Page 210 of Love Arranged
I share my parents’ story, or more so, the tame version they told me since I was a kid. Back then I thought it was crazy, but now I see that my father’s idea had some merit.
He loved my mother, so of course he wanted to marry her so they would always be together.
“Cute,” she says after I describe their quick wedding.
“Want to keep up the family tradition?”
She giggles. “Nice try, but nope. I’ve been dreaming of my wedding for a while, and nothing you say or do will convince me otherwise.”
I maneuver my body so I’m on top and have her trapped beneath me. “Nothing at all?”
She raises a brow. “No.”
I kiss the corner of her mouth. “Don’t make me wait two years.”
“You’ll be so busy with your new job as mayor, time will fly by.”
“Being your fiancé sounds like a better job anyway.”
Her lips curl with a tease of a smile. “Be serious.”
“I am. I’ll always make time for you, no matter what.”
Her eyes glimmer like two round jewels. “Promise?”
“You have my word. You come first.Always.” I seal the vow with a kiss, and she returns it with vigor.
All thoughts of her leaving disappear, and we spend the rest of the night tangled in my sheets, right where Lily belongs.
My hand shakes as the phone vibrates against the bathroomcounter. Willow already called once, right as I was rinsing off my toothbrush, but I didn’t answer. Icouldn’t.
Just like I can’t now.
My heart beats wildly in my chest, and a sick feeling has spread through my stomach, sending acid climbing up my throat.
Lily enters the bathroom wearing one of the new dresses I bought her. “Is that Willow?”
“Yes.” I tear my eyes away from her reflection and look down at the phone.
“Do you plan on answering her?”
I nod, yet I don’t move to do so.
Lily reaches for my hand and spins me around so my butt is leaning against the counter.
“What’s up?” she asks.
“What if I lost?”
She nods. “If you did, it’s okay.”
“How can you say that with your entire business on the line?”
“Because you gave it youreverything, and that’s all that matters. I couldn’t be prouder of how hard you worked, and I’m sure everyone who knows you would agree.” She presses her hand to the side of my face, lending me some of her strength. “You should be proud of yourself, and I know if your parents were here, they’d be saying so with me.”
My vision blurs, and I shut my eyes until I’m able to formulate a response.
“I did my best,” I say, more for myself.
