Page 33 of Love Arranged

“But you can use your half to open the Pressed Petal somewhere else in town.” I’m upset she would even suggest such an idea, seeing as I rejected Julian’s, Dahlia’s, and Rafa’s offers to loan me money.

I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”

“Why not? I’m getting closer to retirement, and then you’d be free to chase your own dream.”

Angry tears spring to my eyes, coming in hot and heavy. “Rose & Thorn is a big part of that.”

Can she not see how the two ideas go hand in hand? There wouldn’t be a petal-pressing business without Rose & Thorn’s customer base, and the main reason I enjoy creating the art pieces is because I am a part of the wedding bouquet-making process from the start.

I don’t notice a tear slipped out until my mother wipes it away.

“No llores,?*”she says softly while pulling me into a hug. Her embrace is tight, and the smell of her perfume is familiar, soothing the ache in my chest.

“I can’t lose this place,Mami.” It’sPapi’s and her legacy, and I desperately want to be a part of it. My sister always had dreams that were bigger than this town, but Rose & Thorn…it was the beginning of mine.

She brushes my hair out of my face before cupping my cheek. “Even if we lose Rose & Thorn, I want to say I’mso very proud of you,mija. You took our legacy and made it even better, and if your father was here, he would be just as proud of the successful woman you’ve become.”

I frown. “Why does it sound like you’re quitting?”

“Because…I don’t know if I have the fight in me anymore. I’m tired, and hiring a lawyer sounds stressful. Way more stress than it’s worth.”

I know she doesn’t mean to hurt me, but her giving up feels like she is turning her back on me.

This is her anxiety talking, Lily.

I put my feelings aside. “If the buyout wasn’t an issue, would you keep Rose & Thorn?”

“Of course. I love that shop.” Her voice cracks. “I know you’ve taken on more responsibility, but my heart will always belong there. Your father and I…we put our heart and soul into it, and it will always feel like home.”

Which is why I’ll save it one way or another. “Please. Give me a chance to figure this out before you throw in the towel.”

My mom takes a few deep breaths. “Okay. How about this? I’ll schedule a meeting with Mayor Ludlow to discuss the letter and voice my concerns while you think of some solutions.”

I might not like it, but I think I know exactly where to start.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and his name happens to be Lorenzo Vittori.

* Are you working today?

* Forgive me, my daughter.

* Don’t cry.

5

LILY

Before I reach out to Lorenzo’s team to schedule a meeting to discuss the city council’s buyout plan and ask for help, I want to consider all my other options.

After thirty minutes, I narrow my ideas down to two: my original one of meeting with Lorenzo, or starting a petition to abolish the amendment, which gives the mayor permission to buy up properties.

The Ludlows want discretion, so it makes sense to do the opposite, but what if it affects those who might have already signed the NDA? Would there be legal or financial consequences for them? Just thinking about the loopholes makes my head hurt, so I ditch that idea and go with my first one.

Maybe Lorenzo’s campaign manager, Willow, can helpcome up with a better solution to my problem. She’s Ellie’s best friend, and I was in the same running club as her before I graciously bowed out after a disastrous 5K, so I feel comfortable enough to talk to her about the issue.

My worries lessen when Willow answers me back and invites me over to her house for a wine night, only for them to reappear thirty minutes later when I’m dropped off by my mom at her front door.

What if she can’t help me?