Page 52 of Lorenzo & Lily

“The release will be fairly straightforward and focus on Liliana. The press always asks follow up questions, and through subsequent articles over the next few weeks we’ll make the past known, which will eventually lead me to announce my mental health initiative.”

His breathing was heavy on the other end; hers was, too. Fighting was natural. It was human. However, she didn’t want Liliana to experience her parents fighting, not yet, not when everything was new and unsettled.

“The most important thing to me right now is keeping you both safe.”

“Lorenzo–”

“We’ve both got a busy day ahead of us. I apologize for any inconvenience the press release will cause, but I won’t change it. I’ll forward you a copy for your records.”

“Lorenzo–”

“See you soon.” He hung up without saying goodbye.

Lily had been right. It wasn’t fair to put them forth as a fake couple, even if he wanted to be a couple in real life, and even if she wanted that, too. Though they’d just fought, she still wanted to give him a chance, give them a chance. She’d wanted him for five years; one fight wouldn’t change that, not for her. But would it change things for him?

He had been right, too. She’d seen her own parents manage their public persona during and after the scandal. There was never just one press release or one article; there was always a slew of them, carefully timed, each revealing a little more. Being away from that life for so long, it had been far too easy to forget things like that. In the heat of the fight, it was far too hard to remember.

She bit her lip as a sinking feeling dug a hole into the pit of her stomach. He was trying to make the best of a tough situation, a situation that she had caused, to some extent. It was true someone forced them apart – and she knew she’d face that person again soon after the news broke – but she had made the decision to break up with Lorenzo to save herself from jail, and to save her family from further scandal.

How many times had she struggled with that decision? How many times, in the dark, long nights, had she wished she lay in his arms again?

She let out a shuddered sigh and buried her head in her hands. What a mess she’d made of things. Again.

“Mama?”

Her head shot up to see Liliana in the doorway rubbing her eyes. “Come here, honey. Snuggle with Mama for a minute.”

Liliana walked slowly to the bed. The only time she didn’t run at warp speed was first thing in the morning. She pulled her into the bed and cuddled with her. “Did you have sweet dreams last night?”

“Yes. I dreamed we were in a pretty castle. Do you think Papa’s castle is pretty inside?”

“Almost all castles are pretty. Are you happy about the move? A lot of things will be different from here on out.”

“Will you be there?”

She gave her a squeeze. “I’m your Mama. I’ll always be there for you.”

“Then it’s okay.”

She gave her a kiss on the head. “Your Papa will always be there for you, too, now.”

Liliana’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Of course. He likes you a whole lot.”

“He does?”

She nodded. “In fact, he told me to give you a kiss for him when you woke up.” She kissed her temple.

Her girl giggled. “Is it nice having a Papa?”

Another reminder of the consequences of her actions. “Yes, honey, it can be. Not all Papas are nice, but yours is very nice. And he’s one of nine children. That means you have lots of aunts and uncles.”

“Can I have a sister?”

Lily stiffened. “What?”

“Now that I have a Papa, I can have a sister, too, right? Julia at school said the Mama and Papa make babies. So you and Papa can make a baby.”

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