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I lifted an eyebrow. Sarai really had put effort into this.
“And you, Daniel? That’s a long way from home.”
“I know,” he replied. “I will have to join you now and then, but I trust all of you. I really won’t be involved much. Not really. I’ll just help bring in the money after it’s done.”
“I’ve also had the investors agree you would get a small cut.” Sarai spoke so seriously that it almost didn’t sound like her. My friends gasped.
“You’re really throwing everything at me to get me to do this, aren’t you?”
Both of them nodded.
“Why? What’s in it for you? I’m decent, clearly, but you could pay many interior designers a flat fee for something like this.”
Daniel swallowed and looked over at Sarai. There was something they weren’t telling me, or didn’t know how to explain.
“I don’t understand how the investors would be happy with you giving me a cut. Unless it’s coming from somewhere else, or they are getting a benefit they think is worth it. What have you promised them?”
As I stopped speaking, I already suspected I knew the answer. Still neither of them said anything.
“Who will be the architect?”
“The investors want it to be Lukas. We haven’t officially agreed to it yet, but they want exactly the same team. If we’re bringing you on board, they are insisting on him as well.”
I frowned. It was exactly what I feared.
CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR
“How can you ask that of Kit, after everything he’s put her through?” Stacy looked appalled at Sarai’s recent announcement and I was pretty sure I agreed with her. How could they ask this of me?
“Because it’s his cut that’s being forfeited to bring you on board, and he’s promised to stay out of your way if you want him to. He won’t appear anywhere you are, won’t contact you, and won’t be involved as far as you’re concerned.” Daniel exhaled as if he hadn’t wanted to tell me that, either.
The whole situation had me confused, but it was clear I needed to know more about Lukas. Why was he doing this? If he was the one behind this entire offer, then what the hell had he dumped me for?
“While I was away, and after that article about my personal life came out, I looked into one of the statements it made. He dated someone he was working with in the past.”
“Yes. Jennifer,” Sarai replied, confirming she knew what I was talking about. “They were together for a little over a year. Worked on a library and art space together in another city. He…adored her. Put a lot on the line for her and pushed her project through with his contacts several times.”
Sarai hadn’t even finished before I figured out where this was going.
“She broke it off with him as soon as she had what she wanted?” I asked.
A grimace and a sad look on Daniel’s face answered my question.
“He hasn’t been the same since.” Daniel gave me a sad smile. “Not until I saw him with you. Right before the wedding. The way he spoke about you was like then.”
Although he’d hurt me, it finished off the explanation of the way Lukas had acted. Of every single one of his decisions regarding me. Why he had blown hot and cold. But it didn’t take away the pain of him not trusting me.
I wasn’t sure exactly what Daniel meant, but I hoped the sentiment was true. Had this come about purely because I didn’t want to get hurt again?
“If this is the only reason you are all putting together this project, please don’t do it just for me.” I smiled at them. I appreciated their kindness, but I was the one who had decided not to take any other jobs.
Daniel shrugged. “For me, it might have started there, but honestly, I love the sound of this. We really did think long and hard and put a lot of effort into the planning. This project takes the best of you, the best of us, keeps the ball rolling, and satisfies everything that matters to you.”
Although Daniel wasn’t wrong, I still didn’t know what to say. How did I decide whether to do this project or not when I knew Lukas was behind it? Working with Sarai again would be a dream. No matter what had happened with Lukas, I had enjoyed the work. And this way I got to do something similar and still be different.
“Do it,” Stacy said as soon as I looked at her. “Do it because otherwise you’ll always wonder if it would have helped. If theseguys don’t keep their word and take care of you, then you just leave.”
Sarai let out a small laugh. “It’s a good thing I’m not easily worried.”
