Page 69 of Love Arranged

“I don’t think I can do this,” I blurt out as soon as he answers the phone.

“Can’t dowhat?”

“Lie to my family. My mom is upset, and my sister is pissed.”

The speaker crackles with his loud exhale. “Isn’t that something you should’ve considered last night?”

My chest puffs with my restrained breath. “Of course I did, but it isn’t so easy.”

“And how will tellingthem about our fake relationship help matters?”

“They won’t have a reason to be angry at me anymore.”

“Are you sure about that? Your mom doesn’t seem too fond of liars, and your sister would probably be upset you turned to me for help instead of her.”

“They’d understand.” I don’t sound confident, and I blame Lorenzo for planting those valid concerns in my head.

“But what if they don’t?” he asks.

“I…”Don’t know.

Lorenzo continues when I go silent. “And if you told Dahlia, would you be okay with asking her to keep it a secret from Julian? Because there is no way in hell I’m trusting him.”

I can’t ask Dahlia to hide the truth from Julian. “If he understood the circumstances?—”

Lorenzo doesn’t let me finish the thought. “Am I going to hedge my entire campaign on Julian Lopez—a man who can’t stand me? Because if word gets out, whether it be on purpose or by accident, it could ruin the entire campaign and make both of us look terrible.”

The pit in my stomach grows. “I…I get it.”

He exhales loudly. “You volunteered knowing the stakes. If you want to risk everything because you can’t handle your choice, then so be it, but give me a warning before you destroy everything I’ve worked toward.”

I fall back on my bed with an unceremoniousoomph. “You’re still giving me the option? Why?”

“Because we’re a team, whether we likeit or not. That means I have to trust that you’ll make the best choice for us, even if it feels like the wrong one for you right now.”

I hate him for making sense—but not nearly as much as I hate myself for the flutter in my stomach at him using the wordwe.

Despite my conversation with Lorenzo, I still question everything when my mom leaves the house without giving me a hug goodbye. I didn’t even find out she went to Mass until Josefina sent us a text in the Lopez-Muñoz group chat letting us know that it went on longer than usual, so Sunday lunch is going to be pushed back an hour.

I’ve never felt more disconnected from my family, and the recent Kids’ Table texts I missed adds to the growing emotional divide between us.

Rafa

I come back home and less than 24 hours later there’s already drama?

Julian

If you’re referring to Lily’s secret relationship with Lorenzo, then yes, it’s true.

Rafa

Shit.

Rafa

Does that mean we’re supposed to be nice to him now?

Julian