Page 15 of The Rented Bride

Cassie blinked. “Give me a break. You looked like hired help.”

His gaze bore into her. “That was your assumption. In my experience, you learn more about a person by remaining silent.”

Ire shot to the surface. “I arrive to plan your party, to salvage this party at the last minute, which I have done. Yet in the two days I’ve been here you failed to introduce yourself. Instead, you let me believe you were a deliveryman, then a waiter, and now you expect that I should somehow deduce you were the man who hired me?”

Something flickered in his eyes—there, she had him. He knew she was right.

“Maybe the mistake was mine,” he said.

“Maybe? You aren’t supposed to be mingling with the help. Unless perhaps you enjoy serving your own guests.”

“Enough. I didn’t wait on them. I set the tray on the bar,” he said and a small smile curled the left side of his lips.

Cassie shook her head. “By all that is unholy,” she whispered.

His smile turned to a hard line. “What does that mean?”

“You’re an ass.”

“Excuse me?”

“You just fired me, so you might as well know my real thoughts. Good looks don’t give you a right to manipulate people. I deal with wealthy clients every day. None have ever made me feel the way you just did. You enjoyed watching me make mistakes. Will your recommendation for Daley Enterprises include ‘laughs at no extra charge’?” she demanded.

His expression darkened. “My recommendation is more likely to include ‘aggravation at no extra charge.’”

Cassie stared, her fury warring with the dozen retorts that were struggling to let loose like stampeding cattle. “I guess that says it all. We’re done.” She whirled and strode down the hallway toward the kitchen.

“Blakely, stop her. I’ll be right back. I have some business requiring my immediate attention.”

***

Trent growled as he strode toward the ballroom. Perhaps he’d acted in haste when he’d fired her. She had been attempting to protect his home. But before he could speak with her and smooth things over, he needed to speak with Tomas. He was about to make an announcement to three hundred of his and Lindsey’s supposed closest friends and business associates. An announcement about a woman he wasn’t sure he knew at all.

If Trent needed insider answers, Tomas would have them.

Trent reached the ballroom and scanned the crowd, smiling at those who greeted him, but moving with purpose. Tomas sat across from Matt Bolten, a young up-and-coming director. He’d worked on a film with Lindsey. Trent took a deep steadying breath and tried to relax his shoulders. Was Lindsey planning another film with him, too? She had insisted he be invited.

Trent stopped beside the two men and Matt extended a hand. “Hey, good to see you, Mr. Weston. Thanks so much for the invitation.”

Trent accepted his hand and shook. “I hate to interrupt but, Tomas, can I speak with you privately?”

Tomas met his gaze and smiled. “Of course. Excuse us,” he said to Matt in his cultured Spanish accent.

“We can talk in the front parlor,” Trent said.

Tomas canted his head in acknowledgement. Trent walked near the wall as he headed for the exit.

“The party is great,” Tomas said after they’d passed a large group of guests. “Christ Trent, do you need a drink? You look like hell.”

“Thanks. I know I can always get the truth from you.” Which was why he needed him now.

“Is it your grandfather? I haven’t seen him yet.”]

Trent shook his head. “He won’t slow down.”

“Still on your ass about settling down?”

Trent’s throat tightened. “I’m doing all I can for him. It won’t be enough.”