“You mean like sell your half to Julian?”
“Or you? What are your plans, Evvie? Do you want to go away to college? Get your degree online?” She trails off, giving me a chance to respond.
“I’ve thought about that a lot lately. Especially since coming here. Seeing Pepperdine. And that library. So beautiful. It’s always been my dream to go away to school. But dreams have a way of changing. And I think mine has.”
“Yeah, they do.” Allie’s face takes on a wistful expression as she says it. “Maybe you’ll travel for something else now. With someone.”
“Did you know Julian and I would become a thing?” I ask her bluntly.
“What? Nooo. I mean, it may have crossed my mind that there would be an attraction. But I saw you as two kindred spirits, I guess. It just seemed like you two would get each other. Beyond that, I didn’t give it any deep consideration.
I’m glad that you have each other though.
To see Julian open up to someone, care about someone the way he cares about you, makes me so happy. ”
“He says the same thing about you.” My reply has a sad smile creeping over Allie’s face.
I want to ask her about it, but I don’t, because I know what it’s like to not want people to ask me about my sad smiles.
So I change the subject instead. “The thing is, I can study and earn a degree anywhere. So, I think you’re right.
I can swap ‘going away to school’ for traveling for fun instead.
I like that. Even if it’s just coming down here with Julian for now.
I mean, this place is a vacation all by itself.
” I spread my hands to encompass our surroundings.
Giggling, Allie agrees, “It really is.”