Page 138 of Love Arranged

“You’ve been making a positive impact on this town for two years, in more ways than anyone knows. You care about Lake Wisteria?—”

“Only because my mother loved it.”

Lies, but not worth fighting him on right now. “That only supports my third point: You’re incredibly loyal to those you find worthy of it.” My voice catches at the end. I didn’t expect that particular confession to make me emotional, but it seems to expose my own vulnerability.

I want someone to be loyal tome. Not because we’re family or since we’ve spent our entire lives around each other, because I already have that. I want someone who supports me because we’re a team by choice, not by circumstance.

I continue, hoping to keep my voice neutral this time. “It’s only a matter of time before we get everyone to see the real you.”

“I’d rather not.”

“I know that, but you’ll do it if it means winning the campaign.”

He taps his drink to mine. “Cheers to that.”

“And cheers to us.” I lift my paloma higher, and the diamond on my ring catches a beam of light.

He reaches for my left hand and tilts it this way and that, as if he didn’t design the piece. “Do you like it?”

“More than I want to.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He sounds more curious than annoyed.

“Whatever engagement ring I receive next will never match up to this one.”

Instead of dropping my hand, he strengthens his grip. “Why do you keep talking about what comes next?”

“Because I’m not?—”

“If you make a comment about your age, I swear to God?—”

“You’ll what?” I wrap my lips around the straw and suck.

He curses in Italian.

One point for me.

“And no.” I drag out the last word. “I was about to say that I’m not going to sit around idly, looking like some jilted lover while living in the same town as my ex-fiancé.”

A dark look passes over his face. “So what’s your plan?”

I shrug, hoping to appear nonchalant despite the rising beat of my heart. “I hope to meet a man who makes me forget about everyone who came before him.”

“And where will you find this…man?” he asks with a sneer, clearly struggling with the last word.

Has he not considered what comes next should we follow through with the original plan, or is he that blinded by his anxiety and desire to become mayor that he can’t see what is so clearly right in front of him?

“Maybe I’ll meet someone while traveling,” I reply, and his gaze flickers with awareness. “Or maybe I can join a running club?—”

“You already tried that,” he spits out.

“Right. Then maybe another cooking class? That was romantic, and there were a few single people there,” I suggest just to set him off. “Or I could expand my search to other towns. Lake Aurora has a ton of new residents, so maybe someone there ends up being a good match.”

His eyes screw shut. “Can’t you…stop talking about other people? We still have a few months, so let’s…”

“Table it?” I offer when he struggles to come up with the rest of his sentence.

“Yes. For now.” He forces a breath through his flared nostrils.