Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)(109)

The reporter writes down a few more notes before asking, “Is that why you sold your Vittori Holdings shares, or were there other factors at play?”

“Yes to both of your questions. No one wakes up one day and leaves a billion-dollar company without justifiable cause, so my decision was a long time coming, and my uncle’s choice to tear down my father’s legacy was the final straw. All those rumors about me selling my shares because the investors weren’t happy with me were false. The company’s value didn’t tank solely because of business choices I played a part in making, although people were quick to make me the scapegoat.

“Long story short: My values didn’t align with that of the company’s CEO, who unfortunately is my uncle. Of course he took my departure personally. He expected me to fall in line with the other board members, but I refused to be part of a company that prioritizes greed over morals. I’d rather stay true to myself than become a sellout, so I left.”

Lily’s eyes soften at the corners. I wish I could read her thoughts, if only to know what brought out that look from her.

Nicole’s pen flies across her notepad. “It’s a different kind of loyalty.”

“Exactly,” I reply.

Trevor let the town assume I wasn’t loyal, and I’m correcting the narrative. By the time Nicole is done, he will look like the ass while I keep coming out on top, hopefully with Lily by my side.

Nicole glances up. “If you don’t mind me asking, what brought your parents to Lake Wisteria originally?”

I explain my mom’s childhood briefly and my parents meeting in Vegas before saying, “After my parents got married, my mom wanted to leave Vegas, and since my dad’s biggest priority was to make her happy, they ended up moving.”

She nods. “And then you followed in their footsteps.”

“It felt like the right path to take.”

“Imagine if you hadn’t.” She glances back and forth between Lily and me.

“I don’t like to think about it.” I kiss the back of Lily’s hand, not for show but for comfort.

Nicole raises her brow. “I’m curious—you could’ve moved anywhere in the world after selling your Vittori Holdings shares, but you chose to come back here. Why is that?”

“There was something about Lake Wisteria that felt…right. So, I took a chance and moved back, and soon enough, it started to feel like home. Not only because of the town and the people in it but because of one specific person.”

I look at Lily while I say the last part so she knows I’m speaking to her as her boyfriend rather than a fake fiancé. “Lily showed me what my life could look like, and it’s that vision that keeps me motivated. It holds me accountable and pushes me to want the best for this town, both for her and the future family we want to raise here.”

“That’s beautiful.” Nicole clears her throat, but I don’t take my eyes off Lily.

I watch the way her eyes water as what I said sinks in, and I know that I can’t go another day without telling her how I feel because doing so in front of strangers feels wrong.

She deserves all my words, even the ones she doesn’t want to hear, and tonight she’s going to hear them. Whether she decides to reciprocate them is up to her.




“I’m proud of you for meeting with the reporter,” Lily says once I return to the living room after seeing Nicole out.

“Really?”

She nods. “I know it was the last thing you wanted to do, but I think it’ll be good for the campaign.”

I take a seat beside her. Before she can protest, I pull her in before calling Daisy to take a seat on her other side.

She might let out a huff of disapproval, but the way she sinks into my side is promising.

I kiss the top of her head because I can’t resist. “Thank you. For all you’re doing to help me win. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

She pulls back all too soon, her face going blank. “We all benefit if you do.”

“Yeah, that’s true, but I like to think you also do it because you like me.”

“So?”

“So, it means all that much more to me.”

“Lorenzo…” she warns, but against what, I’m not entirely sure.

“Do you still like me?” I ask.

“I thought you didn’t like asking questions you already know the answer to.”

“I need to hear it,” I answer honestly.

“Why?”

“Because I’m losing my mind without you.”

“I’m right here.”

“Yes, but it’s not the same.” The knot in my stomach tightens. “I miss you.” I whisper it like a confession. “I miss you so damn much, Lily, and I didn’t think I was capable of missing someone this badly.”

“How is that even possible? I’ve seen you almost every day these last three weeks.” There is a hint of disbelief to her tone.

“Yeah, but things between us are not the same.”

She exhales slowly through her nose. “What did you expect would happen after the debate? Did you expect me to keep putting my heart on the line for someone who isn’t willing to do the same?”

“No, of course not. But I didn’t know how difficult it would be to watch you pull away.”