Page 88 of Love Arranged

When I first met her, I knew she could ruin everything I’ve worked toward up until this point. She had this way of quieting my obsessive thoughts—of making me forget that I hate kissing or that I rarely like to drink because I don’t like losing even the slightest bit of control over myself. She had me thinking, at least for a few seconds, about a future that wasn’t only about me.

A future that seemed promising, right up until I remembered that I wouldn’t only be worrying about myself but about her too—something that didn’t end well with my parents.

I already have enough to worry about when it comes to myself, so becoming obsessed with Lily is the last thing I need.

Even if she’s everything I want.

19

LILY

Over the next week, Lorenzo and I increase our public outings. I pop into his campaign headquarters for a very public lunch, we hang out together at Last Call, and I join him at the Park Promenade one afternoon—and byjoin, I mean sat on a bench and gawked at Lorenzo while he used the park’s outdoor fitness equipment.

Shirtless, I might add.

Anddripping.

By the time he was halfway through his workout, he had formed a fan club of nannies and dog walkers, which was slightly annoying. The only way I got rid of them was by throwing my arms around Lorenzo’s half-naked, glistening body and staking my claim.

Word spreads all over town about our relationship. I’m notthe only one everyone is talking about because it turns out Rafa is dating Ellie, who gave her two weeks’ notice because she likes her boss as more than a friend.

I’ve been meaning to talk to Rafa about it, so when he asks me to help him take his new family of kittens to the vet, I agree to tag along. I’m the second-biggest animal lover in the family, so there’s nothing I’d love more.

Rafa didn’t outright admit he adopted them because of Ellie, but I connected the dots when he retold the adoption story during our drive into town. He evensmilesat one point when talking about her, and I’m overwhelmed by his happiness.

But I’m also a teeny, tiny bit sad—not for him, but for myself. Because how many years have I spent longing for a person who talks about me the same way?

I’ve been on dates. I’ve joined every matchmaking app. I’ve given men multiple chances because I wanted to be sure they weren’t the person I could see myself spending the rest of my life with.

Then I met Lorenzo, and I thought he was that person for me. I was so confident about it that Iwishedfor him to be.

Just like my dad said to.

I shove the painful memory away and focus on Rafa telling me another story about his trip. By the time we arrive at the animal clinic, the kittens are meowing like crazy, so the secretary shows us to a private room where we can let them loose while we wait for the vet.

“So, you and Lorenzo…” Rafa says as he plucks the one with the pink collar off the floor.

I reach for the kitten and place her back with her brother and sisters. “What about it?”

“How’s it going?”

I laugh. “I mean, as good as can be expected after hiding our relationship for nearly a year.”

His eyes turn to slits. I brace myself for a judgmental comment, but he surprises me by saying, “I’m sure that was hard on you.”

“Yeah…but I feel so much better now that people know.”

“I’m curious—how did you both keep it a secret for so long?” He stares at me instead of the kitten currently destroying his shoelaces with its tiny claws.

“Why are you asking?”

“Because you’re the last person anyone tells anything to.”

My mouth falls open. “That’s so uncalled for.”

He shrugs. “But true.”

“Icankeep a secret.”