Page 131 of Love Arranged

A tight ball forms underneath my sternum, growing larger as she stares at me with those pursed lips. Thankfully the knot loosens as she disguises her expression with an alluring smile.

If it weren’t for the strain at the corners of her eyes, I would’ve believed it to be genuine.

I reach for her left hand and intertwine our fingers. Her diamond tracking bracelet catches my eye, and I smile to myself.

If I were less…well, likemyself, I’d tell her about the hidden microchip disguised as one of the diamonds, but I don’t want to run the risk of her taking it off. It’s not like I plan on stalking her location constantly—I do have other important things to do with my day—but the ability to check on her at all times fills me with relief.

It’s her fault. She forced me to care about her, to address my intolerable loneliness and possessive instincts, so she only has herself to blame.

Whatever makes you feel better about invading someone’s privacy.

I lift her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist, right above the thin gold chain. She shivers despite the August heat, and for the briefest moment I imagine her having the same reaction somewhere a little more private.

Like in my bed, with me hovering over her, touching. Teasing. Kissing her wrist. Her shoulder. The corner of her mouth that always leads to me claiming her lips.

“Lorenzo,” she says with a rasp, her voice a whisper hardly heard over the wind rustling through the trees.

I snap out of my fantasy. Out of the corner of my eye, I see some of tonight’s attendees pressing their faces against the doors.

From their point of view, I’m about to profess my undying love for the woman standing in front of me, staring wide-eyed at me.

“I thought we agreed to wait two whole months.” Lily’s words come out strained, but no one would be the wiser given her inviting smile.

“I thought it would be best to surprise you instead. Make it look as real as possible and whatnot.” I release her hand so I can reach inside my dinner jacket for the velvet box.

Before I have a chance to pull out the ring box, Lily slaps her hands against my chest, stopping my big reveal.

“But we still have two more weeks.”

Is that panic I hear?

No. That can’t be right.

I keep my smile in place because of the curious witnesses pressing their faces against the glass doors. “What difference would two weeks make? We’ve got a good momentum going now, so the sooner the better.”

“I think we should hold off.”

“Why?”

Her eyes go wide. Did she not expect me to ask her that question?

I lift her trembling hand to my mouth and drop a kiss above her knuckles. “Everything will be okay. It’s normal to be nervous.”

“No. I think this is a mistake,” she whispers, but it feels as if the words were shouted in my face.

“What?”

“We should stick to being boyfriend and girlfriend. At least for a few more weeks while we wait to see the impact your debate performance has on the numbers. Plus with the article and the ads we’re workingon?—”

“It’ll be okay,” I say. “I’ve got you.” We can deal with whatever worries she has about the next phase together.

I slowly sink down to one knee. I’m not sure she is breathing as I pull out the velvet box and pop open the lid. The pink emerald-cut diamond ring is as close to perfect as one can find, and the two smaller diamonds on either side of the main gemstone highlight its beauty.

Julian was completely beside himself while I was designing it, so I know it’s perfect, although the tear sliding down Lily’s cheek makes me pause. Her face is flawless despite the endless waterworks, and I thank whoever did her makeup for the foresight.

“Liliana Guadalupe Muñoz,” I say, suddenly nervous as I look up into her brown, misty eyes.

This isn’t real, I remind myself.