Page 147 of Love Arranged
I escape into the kitchen, but the distance doesn’t stop me from hearing everyone’s low murmurs, so I head outside. Fresh air doesn’t help as much as I’d like, and I end up fighting to get enough oxygen into my lungs.
When I’m this overwhelmed, I can’t keep up appearances, so it’s in my best interest to leave.
But before I can get into my car, Lily’s voice stops me.
“Hey.”
I resist the urge to lean my head against the window. “Hi.”
I don’t turn to look at her because then she’ll know I’m not okay, and something about Lily watching me struggle with spending time with her family, which is something that clearly makes her happy and is important to her…
It makes me feel like I don’t fit in her life the way I should.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“Something came up.”
“What?”
“Lily.”
“Is everything okay?” She touches my shoulder softly, willing me to look at her. “You seemed fine, but then…”
With a deep breath, I face her. “No, it’s not.” The ugly truth spills from my mouth.
Her soft gaze flickers over my face before it falls to my hand clutching the car door handle like a lifeline. “All right. No worries.”
I manage to keep my shoulders from slumping. “Thank you for understanding.”
She cracks a smile, and it loosens the knot in my chest. “Do you care if I join you?”
I’m surprised after our conversation by the fountain, but I’ll take her olive branch with open arms. “You want to come?”
“Yeah. You look like you could use a friend.”
I let that one slide while promising to make my intentions very clear today.
“I’d like that,amore mio.”
She might be upset with me still, but the glimmer in her eyes is promising. “Let me run inside and grab my purse.” She rushes up the driveway. “Don’t leave without me,” she throws out from over her shoulder.
I don’t think I could, not unless someone physically removed me.
The grief I felt earlier is still heavy in my chest, but it feels slightly more bearable, and it has everything to do with the woman who always reminds me that I’m not alone, even in some of my darkest moments.
I never understood why my father gave up his entire life for my mother, but right now, I can see it clearly. Because when you find the one person in the world whoseesyou—who takes the time to collect every broken piece of your spirit and helps you put it back together—you don’t let them go.
I made that mistake once, but I won’t repeat it again.
That much I can promise.
39
LILY
“Do you mind if we pass by the cemetery?” Lorenzo asks as we drive away from the house.
“Um…no. Of course not.” My palms start to sweat because the last time I went there was when we buried my dad. But for Lorenzo, I’m willing to put the memories aside and support him however he needs, even if it means doing something I usually avoid.
