Page 177 of Love Arranged

“Yup.”

“Damn. I didn’t think his ego was that fragile.”

“That’s the thing. He has been fine living here with Mayor Ludlow in charge, but if Trevor wins, he has to move? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Has he been fine, though? Or has he madeit seem that way because he hasn’t had any other choice right now while he’s been campaigning?”

I sit with his words and process them. “I… Actually, I don’t know.”

“Maybe you should ask him.”

“Why? It’s not like it’ll make a difference.”

“Maybe, maybe not, but wouldn’t you rather have all the facts?”

“So he can remind me all over again that he plans on leaving me? At this point, I’m asking to get hurt again.” My voice cracks.

Rafa comes over and pulls me into a hug. “He could still win. There’s still two months left.”

“It already feels like he’s given up,” I admit, thinking back to the way he sounded after the debate.

Rafa releases me from his embrace, and the kittens return to our laps. “It sounds like he’s jumping to the worst conclusion without any evidence.”

“I mean, it was a bad night.”

“From the little I heard this morning while grabbing coffee, it sounded like they both had some good points.”

“Really?”

“I mean, I didn’t hear much, but I wouldn’t count Lorenzo out yet, and he shouldn’t either.”

“Truthfully, I don’t know anymore. He and Trevor both looked terrible, so I’m not sure either of them won, but regardless Trevor definitely ended on a higher note than Lorenzo.”

“How so?” he asks.

“Trevor brought up Vittori Holdings. Used the sale ofshares against him.” I explain the situation with theNevada Sunarticle and how it made Lorenzo look beyond petty.

“If people did some basic research, they’d understand the kind of man Lorenzo’s uncle is and why Lorenzo walked away.”

“But what if they don’t?”

“Haven’t you been talking to one of theWisteria Weeklyreporters?”

His random question makes me pause. “Yes, but it was more about Lorenzo and his connection to local businesses.”

“What if the piece isn’t only about that? What if Lorenzo opens up about his past and how he ended up here again?”

“I don’t know. He’s private about all that. Plus he strongly dislikes reporters.” Not to mention I don’t even know Lorenzo’s true reason for returning to Lake Wisteria, so how can I ask him to share it with the town?

“Maybe that’s part of his problem. People feel like they know the Ludlows, so they’re more likely to trust them, while Lorenzo is still this enigma.”

I bite down on my cheek. “I guess anything is worth a try at this point.”

Everything except our relationship, that is.

At least according to Lorenzo.

I hit peak pettiness when I drive my old car over to the assisted-living center the next morning, and the downgrade from my luxury vehicle is worth the look of pure outrage on Lorenzo’s face when I pull into the lot.