Page 42 of The Rented Bride

Evie’s brow furrowed. “Really? Wow, that’s a long time. I’m surprised you could’ keep it a secret so long.” She reached across the table and plucked a mushroom from the platter of vegetables.

Cassie’s gaze shifted from Evie to James. “It’s probably because we spent most of our time in Miami. That’s where I live.”

“Where she used to live,” James corrected. “Brettonwood is home now.” He smiled.

“I love Florida,” Evie said, her voice rising with excitement. “I considered applying to the University of Florida.” She popped another mushroom into her mouth.

“Get a plate,” James scolded.

Evie rolled her eyes. “So how did you and Trent meet?”

Cassie’s pulse jumped. No, no, no!

James’ gaze turned to her. “I want to know, too. How did you and Trent meet?”

Her mind raced. She and Trent hadn’t talked about this—they hadn’t talked about anything. Had he told his grandfather some story about their first meeting?

“Trent must have told you that story. I don’t want to bore you by telling it again.”

“Well, I haven’t heard it,” Evie said.

James nodded. “Aye, lass, please humor us. If I know my grandson, there’s a tale to tell.”

She stalled with another sip of coffee, but even Annie was watching with interest. “Well, it was in Miami, of course.” Where else would it be? “He attended a party I planned.” There, that had been easy. “Of course, I thought he was attractive. But I was working. He was insistent.” She smiled, pretending she remembered the day. “He wanted my phone number. However, I don’t give my number to clients or guests of clients.” She glanced to Evie. “But you know Trent. He’s tenacious and very creative. First, he sent flowers to me at work. On the card he invited me to a gala at the SkyRise. If you haven’t been there, believe me, I was tempted. Views for forty miles in all directions.” Shut up, she ordered herself. Just shut up. She gave a nervous laugh. “I declined, of course. I had another event. We were working an outdoor auction. We weren’t hired to provide catering, and they neglected to let me know there would be no food. Trent was at the auction and when he realized my crew were hot and hungry, he brought a chef in to cook lunch for our entire crew.” Good Lord, what had gotten into her?

“Oh my god, so after that you had to go out with him,” Evie cried.

Cassie smiled and shrugged, hoping Evie would draw her own conclusions.

“That’s very romantic,” Evie said.

Romantic? She gave a mental snort. Her meeting with Trent had been anything but romantic. She’d mistaken him for a deliveryman, and he’d let her believe her mistake.

“It was sneaky, is what it was,” she said.

“What was sneaky?” Evie said, brows furrowed.

“Uh, Trent charmed my crew. Thought he’d charmed me, too. I was grateful, but I hadn’t changed my mind about dating him. I saw through his ruse.”

“Of course she did,” James said.

“I still don’t know how he found out I’d be at the auction. But I was sure he was a player.”

“See,” James said pointing to Evie. “A woman needs to know who she is and what she wants. Cassie is a very intelligent woman. She wouldn’t fall for such an obvious ploy. I’m surprised Trent didn’t know better.”

Cassie’s heart began to beat fast. “You are?”

“He should have known you wouldn’t be like other women he’s dated, blinded by his money. I know a good person when I meet her. You wouldn’t play games. You wouldn’t lie to get something from him.”

Lie was all she’d done since she’d become involved with Trent.

“So what did you do?” Evie asked.

Cassie shrugged. “I ignored him.”

Evie chuckled. “I bet you drove him crazy. Was he mad?”

Mad? Flipping him over her shoulder had made him mad. Cassie shook her head. “It made him more determined. He figured out my weakness.” What the hell was she doing? She could have stopped at ‘we met at a party.’ She was a bad liar, a very bad liar. She should stop, but her mouth kept moving. “Trent knew that as a party planner I would prize recipes. So he blackmailed me.” It was partly true. Trent had said he would forget about her flipping him over her back if she agreed to let him introduce him as his fiancée.