Page 189 of Love Arranged

“It’s not cheating if you leave me.”

He ropes my ponytail around his hand and tugs. His mouth finds the hollow part of my throat, and he kisses it right before sucking at the skin.

I half groan, half moan.

“I’m not leaving you, and tonight I’ll prove it once and for all.”

50

LORENZO

The meeting with the reporter was all Lily’s idea. When she first mentioned it, I was against the suggestion given my past experiences with the media. But seeing as theWisteria Weeklyis a far cry from the easily influencedNevada Sun, I go along with her plan.

If I want to win, I need to make the most of every opportunity, which is why I invited Nicole over to my house for an official interview. Lily is the ultimate hostess, apologizing on Daisy’s behalf when she nearly sends Nicole into a wall, and I can picture her doing the same for years to come.

Thinking about Lily and our future seems to be happening more often than not lately. It’s clear I love her, and therapy has only further cemented the idea in my head, although I haven’t wanted to admit it aloud, but I’m done lying to myself.

Besides her smile and laugh, I love how compassionate and patient she is, and I admire how she doesn’t back down from her promise, even though I can tell it is difficult for her to spend time with me each week.

I love the way she has turned my home into her own without knowing it, and I love how easily she fits into my life like she’s always had a place in it.

And once Nicole leaves, I’ll tell her that.

It takes me ten minutes to determine that Nicole is nothing like theNevada Sunreporter, and I should’ve assumed as much because Lily would never put me in that kind of position to begin with.

Once we get past the pleasantries, Nicole pulls out a notepad and her phone. “I appreciate you both taking time out of your Saturday to meet with me. I’m still catching up on a few things after I got sick last week.”

She hits the record button on her phone.

“No worries.” Lily smiles.

“We appreciate you wanting to speak with us.” I reach for Lily’s hand and lace our fingers together.

Nicole glances at our clasped hands before looking up with a smile. “Lily’s told me so much about you.”

“All good things,” Lily adds. “Except for you not being a Detroit Lion’s fan.”

Nicole places her palm against her heart. “I’m still processing that one.”

“How much will it cost me to have that fact excluded from the article?” I tease.

She grins. “Are you kidding? That’s making it onto the front page.”

“There goes the election…”

The reporter laughs. “While we’re on the subject, let’s talk more about that. What pushed you into running?”

I consider repeating the generic statement Willow and I have gone over what feels to be a hundred times, but I offer a new one instead.

“I believe the town is facing a hypothetical fork in the road, and it is up to them to decide which path to take. Both can lead toward prosperity—where one brings money and wealth to a select few while the other allows for a higher quality of life for everyone. I’ve been clear about where I stand, which is why I’d rather step up now and fight for a town I believe in than sit back and wish I did something about it later.”

Nicole writes down notes while I speak.

“And with Lily’s shop on the line, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t give this campaign my all.”

Lily squeezes my hand, and I look over to find her staring at me with a wobbly smile.

“Thank you,” she says.