Page 185 of Love Arranged
He says yes, so Nicole is going to meet us at Lorenzo’s place in an hour for the interview.
I’m in the middle of getting ready for it when my sister walks into my room and shuts the door. She takes a seat on my bed, and I turn away from my vanity so I can get a good look at her.
“What’s up?” I put down my eyeshadow palette.
“Why isn’t Lorenzo coming to Sunday lunch tomorrow?”
“He’s busy.”
“Doing what?”
I shrug. “Campaign stuff.”
Her head tilts curiously. “He wasn’t able to make it last week either…or the week before that.”
“He’s had to focus on the campaign after everything with the debate. I’m sure his schedule will free up after the election in five weeks.”
She tilts her head. “Is everything okay?”
I don’t break eye contact, although it’s difficult to maintain my sister’s stare with how closely she is looking at me. “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because Rose & Thorn could be torn down and you’d have to restart somewhere else?”
“Right. Obviously I’m not okay about that,” I answer,suddenly feeling an onslaught of guilt for not thinking about my shop. With everything going on between Lorenzo and me, it didn’t feel like much of a priority.
“See! That’s the look right there.”
My brows rise. “What look?”
“Like someone kicked Daisy.”
The reminder of my dog sends another spike of heat through my chest.
“And that!”
I can no longer hold her gaze. “You’re the one who brought up Rose & Thorn.”
“Only because youforgot.”
My gaze snaps back to her face. “I didn’t forget.” I’ve been…distracted.
“Maybe not entirely, but I know you.” A line of worry forms between her brows. “I didn’t pay close enough attention to the signs before, but I’m wide awake now, and I won’t accept you telling me you’re fine when clearly you’re not.”
I’m overwhelmed by emotion, and I don’t do a good job hiding it.
She walks over to me and leans against my vanity. “What’s going on?”
My eyes water because how do I explain to my sister the mess I’ve made of my life?
“I can’t tell you.” My voice cracks. I want to—I really do, ever since the very first night when Lorenzo and I committed to the plan.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re going to get mad at me.” I fidget with aloose thread on my dress—a cute pink one that makes me feel confident even on the lowest of days.
“I won’t.”
“You say thatnow…”
