Page 161 of Love Arranged

“Well, this time could be different. I met with the reporter, and she’s working on a front-page article about you and some of the businesses you’ve invested in. Those people want to help you and share their stories.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know if that will be enough.”

“It can help. Heck, learning about everything you’ve done to help give back made me see you in a completely new light, and I already knew a lot about you.”

“And what happens if none of it is enough? What if we spend the next two months trying, and it still doesn’t work out?” He shuts his eyes. “What if Ilose?”

“I…I don’t know.” A cold feeling sweeps through my body as I take in his vacant eyes.

I understand Lorenzo losing the election is a possibility. Up until now, we’ve done a good job ignoring it, and honestly I’d like to hold on to that naivete a little while longer.

Lorenzo doesn’t seem to feel the same way. “It’s a reality we have to consider at some point.”

“Why?”

He averts his gaze. “Because what if I can’t do it?”

Goose bumps break out across my skin. “Do what…?”

His lips part, but he doesn’t speak. Looks like I’m not the only one who wants to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.

“What can’t you do?” I press.

His eyes shut, cutting me off from reading his emotions.

He has enough to stress about, I remind myself.

I grab both ends of the towel draped around his neck and pull him in. “We’ll figure it out together if the time comes, right?”

He kisses the top of my head. “Sounds good.”

It should, but the waver in his voice doesn’t match the vote of confidence.

Desperately wanting to banish the last bit of heaviness from the air, I change topics. “Are you tired from your workout, or could I interest you in a little bedroom cardio?—”

Lorenzo throws me over his shoulder, taking the steps two at a time.

“Gross! You’re so…wet!”

The sound of his laugh echoes off the tall ceilings, and I feel ten times better already at the sound of it.

All my other worries melt away as Lorenzoand I spend the rest of the night together, reassuring me of our ability to weather whatever storm comes our way together.

Little did I know, not everyone wants to get on the same life raft.

Some would much ratherdrown.

43

LORENZO

The expected crowd size for tonight’s mayoral debate has doubled since the event was first announced, so it was switched to Wisteria High’s basketball court—the biggest indoor venue available in all of Lake Wisteria. All free tickets were reserved within the first day, so it will also be live streamed in classrooms throughout the high school for those who want to watch.

Willow says she hasn’t seen anyone this enthusiastic about an election before, and the voter-registration data reflects that. More people have signed up to vote in this election cycle year than any other year, so I should be happy, but this week’s focus group spooked me, and my anxiety spiked to an all-time high.

I’ll make up for the minor setback tonight and put to rest any lingering doubts about my ability to lead.

A door parallel to the teacher’s desk I’m sitting at creaks open, and Lily walks inside the classroom, looking like the future mayor’s wife in a periwinkle dress she bought with my credit card.