Page 95 of Broken Deal

Lorenzo is the man you don’t believe exists until you meet him.

“He’s a wonderful man. Perfect, even. I just don’t think—” I take a deep breath, gulping down the ball of emotion that’s finding its way up. “It doesn’t matter, Mom, okay? Please drop it.”

She pulls me into an embrace, kissing the top of my head. “You deserve all he can offer you and more, honey. You deserve to be loved. Promise me you’ll open yourself to it.”

“I can’t?—”

She interrupts. “Promise me, Sophia.”

I let out a long, tired sigh. “I promise,” I murmur.

But Idon’t mean it.

For our last day, Lorenzo decided to barbecue some steaks on the back patio. We even invited Bailey, per Mom’s request. I’m glad to know she has someone she can rely on when I’m not here. It gives me peace to know I made the right decision to give her another chance.

“We forgot the sour cream for the mashed potatoes!” Mom exclaims, walking out on the patio.

As Lorenzo is flipping the steaks, he looks over his shoulder. “I can go get it when I’m done here.”

Mom waves her hand dismissively. “Bailey can take me. You two love birds can stay here. Right, Bailey?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.

Bailey nods. “Of course.”

“Mom, you don’t have to. I can go.”

She rolls her eyes, exasperated. “No. I enjoy going to the grocery store. We’ll be back.” She turns around with Bailey following after her before I can voice my complaints.

I approach Lorenzo and wrap my arms around him from behind. With him, I always crave his touch. It comes naturally to me. A million butterflies always take charge when I hug him and touch him, and I love every second of it.

He turns around, wrapping his arms around my waist and dropping a soft kiss on my lips. “Hi,Blue.”

I smile brightly, lifting my chin so I can look at him. “Hi,Ace.”

My eyes find his, and I get lost in those beautiful light-brown irises that are looking at me with so much adoration. And while it should make me happy, it only breaks my heart instead. We’re more than halfway through the summer, and I’m still not ready to let go.

The sound of tires against gravel in front of the house catches my attention, taking me out of my trance. No way they’re already back.

“Didn’t they just leave?” Lorenzo asks, pulling the thought out of my brain.

I frown. “Yeah, let me go check. Maybe they forgot something.”

I open the back door of the house and leave it open then walk to the front porch. My bloodboilswhen I see who it is.

Amelia.And following her like a lost puppy is Miles.

I stride toward them furiously. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Amelia rolls her eyes like she has every right to be annoyed. “I’m really getting sick and tired of you acting like you own the world.”

I laugh humorlessly. “Are you describing yourself? Take a look in the mirror. I think you’ve done enough, and I need you to leave before Mom returns.”

“I’m not leaving. I have every right to talk to my mother.” She squares her shoulders. “I need help, and you’ve made it crystal clear you’re not willing to give it.”

Oh, for the love of fucking God.

“You have no right to shit!” I yell, the emotions I’ve been bottling for years bubbling up. There’s no taming this beast any longer. I’ve done it for long enough. “All you do is take and destroy, just like Dad!”

“Oh, and you’re so much better with your big city job and your big billionaire cityboyfriend?” she retorts, crossing her arms. “You’re anobody, Sophia. An unloved, attention whore that loves to control others. He’ll get tired of you in no time. You’re incapable of being loved, I think we’ve proven that already.”

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