Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

“This is a phenomenal transformation,” he said, his gaze never returning to the screen. “You turned a bland, open room into a multifunctional living space.” He leaned in closer. “Love the glass panel partition,” he mused. “It lets natural light illuminate the whole apartment.”

She warmed at his enthusiasm. She couldn’t remember the last time Linc had been excited by her designs or work. Not because he didn’t like the job she did. He never hesitated to compliment her, but this kind of exhilaration was different.

“Yes.” She stepped up beside Beck. “The average studio apartment is five hundred and fourteen square feet, so I needed to make use of every last inch without leaving it cluttered. Look.” She pointed her finger without touching the screen. “I hid a foldaway Murphy bed that has shelf storage when closed, and I used mirrors to give the illusion of more room,” she said.

“Is that wall a deep purple?” he asked.

“A dark violet accent wall.”

“Hmm.”

She was unable to get a read on whether or not he liked the color she’d chosen. Suddenly, something she’d kept secret for so long was in the open, and it felt like she was exposing her heart and soul.

“I like it,” he said at last.

And with his approval, she realized how much she’d wanted him to admire her designs. His validation mattered because she’d had so little in her life. Oh, her brothers wanted what was best for her, in that big-brother-knows-what-that-is sort of way. But Beck was separate and apart from her family. Not only did his opinion matter, he mattered.

So much for emotional distance, she thought, frustrated with herself.

“Who is this for? Because it can’t be Linc. Not with the ultramodern accents.” He turned to face her, curiosity in his gaze.

She drew a deep breath. “Do you remember when we talked about reaching for what we want? And I asked about fear?”

A knowing smile lifted his sensual lips. “Yes. And I said to go out, grab the world by the balls, and go after it, anyway.”

She nodded. “I did. Have you heard of Elevate’s Online Interior Design Professionals Contest?”

He nodded. “Our in-house interior designer has mentioned it along with the perks that come with winning. I didn’t want to lose her, so I paid her more to stay and not compete.” He shrugged. “In case she won and ended up with a job that would take her away from us. Couldn’t let that happen.”

Chloe laughed, admiring his cocky attitude and business sense. “Well, I already sent in my entry form. And this is my planned submission,” she said, waving a hand toward the laptop, heart pounding in her chest at the admission.

For some people, submitting wasn’t a big deal. For Chloe it meant taking that huge step toward independence.

“You did? That’s fantastic!” He turned toward her, lifted her off her feet, and spun her around in celebration. “Congratulations!”

As he lowered her, their bodies rubbed together, and awareness shot through her, causing her nipples to harden beneath her shirt. Thank God it was oversized, she thought, glad he couldn’t see the effect he had on her.

“When are you going to send it in?” he asked, voice gruff, indicating he’d felt the same sparks she had.

Forcing herself to focus on his question wasn’t easy when her body was on fire. “I’ll enter when I stop trying to make it perfect,” she admitted.

He narrowed his gaze. “How close to final is it?”

Even she couldn’t deny the truth. “It’s there. Every new tweak will take the individuality out of it.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, her nerves showing again.

He braced his hands on her shoulders. “Then what do you say you submit now? And tonight we go out to dinner to celebrate?”

“Really? Are you sure you’re in the mood?” He’d had a blow this morning, and he’d been upset about his dad.

He inclined his head. “I can’t change the diagnosis, right? Dwelling won’t help. I’m going to see my parents this weekend. So yes, I’m sure. You need to go for what will make you happy, and we need to celebrate your accomplishment. Now no more stalling. Life’s short.”

His sister, she thought, understanding him so much better now. She could learn a lesson from his loss, too.

She clasped her hands in front of her. “The photos are set and formatted, captions and floor plans complete. The written section is also finished.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “You’re right. It’s time.”

Grinning, he took her hand and pulled her closer to the laptop. “Good. You’re ready to show them what you’ve got.”

It helped to have him in her corner, cheering her on. He was in the real estate business, was aware of design and aesthetic, and she trusted he wouldn’t let her make a fool of herself.

Her heart slammed inside her chest as she pulled out the chair and sat down in front of the screen. Beck’s firm hand never left her back as she closed out of the program she’d been working in and began the submission process.