Page 186 of Love Arranged

“And I’ll say it again after you share whatever has been bothering you for the past few weeks.” She reaches for my hands and wills me to look at her. “I want to help you however I can because I don’t want to watch you fade away.” Her eyes flicker across my face. “Not again.”

My eyes water, not only for Lorenzo and what our relationship has become but for myself. Dahlia is right. I did fade away.

But not anymore.

“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t know if there is anything you can do to help me.” I grab a tissue and dab at the corners of my eyes because no, I refuse to ruin my eyeliner after spending ten minutes on it.

“Don’t count me or Julian out yet.”

“Are you volunteering Julian without asking him?”

“I think it’s better than Lorenzo extorting him, no?”

Her unwavering loyalty and support gives me the courage to share the truth about my situation, regardless of the outcome. If Lorenzo gets mad at me about it, so be it.

If he hadn’t hurt me first, then I wouldn’t even be in this position, so he’s to blame.

Dahlia is quiet as I explain why Lavender Lane was singled out by the Ludlows and my situationship with Richard. I then open up about my fake relationship with Lorenzo, who I used to know as Laurence.

The more I share about my situation, the messier it sounds, but Dahlia doesn’t judge me or vocalize her thoughts. She does hit me with an arched brow when I talk about how I naively thought I could get out of the engagement unscathed, though, and I guess I deserve that one.

I’m winded by the time I finish explaining everything up until now, minus Lorenzo’s confession as to why he needs to move away if he loses.

When another minute passes without my sister saying anything, I start to panic.

“So youaremad.”

She shakes her head. “This is…wow. I need a few minutes to process how you faked an entire relationship.” Her gaze drops to my hand. “And are engaged!”

I shut my eyes with a groan. “Don’t remind me.”

“What were you thinking when you agreed to all that?”

“I was desperate.”

“Clearly. But now you’re saying that you genuinely have feelings for Lorenzo, so it’s not really a fake relationship, then?”

“Technically yes—or itwasreal, but now it isn’t again.” My nose wrinkles. “Ugh. It’s complicated, okay?”

“Was there ever a time it wasn’t?” she deadpans.

I force a laugh.

She starts to rub her temple. “I’m starting to get a migraine.”

“Same.” I sift through my purse and pull out a bottle of Advil. We both knock a couple back before resuming our conversation.

“All right. I’m ready for your judgment.” I bring it on with a flick of my fingers.

“Iwantto give you a hard time about this, but I’m pretty sure you’re doing an incredible job of that, so I’ll refrain from judging too harshly.”

“Thanks for your generosity,” I reply dryly.

“But…”

“I knew you were holding back.”

She chuckles. “An anonymous dating app? Seriously? You were practically begging to be catfished!”