Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)(102)

His random question makes me pause. “Yes, but it was more about Lorenzo and his connection to local businesses.”

“What if the piece isn’t only about that? What if Lorenzo opens up about his past and how he ended up here again?”

“I don’t know. He’s private about all that. Plus he strongly dislikes reporters.” Not to mention I don’t even know Lorenzo’s true reason for returning to Lake Wisteria, so how can I ask him to share it with the town?

“Maybe that’s part of his problem. People feel like they know the Ludlows, so they’re more likely to trust them, while Lorenzo is still this enigma.”

I bite down on my cheek. “I guess anything is worth a try at this point.”

Everything except our relationship, that is.

At least according to Lorenzo.




I hit peak pettiness when I drive my old car over to the assisted-living center the next morning, and the downgrade from my luxury vehicle is worth the look of pure outrage on Lorenzo’s face when I pull into the lot.

He seems to forget we aren’t alone as he storms over to my car. I tilt my head toward the group of animal shelter volunteers parking close by, and he self-corrects his scowl into a smile.

“Good morning, baby,” I say in a lighthearted tone that doesn’t match the heaviness in my chest.

He gives me space to exit the car before pinning me against the door. “Did something happen to your other car, amore mio?”

I hit him with my most radiant smile. “It wasn’t working.”

“I’ll text Manny and ask him to go check on it.” He pulls out his phone and shoots off the text.

Shit.

Lorenzo looks up from the screen and zones in on my incriminating face. “What did you do?”

“Nothing,” I say all too quickly.

He grabs the keys straight from my hand and pockets them.

“Hey! Give those back.”

“Why? You won’t be needing them anymore once Manny fixes your car.”

“Still. You can’t steal my keys.” I reach inside his pocket, only to have him snatch my hand and lock our fingers together.

“Everyone come gather around!” Nura calls out.

“You can let go of my hand now.” I keep my voice low.

“I could,” he says, like that answers everything.

I can’t let my true feelings show, so I put on a smile for the other volunteers forming a circle around Nura. It’s difficult to ignore the little jolt in my chest when Lorenzo’s hand tightens around mine, but I do my best to remember that it’s all for show.

It has to be.

I remind myself of my purpose as Lorenzo and I are paired off with a dog and given our schedule for the day. We are assigned ten different people to visit, and our first two happen to be one of the town’s oldest couples: Joanne and Lenny.

Joanne was Lake Wisteria’s first-ever Strawberry Sweetheart—a title my sister also gained during the town’s beauty pageant—so she is pretty well-known.

Lenny, on the other hand, is a grump who only softens for his one true love, which is why the frown on his face disappears as soon as Joanne smiles.

“Look at that dog, Lenny!” Joanne yanks on her husband’s arm.

“I’m going deaf, not blind, woman.” Lenny pretends to be miffed, but there is a sparkle in his eyes as he checks out the happy look on his wife’s face.

Lorenzo and I shut the door to their one-bedroom apartment and take a few steps inside.

“It’s so nice to have visitors,” Joanne says.

Lenny’s eyes drift toward the framed American flag hanging on the wall. Their only son passed before I was born, but his memory still lives on in their hearts.

“We thought you could use some company. This sweet girl’s name is Angel.” I point at the German Shepherd who has yet to be adopted after three months at the shelter.

“She doesn’t look like an Angel to me.” Lenny’s nose scrunches.

“The same could be said for our pit bull, Daisy.”

I laugh, only to regret it as soon as Lorenzo smiles at me.

Joanne beckons us forward. “Let me see her.”

Lorenzo walks toward her, keeping the leash wrapped tightly around his wrist in case Angel thinks it’s a good idea to knock Joanne and her walker over.

Joanne squints at Lorenzo. “Wait a minute. You’re that guy on the TV.”

Lenny squints. “Who?”

“He’s running for mayor,” she clarifies.

His gaze flickers over Lorenzo’s dark hair. “You don’t look like a Ludlow.”

“Because I’m not.” His jaw clenches.

“Thank God. The oldest one is a real twat. He used to run over my flower beds all the time, so I ended up slashing his tires once.”

Lorenzo laughs, and the sound makes my chest twinge.

How am I going to survive another two months of this? I ask myself, fighting the urge to distance myself from Lorenzo and the uncontrollable responses he draws from me.

“And who are you?” Joanne asks me while Angel licks her hand.

“Lily. His fiancée.”

“Oh!” Her entire face lights up. “You two will make the most beautiful babies.”

Lorenzo wheezes, and my mouth falls open while Lenny looks like this is a typical Saturday.