Page 93 of The Rented Bride

“You didn’t give me a chance to finish,” Sophia cut in. “I already told Leonard to send him up.”

The doorbell rang. Bobby and Mia headed for the door.

“Stop,” her mother ordered.

Bobby and Mia halted. She passed them, but they followed the last few steps to the door. Cassie stood next to Sophia a few paces inside the room. She said a silent prayer for the floor to open up and swallow her. Finally, her mother opened the door. Trent stood at the threshold dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers.

“Damn,” Sophia said under her breath.

Cassie snapped her gaze to her cousin.

“Excuse the unexpected visit,” he said, “but I need to speak with Cassie.”

His eyes shifted past her family to her, and the same uncertainty she’d experienced earlier churned her gut.

“You aren’t interrupting anything,” her mother said, and stepped out of the way. “I’m Maria, Cassie’s mother. Please, come in.”

Trent entered and strode toward Cassie. She noticed the tired look in his eyes. He couldn’t be any happier than she was about all the media attention.

He stopped in front of her. “I called, but you didn’t pick up,” he said.

“I saw the article in After Hours.” Cassie said.

His brow furrowed. “What article?”

“Sit down,” Cassie’s mother said. “So we can talk.”

He smiled at her. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t have time to socialize.” His gaze shifted back to Cassie. “It’s grandfather.”