Page 93 of Broken Deal

I purse my lips, nodding. I had a serious conversation with Bailey. She, of course, kept apologizing profusely. Ultimately, I let her stay because Mom needs routinemore than anything. But she knows not to lie to me again. We like her a lot, but when it comes to Mom, I have to protect her and won’t let anyone get in the way of that.

This is our last day here, and I’ve been hanging out with Mom, keeping work and everything that has been happening with Lorenzo in the back of my mind. Max has been flooding my email inbox, nagging me about the work he keeps throwing my way like I’m his personal dog, at his beck and call when he wants it. I haven’t had time to think much, but something has to change. I can’t keep living like this.

I woke up today to the sound of the lawn mower, and when I looked out the window, it was Lorenzo taking care of the overgrown lawn I’ve been putting off since it’s hard to find someone cheap. I’m ashamed to admit it brought tears to my eyes when I walked into the bathroom to get ready for the day. He’s just so…sweet. And does everything without being asked. He’s such a protector and a giver. He shows the way he cares through actions, not words. This doesn’t help my fragile heart, which already feels too much for the man. It’s going to be so much harder to let him go when the time comes. The logical thing to do is break it off now, but I selfishly want to keep this going until we go to Las Vegas, like we agreed. I’m all too aware this is going to destroy my heart, but I want to embrace him and everything he has to offer for a little while longer. Let myself live in a fairytale for once.

The screen door of the entrance opens, and Lorenzo walks in with his face flushed and hair sticking to his forehead, his tank top hugging every hard muscle that’s dripping with sweat. He brushes his hair away from his face, the movement flexing his bicep, and I have to do everything in my power to not lick my lips eagerly at the sight of him. He’s all man and muscle. Something you would never thinkpossible, since he’s always in suits and meetings. The man puts Adonis to shame; that’s the only way to describe how perfectly sculpted he is.

A boyish smile plays on his lips. “The lawn is all ready, Charlotte.”

Mom strides over and gives his cheek a couple of light pats. “You’re a keeper. My daughter is very lucky.”

“Mom,” I warn, heat rising on my cheeks.

“I’m going to get you guys some lemonade,” Mom quips, completely ignoring me, which wins her a glare from me and a laugh from Lorenzo.

When she’s out of earshot, I close the distance between us and hug him even though he’s all sweaty. I honestly couldn’t care less. “You didn’t have to do this. Thank you.”

He hugs me back, kissing the top of my head. “No need to thank me. I already reached out to a lawn company and scheduled them to come weekly.”

My shoulders tense, and I take a step back, shaking my head. “I can’t afford that, Lorenzo.”

He rolls his eyes. “Good thing you’re not paying for it, then.”

I gape at him in disbelief. “Lorenzo, no. Are you crazy?”

His knuckles brush my jawline, a trace of goosebumps taking over at the simple touch. “I want to help in any way I can. And I’m not asking you, I’m telling you this is what I’m going to do.” He winks before dropping a quick kiss on my lips.

God, this man. What did I do to deserve to be treated like this? This has me holding back another set of tears.

Mom walks out of the kitchen with some cups and a pitcher of her famous homemade lemonade. “I hope you guys are thirsty.”

“For your lemonade? Always,” I reply, pushing onceagain all the emotions that want to find their way out of me and grab a cup instead, serving some of the delicious, citrusy juice and handing it to Lorenzo. “Get ready to try the best lemonade you willeverhave.”

Lorenzo smirks, taking the cup from my hand and taking a sip. His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Wow, yeah. This is amazing. Charlotte, I need the recipe for the restaurant I’m opening in Panamá. This would go so well with the menu.”

Mom smiles, her eyes shining with excitement. “Anything for you, dear.”

Even though they only met a few days ago, their relationship has quickly flourished. Mom is infatuated with Lorenzo. They love to talk about food, cook together, and gang up on me every chance they get. Surprisingly, Lorenzo has been in his element. He looks…happy. Rested. Like he belongs here with us. These past few days, I’ve been living in a daydream where Lorenzo and I make it work and end up together, and Mom lives close to us and we go have dinner with her on Sundays, and they cook together, always talking about food and joking. Maybe even have the rest of the group join us. And eventually, when we start having kids, we can make it a whole thing. Of course, I know these are silly wishes. But it’s nice to dream sometimes, it feeds the soul.

“I’m going to take a shower, because the last thing I want to do is stink up the place,” he says, dropping the cup on the coffee table and then kissing me on the cheek before walking to the room.

Mom sighs. “I love him.”

I purse my lips. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”

She looks at me for a moment, her eyes studying me. “We need to talk.”

Oh, boy.

“About what?” I ask casually, grabbing a cup of lemonade for myself and sitting back on the couch.

“I need you to tell me what happened with Miles. Because whatever happened with him has you in this sort of funk I don’t understand. I need you to stop hiding the truth from me,” she says sternly, using the authoritative voice she used to use when I was a kid.

“Nothing much to say. We didn’t work out,” I mumble.

“Sophia Annette Evans,” she chastises, popping her hip and resting a hand on it. “Then why did he show up here all drunk, begging for Amelia to take him back?” She raises an eyebrow. “I need you to stop treating me like a baby. I understand you’re overprotective and want to make sure I’m okay, but I am your mother. I deserve to know what’s happening in your life.”

I laugh humorlessly, shaking my head and avoiding her gaze. “Drop it, Mom.”

---