Page 76 of The Rented Bride

“Cassie?”

Cassie snapped her head up. Sophia stood in the doorway.

“Come on, Cassie. Everyone is having dessert.”

Cassie jumped to her feet and stuffed her phone into her back pocket as she hurried across the yard.

“Everything all right?” Sophia asked as Cassie entered the mudroom. They entered the kitchen.

“Yes,” Cassie said. “Just business.”

“The business you have coming up this weekend?” Sophia asked.

Cassie shot her a sidelong glance. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re nosy?”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve told me. But it doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

“You know I’m part owner of Daley Enterprises now. I’m never not going to be busy.”

They reached the dining room. Cassie took her place at the table. Antonio jumped to his feet and held her chair for her. Cassie was sure she heard muffled laughter from Sophia and even Mia. Cassie nodded thanks to Antonio as he sat down, then she picked up her spook and dug into the zabaglione that had been sat at her place on the table. She closed her eyes and savored the smooth richness.

“No one makes zabaglione like you, Maria,” Sophia’s fiancé Brandon said.

“It really is the best, Ma,” Danny said.

“Very good,” Antonio said.

Cassie took another bite, then jumped when her phone rang. The table quieted and everyone looked in her direction.

“Cassandra, you just sat down. Turn off your phone,” her mother ordered.

“I have clients.” She pulled the phone from her back pocket.

“James again?” Mia took a bite of her dessert.

No, not James. This time it was Trent’s number.

“Who is this James?” Danny asked.

“He sounded older, and he had a sexy accent.” Mia smiled around her spoon as she took another bite.

“He’s from Scotland and he does have an accent,” Cassie said. “He’s also seventy-four years old. I told you, he’s a client.” Her phone rang a third time.

How could she excuse herself a second time without raising suspicion? Normally she really would go into the bedroom or study, but she just couldn’t chance anyone overhearing a conversation with Trent.

What if something was wrong? She’d just spoken with James.

The phone rang again.

“Answer it for God’s sake,” Bobby said.

“I’ll talk in the other room.” Cassie stood and hurried from the dining room. She tapped the screen, then pressed the phone to her ear as she continued through the living room and into the study.

“Hello,” she said as she closed the study door.

“It’s Trent. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

“Not at all. Is everything okay?”