Page 98 of Love Arranged

“You should look for it tonight so we can match for our next date.”

“Since when are we the kind of couple who coordinates outfits?”

“Since you forgot what the colors of the rainbow looked like.” His gaze flickers down to my plain white lace dress.

My heart comes to a complete stop—a full, achy pause before it picks back up, the pace much faster than before.

I never thought Lorenzo paid close enough attention to notice the change, let alone care enough to bring it up. I’m not sure how to feel about it or the way he looks at me like I’m a mystery he wants to solve; his comment and my lack of a response adding to his collection of clues about why I changed.

“I told you the shirt would be a hit,” Manny says, breaking up our moment.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I rub my hand over Lorenzo’s bicep, drawing goose bumps.

“It was a birthday present.” Manny smiles, and I instantly like him even more.

“You’re about four months early, but thanks,” Lorenzo replies.

“I couldn’t wait.” Manny winks. “As soon as I saw it, I knew you had to have it.”

I laugh while Lorenzo grimaces.

Lorenzo waits until Manny becomes distracted with Jane again to rope his leg around the foot of my chair and drag it until there is no gap of space between us.

My heart beats harder in my chest as I’m hit with the full force of his cologne, and I’m not given any time to recuperate as he leans in and asks, “Do you think this is funny?”

“Hilarious.”

“I look ridiculous.”

I pat his chest. “I think it’s a nice change.”

He shoots me a look. “You can’t be serious.”

“No, I am.” I do a better job of keeping the amusement out of my voice. “You look less…”

“What?”

“How do I put this nicely without sounding mean?”

He leans back and crosses his arms. “I doubt you know how to be mean.”

“Dahlia would disagree with you, especially when we play Monopoly.”

He laughs. It’s strong and hearty, leaving no room for me to question whether it’s genuine or not, and it makes my heart sing.

Danger, my brain blares out, but I’m too busy smiling at Lorenzo to notice it.

My nose scrunches.

He tracks the move. “Tell me what you were thinking and don’t bother censoring yourself. I’m a big boy. I can take it.”

My gaze falls to his muscular arms becauseyes, he is.

“Lily?”

I look up to find Lorenzo’s lips curling with amusement.

“All right.” I take a deep breath. “You tend to look a little…stuffy? Or perhaps that’s not the right word.”