Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)(11)

Julian scowls at the visible sign of her unhappiness. “I didn’t know he was bothering you, but I’ll talk to him.”

“He’s not bothering me, and no, don’t you dare make a big deal out of nothing.” My cheeks feel hot.

The sheriff and the secretary working the front desk pretend to be busy, but I catch them stealing glances.

“Why is your face turning pink?” Dahlia asks me point-blank.

“Because you’re asking me a bunch of questions.”

She grabs my arm and pulls me toward the front door while Julian says, “I’ll get back to you on filing the report.”

“No, he won’t,” I call out before I’m dragged outside.

Dahlia’s nails dig into the flesh of my arm until we’re standing by Julian’s truck. “Okay. Spill. What’s going on between you and Lorenzo?”

I look at her with raised brows. “There’s nothing to spill.”

“You’re hiding something.” She crosses her arms.

I do the same. “I’m not.” Outside of keeping our situationship a secret, that is.

“Then why can’t I say Lorenzo’s name without you turning two shades pinker?”

“It’s nerves.”

“Since when do you get nervous?”

I shrug.

“Do you like him?” she asks without any prelude.

“No.” I sound genuine, but my incriminating face doesn’t help matters.

“Hm,” she says unconvincingly. “Does he like you?”

I can’t help laughing at the absurd question. “Isn’t that the million-dollar question.”

Her brows hike toward her hairline. “What if that’s why he wanted to fix your car?”

I shake my head, not trusting my voice. I never told my sister about Lorenzo and the dating app, and I don’t intend to share our story now, especially not when she is this concerned about him liking me.

Imagine how she’d react if she learned I like him back.

Liked. You liked him back.

I bite down on my tongue.

Julian steps out of the station with a scowl directed straight at me. He stays rooted in place, giving Dahlia and me space to finish our conversation.

I look back at my sister. “Can you go calm your boyfriend down before he strains a neck muscle or something?”

She doesn’t move from her spot. “He can wait.”

Great.

“If you’re interested in Lorenzo, you can tell me. I won’t judge you.”

Consider me surprised. “Really?”

“Of course. I want you to be happy.”

“Even if I’m happy with Lorenzo?”

She doesn’t look too excited when she nods, but maybe her strained expression has more to do with Julian drilling a hole into the sides of our faces.

“Don’t worry.” I spare her from answering my question. “I don’t want anything to do with him.”

She exhales. “Thank God. That would’ve been complicated.” Tell me about it. “You know how Julian feels about him.”

I force a laugh. “Isn’t it kind of silly for Julian to still be upset with Lorenzo? All he wanted to do was buy a few properties your boyfriend was interested in.”

“I think Lorenzo also beat him in an elementary school spelling bee once.” She chuckles to herself.

“They weren’t even in the same grade, so it wasn’t a fair fight.”

“Okay, you’re right. That one is ridiculous.”

“Thank you.”

“But what about Lorenzo being involved in the mafia?”

“That’s a dumb rumor the Ludlow family made up because they want to scare people into voting for Trevor instead of him.”

My sister’s mouth falls open.

“What?” I ask.

“For someone who claims they aren’t interested, you are quick to defend Lorenzo.”

“I dislike the Ludlows for lying. That’s all.”

“Fair enough.”

“Are you done interrogating me now?”

She clears her throat. “Perhaps I came off a bit…strong before—”

I cut her off with a sharp look.

She laughs. “Okay, I gave you the third degree. But I was taken aback. Lorenzo isn’t known for being sweet, so I was worried he had some ulterior motive or something.”

“Oh, I’m sure he did.” Lorenzo wouldn’t help me unless it benefited him somehow.

“I only ask that you be careful. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt by someone like him.”

“It’s sweet of you to care, but your worries are unwarranted. I’ve got it all covered.”

Lorenzo might’ve hurt me once, but I’ll never give him an opportunity to do it twice.

I’m sure of it.




Julian drops me off at home before taking Dahlia out for dinner, so I switch into my PJs and heat up some leftovers. While the food is in the microwave, I finally work up the courage to text Lorenzo.


ME

Why did you take my car to the shop?

He doesn’t answer me, so I distract myself with eating dinner. My mom isn’t back from her Bible study group yet, so I keep myself occupied with my phone while I wait for his reply.