Page 44 of Love Arranged

Jane nods. “Ah, yes. It’s been the story of the week.”

Of course it has.

Jane’s gaze falls to the soiled sidewalk.

I intervene before she can ask any more questions. “We should get going…”

Jane smiles at Lily. “I’ll bring you some of my mom’s chicken noodle soup tomorrow. You look like you could use it.” She heads back inside Last Call, leaving Lily and me alone.

Lily slips out of my hold and manages three whole steps in the wrong direction before I loop my arm around her and direct her back to my truck.

“I really hate you,” she says as I help her inside.

After tonight’s confession, I’m inclined to believe her.

7

LILY

The next morning, I wake up with the worst hangover, and no amount of greasy food or pain relievers can fully cure it. I haven’t made myself sick from drinking in years, so I’m still shocked about what happened.

Part of me wishes I blacked out because I remember the conversation Lorenzo and I had right before I told him to pull over, and I’ve been suffering from an ache in my chest whenever I think of him since.

You were too much for me, Lorenzo said, driving a knife through my already-bleeding heart.

What utter bullshit.

I’ve heard a variation of those words before from past men I’ve dated, and while I wondered if Lorenzo felt similarly, it still hurts to have my worries confirmed.

Istare at the box of clothes hidden in my closet and question if I should show Lorenzo what it looks like to betoo much, only for me to shake my head.

Don’t reveal how much his words got to you, I tell myself before picking a simple black dress and driving to work.

Word travels fast here, so halfway through the sluggish workday, I’ve collected ten bottles of ginger ale, four Tupperware containers of chicken noodle soup, and the largest bottle of Pepto-Bismol I’ve ever seen.

Between people passing by and my sluggishness, I don’t stop to check my phone until I lock up for the day and head to my car.

The Lopez-Muñoz chat is active, but I’m more interested in a new message from Willow.

Willow

Whatever you did to convince Lorenzo not to fire or sue me, THANK YOU!

I blink twice at the message.

Did I say something? I don’t remember?—

Oh.

Me

It’s the least I could do after risking your job to begin with.

Me

I’m SO sorry about mentioning the fiancée thing. You asked me not to say anything, and I broke my word.

Willow