Page 62 of Love Arranged

“How could you have kept this all a secret from me?” Her voice breaks toward the end.

I’m hit with the full brunt of her hurt, and it makes me feel like shit. Dahlia is my best friend, and here I am, making her upset.

One day I hope we can laugh about this, but tonight I need to focus on the plan. She will forgive me eventually, butI don’t know if I can give myself the same grace if I lose the shop.

She continues when I don’t speak. “I asked you about him the other day, and you lied to me.”

I wince.

“Iknewit was weird when he randomly fixed your car, but I took your word for it when you said it wasn’t a big deal. And then when you told us about him driving you home and taking care of you, I ignored my gut because there’s no way you wouldn’t tell me about a guy you were dating, right? Because we tell each othereverything.”

“You didn’t tell me about Julian right away.” In fact, I only found out about them because I caught them kissing.

“At least you didn’t have to wait very long to find out, and even if you hadn’t seen us that day, I would’ve told you once I knew what was happening.” Her words puncture my heart from ten different angles.

“You’re right,” I say earnestly. “I’m sorry.”

She can’t even look at me anymore. “I thought we were close?—”

“We are.” My voice shakes.

“Then tell me why you didn’t talk to me about the city council letter.”

I flinch. “Mom told you about it?”

“Yes.”

“She could get in trouble,” I grumble.

“Which is why I plan on keeping it a secret. Something you should be familiar with.”

My stomach sours. “If you knew, then why did you bring up the Pressed Petal tonight?”

“Because it’s happening, whether it be on Lavender Lane or somewhere else in town.”

Emotion clogs my throat.

She continues, “But that’s not important right now. Your relationship with Lorenzo is.”

If only she knew the two issues go hand in hand. I’m tempted to admit the truth, especially now that our mom told her about the letter, but I can’t until I speak to Lorenzo. Our situation requires some level of trust, and this is an opportunity for me not to betray his.

Even though he totally deserves it.

She rubs her temple. “I’m still having a hard time believing it.”

Same.“I wanted to tell you. I really did.” I’d been dying to talk to Dahlia about the Eros app and who I met, but I always found the perfect excuse not to.

First she was dealing with her own breakup, so it felt selfish to talk about a guy I was interested in. Part of me was nervous too, which was clearly justified given how Lorenzo broke things off. And then there was Richard, who made everything ten times worse.

After all that, I was too ashamed to talk about any of it, including how much I disliked myself.

“How long has this been going on?” she asks.

“Almost a year.” I sink deeper into the seat.

“A year?” She groans. “God, Lily.”

“I’m sorry.”For not telling you the truth then and for lying to you now.