Page 125 of Love Arranged

Like always, the Kids’ Table group chat goes off with its own messages, but I don’t read any of them until I safely pull into my driveway and park my new SUV.

Rafa

I wish I could be there.

Dahlia

No, you don’t.

I’m relieved that Rafa went to visit Ellie in Europe with her parents and Nico because that’s one less person I have to worry about.

Me

It’s the thought that counts.

Julian

If that’s the case, then I’ll *try* to be on my best behavior.

Dahlia

I thought you two were best friends after Chicago.

Julian

Seeing as he’s still making me give a speech this weekend, no.

I laugh, only to jump in my seat at Lorenzo knocking on my window.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, winded from the scare.

“I wanted to make sure you got home okay.”

I open the door and step out of the car. “A text would’ve sufficed.”

His brows draw together, and I wonder if he considered that option.

“Here.” I retrieve the die from my pocket and hold it up for him to take.

He stares at it before shaking his head. “Hold on to it until we find out if we won the lottery or not.”

I fight a smile and fail as I tuck the die back into my pocket. “I’ll keep it safe.”

He nods, his Adam’s apple bobbing from his swallow. I’m tempted to stand on the tips of my toes and kiss it, but I hold back, instead brushing my hand down his chest. The way his breath catches feels like a reward and, even more so, a promise of what’s to come.

Never in a million years did I expect Lorenzo to jump in and adopt Daisy. He might claim it wasn’t because of me, and maybe he has his own reasons for wanting a dog, but there is no way I didn’t influence his decision whatsoever.

We both know he would’ve been perfectly content spending the rest of his existence without canine companionship if it weren’t for me.

I try not to make a big deal of it when he meets me at the animal clinic the next morning, ready to sign the adoption papers, but it’s impossible once he meets Daisy, the world’s cutest pit bull, while looking ready to bolt.

We’ve been in the private exam room for an entire minute already and he still hasn’t let go of the door handle, his body tense.

“Lorenzo, meet Daisy.” I take a seat on the floor, and Daisy takes it upon herself to turn my lap into a chair.

“This is Daisy?” The way his mouth opens and closes makes me laugh.

“What did you expect?”