Love Arranged (Lakefront Billionaires, #3)

by Lauren Asher

“everyone has a heart, even if yours is a bit broken”

You should expect more from people.

Why?

Because if not, then you’ll end up with someone like me.

I’m curious how someone like you could ever feel lonely a single day in her life.

We both know you’d never willingly choose to be trapped with another human being.

True.

Or at least it was until I met you.

She was never yours to keep.

It doesn’t make sense that someone who attracts positive attention and exudes kindness with every interaction likes me.

She laughs—a sound that makes me feel closer to heaven than any religious service or gospel.

She winks, and all hell breaks loose in my stomach as—I can’t believe I’m saying this—butterflies take flight.

One kiss to remember her by, I promise myself, embracing the rush of energy coursing through my body as she single-handedly ruins every future kiss for me. She might as well be my first and my last because no one from my past compares, and there won’t be a single person who ever will.

I hope you never forgive me for hurting you,

I hope you find every reason to hate me and hold on to it,

And I hope that one day, I’ll stop hating myself for letting you go.

of dark brown eyes

Fashion is my favorite form of self-expression, and lately I want to keep that part of myself hidden away. I’m not sure for how long, but at least until I stop worrying that I’m too much. After being vulnerable with one too many assholes, I’m done wearing my heart on my sleeve—both literally and figuratively. My choice to dim my personality isn’t a confidence issue. It’s a trust one.

“You and I were never friends.”

“You hate me that much?” he

“You were too much for someone like me.”

You wanted kids, a husband, and a dog, while I only cared about myself, I want to tell her. You’d spend all your energy defending a man who your family doesn’t like and never will,

“I liked you. I really did, to the point where I was willing to look past your particular…quirks.”

“One kind act doesn’t make you a hero,” I reply with a tight smile. “So you admit I’m kind.” “Only on rare occasions when it benefits you.”

“I’m not signing an NDA, so either you trust me

to keep whatever private information you share tonight between us or I head inside and go back to ignoring your existence like you’ve done for nearly a year.” “You can’t.” I rush to get the words out. “Why not?” “Because I need you.”

“If my actions said anything, it was that I liked you too damn much, Lily. That was my problem. Never you.”

time, I thought what we had was unique. That it was real.”

“I wasn’t looking for anything real when I joined the app, but meeting you made me consider it.”

“Never thought I’d see the day where you cared about someone other than yourself.” “The secret’s out now.” “I’m sure you’ll move on soon enough.”

who in their right mind agrees to a fake relationship? Oh, right. Me.

Comforting someone else comes naturally to me, but comforting him…it feels like an instinct I hate to ignore.

I wasn’t raised to be heartless, even if that’s all he’s known for most of his life.

“Me? Pitying you? I could never.” My lips curl at the corners.

“It’s because at some point in your life, you learned to protect yourself by letting

people think the worst of you. It was probably too easy to play the part of a villain, and I bet you became so comfortable with the role, you never expected anyone to question it.”

“I don’t expect someone as defensive as you to come out and admit anything.” “I’m not defensive.” “Sure you’re not.” She laughs in a condescending way that grates on my nerves. “Do you ever get tired?” I lean away despite not having anywhere to go. “Of what?” “Pushing everyone away to keep up this false pretense. It must get pretty lonely.”

so becoming obsessed with Lily is the last thing I need. Even if she’s everything I want.

“I can’t get angry at them for something I’ve been guilty of. So let them look. Let them stare. Let them wish they were going home with the most beautiful woman in this bar—in this town—for all I care. I’ve been there. Many times, in fact, when it comes to you. So if anything, I sympathize with them because they can want you, but they’ll never truly have you.”

“It’s called caring, Lorenzo. I know it’s an unfamiliar concept to you with the way your family has acted, but it’s normal. Hell, it should be the standard, and I’m sorry people in your life made you think it wasn’t.”

One day you’ll care about someone so much, you’ll miss them as soon as they leave,

Becoming reliant on Lily feels like a fork in the

road, where one wrong step could lead me down a path of no return. A path riddled with complications, an expiration date, and, worst of all, love.

“No, obviously not, but you can talk about what the future will look like after the engagement is over with. Talk about your dreams. Talk about wanting to get married for real. Paint a picture that’s so vivid, he knows if he’s not the one making it happen, then you’ll find someone else who will.”

“Maybe I like the way your hand fits in mine.”

Make him realize what life would be like without you in it.

“I don’t think there was an exact moment in time where I realized I loved Lily, but it was more a collection of small, impactful ones. Moments where I fell in love with her genuine heart or her quick wit or the adorable tell she has where her nose wrinkles whenever she wants to be honest but worries it might hurt someone’s feelings. Not to mention she’s confident, incredibly

loyal, and so out of my league, I’m still surprised she gave me a chance.”

“You okay?” I ask innocently, batting my lashes. “Just waiting until you’re satisfied.” I look up at him with a smile. “With you, I’d be waiting forever.”

Did you expect a romantic declaration of love for a fake relationship?