Page 20 of You. Me. Us.

Julius chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Now, where would be the fun in that? It’s called a surprise for a reason, Hillary.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You know I’m a journalist, right? Uncovering secrets is kind of my thing.” He had a way of making her smile that wasn’t used to.

“Well, consider this one secret you’ll have to wait to uncover.” His gaze met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in the intimate confines of the limo.

He had that way about him that she worried it would happen every time he looked at her.

That time she knew a blush creeped up her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, focusing instead on the rose she held in her hands. The delicate petals brushed softly against her skin, a tangible reminder of the romantic gesture that had caught her so off guard.

She couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted Julius to do this, to surprise her with a limo ride and a promise of adventure. They had a connection, a spark that seemed to ignite, but she had never imagined it would lead to something like this.

As if sensing her thoughts, Julius reached over and gently took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing motion. “Hey, relax. I promise, you’re going to enjoy what I have planned and I’m not some crazy kidnapper.”

Hillary took a deep breath, letting his words wash over her. She trusted him, even if the rational part of her brain was screaming at her to be cautious. But there was something about Julius, something that made her want to take a leap of faith, to see where this unexpected journey might lead.

“Okay,” she said softly, meeting his gaze once more. “I’m ready for whatever adventure you have in store.”

Julius’s smile widened, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “That’s my girl.”

Any other time she would’ve melted into a puddle at his feet at the words, but she somehow kept it together, knowing that this wasn’t the situation to act like her usual nervous self.

As the limo continued to navigate the city streets, Hillary allowed herself to relax, to let go of her doubts and fears and simply enjoy the moment. She didn’t know what lay ahead, but with Julius by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges or surprises the day might bring.

The limo glided effortlessly through the busy city streets, the world outside reduced to a blur of darkened colors and shapes despite barely moving fast. Hillary found herself lost in thought, her mind racing with possibilities of what Julius had planned. She glanced over at him, admiring the way the soft light inside the limo played across his chiseled features.

Julius caught her gaze and smiled. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Hillary felt a blush creep into her cheeks. “I’m just wondering where we’re going,” she admitted.

“And ruin the surprise?” Julius teased, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Where’s the fun in that?”

She couldn’t help but laugh, his playful demeanor continuing to put her at ease. “I think we’ve already had this discussion, so I’ll just keep to my thoughts.”

“That’s the spirit,” he said, leaning back against the plush leather seat. “But I will give you one hint. It’s a place that holds a special meaning for me, somewhere I’ve always wanted to share with someone special.”

Hillary’s heart skipped a beat. Someone special. Did he really mean her? She had always felt a connection with Julius, but she had never dared to hope that he might feel the same way.

As if reading her thoughts, Julius reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering onher cheek. “You’re overthinking,” he murmured. “Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

She nodded, leaning into his touch. Outside, the city gave way to lush greenery as the limo turned onto a winding road, the trees forming a canopy overhead. Hillary felt a sense of excitement building within her, a tingling anticipation for whatever lay ahead.

Julius’s hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Hillary knew that no matter where they were going, as long as she was with him, everything would be perfect. It was just the way his touch made her feel—safe, wanted.

The limo slowed to a stop after just over an hour, and Hillary looked out the window, her eyes widening in surprise. Before her was a sight straight out of a fairy tale. A sprawling estate with grounds so meticulously manicured it seemed like a painting come to life. Every shade of the rainbow was represented in the blooming flowers that filled the landscape, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. And at the heart of it all loomed a house large enough to be considered a mansion, its white pillars standing tall and proud against the bright blue sky.

She hadn’t even realized they’d left the city, she’d been so distracted in trying to be calm around Julius.

“Where are we?” she breathed, turning to Julius with a questioning look.

He smiled, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “This is my family’s estate. I grew up here, played in these gardens, and dreamed of sharing it with someone who would appreciate its beauty as much as I do when I was older. I’m not exactly a rags-to-riches actor.”

Hillary’s heart swelled at his words, the realization of just how much he trusted her sinking in. “Julius, I can’t believe you brought me here.” She wasn’t certain what constituted a normalfate with a celebrity, but this felt very intimate…minus the giant mansion.

“What better way to get the small talk of getting to know someone out of the way than seeing where they grew up,” he said softly, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you.”

He helped her out of the limo, his hand resting gently on the small of her back as he guided her toward a winding path leading into the gardens. Hillary couldn’t help but marvel at the riot of colors that surrounded them, the scent of roses and jasmine filling the air. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen a garden so vibrant outside the spring botanical gardens exhibit.

As they walked, Julius pointed at a large sprawling tree whose branches stretched over the roofline of the house. “This asshole,” he chuckled. “This asshole is responsible for not one, but two, broken bones. My arm when I was eight and my ankle when I was twelve. Clearly, I never learned not to fall.”

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