Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)(128)

I brush a finger across the leather-bound book, tracing the embossed letters that spell out Vittori Recipes.

Lily reaches for my hand, which I hadn’t noticed was slightly trembling. “I thought…since your parents had a book…maybe we could start our own.”

I want to say thank you, but it doesn’t feel like enough.

Not when she flips it open to the first page, where she included a photo of us attending the cooking class. It’s different from the framed one I keep in the entryway. That one was more posed, while this one was taken while I was brushing flour from Lily’s face.

If anyone were to come across the photo, they could tell instantly that we are in love. It’s something about our eyes and the way we are staring deeply at each other.

Lily flips to the next page, revealing our very first recipe from the cooking class we attended. She included a few photos of our date, but one of me feeding her a spoonful of panna cotta might be my new favorite.

I look up to find her eyes on me rather than the book.

“I love it.”

Her smile widens. “Yeah?”

I place it on the coffee table and pull her into my arms. “It might be the best present ever.”

“Hold on to that thought.” She passes me the same gift bag again.

I dig inside and pull out a pair of keys.

“You got me a car?”

She breaks out into laughter. “No. Sorry to disappoint, but I did get you a car for the day.”

“Which one is it?” I’ve never sounded so damn giddy.

“So, I was able to track down someone with a Rolls-Royce—”

“Dawn Drophead?” My pitch rises.

She nods.

I blink twice. I’m completely dumbstruck because how in the hell did Lily ever find one of those? There are only three available in the US right now, none of which are in Lake Wisteria.

“Yes.” Her eyes brighten as they flicker over my face. “I remember you mentioned it once.”

“What organ did you have to sell to borrow it?”

“None, although I was willing to consider that option.”

I shoot her a glare. “Seriously. How did you get one?”

“Turns out the owners happen to be Dahlia’s clients.”

“Who?”

“Declan and Iris Kane.”

“The same ones who own the Dreamland parks?” My mouth falls open.

“Yeah. That’s who she was visiting during our trip to Chicago.”

I jump off the couch and pull her onto her feet. “Holy shit. Where is it?”

“At Declan’s brother’s house. They live not too far from here.”

I’ve stopped by Callahan Kane’s home a couple of times while canvassing, so I remember the address.

“Let’s go.” I’m so excited, I forget to put on my shoes, which makes Lily giggle.

“We have all day to enjoy it, so no rush.”

“Are you kidding? Time is of the essence.” I help her with the straps of her heels before putting on my own shoes.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Sure.” She smiles wider than ever before.

“What?” I ask.

She drops a quick kiss on my mouth. “I’m glad you like your birthday present. That’s all.”

“Like? I love it so damn much, I don’t think anything will ever beat this.”

I want to retract the comment as soon as I say it because there is one gift that Lily can give me that will top everything. We’re not there yet, and I doubt we will be for a while, but I know deep down that nothing will make me happier than a family of our own.

It would be the greatest gift of all, and one that I look forward to having should the time ever come.

Until then, whether it be helping Lily with her second business or single-handedly saving the bee population, I’ll keep making her other dreams come true. From now until forever. In this life and the next, I promise to always hold up my end of our new arrangement—our forever plan.





Saying goodbye is never easy, but it also reminds me that I created something special enough to be missed, and that in itself is something to be missed, and that in itself is something to be celebrated.

I fell in love with Lake written in the Lakefront Billionaires series, to the point where I don't want to leave. So, althouth this trilogy is complete, I have a feeling I'll be returning to this town because there is something magical about it. Some thing that feels like coming home.

I hope these books give you comfort when you need it, just like the brought me while I wrote them And, no, that process wasn't always the you make sure it is.

It's because of you that these stories exist in the first place, and it's because of you that I'll continue writing more of them.

This might be the end of the Lakefront Billionaires series, but I also see it as the beginning of a new journey. One that I hope you stick around for and one I look forward to sharing more about once the right time comes. Until the next happily ever after.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


To my team, which is made up of incredible editors, alpha and beta readers, sensitivity readers, and proofreaders—thank you for helping me with Love (Re)Arranged. You were an integral part of this process, and I’m so grateful for all your help, especially when it came down to the wire with my deadlines.