Chapter 15

The engagement party was a smash for Emily and Eric based on how much everyone was enjoying themselves, but Cassandra stood off by herself in an alcove. All she wanted to do was go home, but she didn’t know how long she was required to stay. She hoped not much longer.

The strains of the string quartet filled the air. Her stomach churned. This was the song she’d heard when they registered last week. The song she’d imagined herself walking down the aisle to in the gown she’d tried on in Carmel. A lump burned in her throat.

Oh, no. She was going to cry.

Cassandra forced the image from her brain.

“What are you doing over here?” Her mother’s beaded cocktail-length dress swooshed around her legs as she walked toward Cassandra. “This party is in your honor. You should be mingling.”

Cassandra swallowed. She kept her hands clasped, so no one would notice she was no longer wearing Troy’s engagement ring. “I’ve made my rounds and said hello to everyone.”

She had and was now ready to leave.

Her mother looked around. “Where’s Troy?”

She hadn’t seen him since their talk in the cloakroom. “He’s here somewhere.”

Probably schmoozing with his firm’s partners. Okay, that wasn’t fair. He was only doing what he needed to do for his future, even if that wouldn’t include her.

“What’s wrong?” her mother asked.

Saying nothing or lying would be wrong, so Cassandra shrugged. A non-answer seemed safer than telling the truth.

“Come with me.” Her mother led her by the arm out to the balcony off the ballroom. No one else was outside. Not surprising since the temperature had dropped. A fountain was in the corner, and sconces provided soft lighting.

“You look miserable,” her mother stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

“I am.”

“Why?”

Such a simple question, but not an easy one to answer. She stared through the arched doorways to the party inside. People chatted, laughed, and drank, but Cassandra felt as if she were from another planet. The last time she’d felt this way had been…Emily and Eric’s wedding.

Cassandra blew out a breath. Might as well tell the truth. Making up stuff sure wasn’t working. “Troy and I aren’t engaged. We’ve been pretending.”

Her mom’s mouth gaped. “Why?”

There was that word again. “I couldn’t handle you and Dad meddling in my life and trying to set me up on dates. I thought having a fiancé would get you off my back. Stop your matchmaking.”

Lines creased her mother’s forehead. She started to speak but then stopped herself. “A bit extreme, don’t you think?”

“It seemed like a good idea…until I realized the stranger I’d asked to be my fiancé was in venture capital like Dad.”

“You and Troy weren’t even dating?” Her mother sounded scandalized.

“Nope.” Cassandra took another breath. “I’m sorry for lying, but I couldn’t handle the meddling.”

“Your father and I love you so much. We only wanted you to be happy.”

“I was happy.”

“You were alone.”

“By choice.” The words came out harsher than Cassandra intended, but she couldn’t help herself.

“After you and Eric decided to call off—”

“We didn’t mutually decide. I broke up with him.” The words rushed out before Cassandra could stop them. “He and Emily got together while I was still engaged to him. I knew I couldn’t marry him after I found out he was cheating on me, but he told Dad that we’d called off the wedding before I could say anything.”

Her mother swore. Something the elegant Vanessa Daniels never did. At least not in front of her daughters.

Cassandra thought saying the words would make her feel better, but her mother’s face scrunched with hurt was difficult to see.

Her mom took a breath and then another. “Why didn’t you tell us the truth?”

“I couldn’t handle everyone knowing what had really happened, so I just went along with the ‘we mutually decided’ farce to save face.”

“But later?”

“There never seemed to be a right time. You were so busy with Emily’s wedding. And we didn’t see each other that much.”

Her mother pursed her lips. “Because I was always inviting you to join us when Eric and Emily were around.”

Cassandra nodded. “I…I needed space.”

Distancing herself from her family had made the most sense. She couldn’t pretend as if everything was fine when she’d felt so raw after what happened. “I realized when I was in Carmel with Troy that I needed to say something, but then there was this party.”

“Not to mention looking at wedding dresses and registering for gifts.” Her mother studied her as if seeing her daughter for the first time. “We have been meddling.”

Cassandra didn’t trust her voice, so she nodded instead.

“This must have been so hard on you. And being Emily’s maid of honor…”

Cassandra sucked in a breath. “It’s what you and Dad wanted. Just like you felt I needed a plus one for the wedding when the last thing I needed was to go on a date with anyone.”

“So that’s the reason you said you shouldn’t bring a date so you could concentrate on your maid of honor duties.”

It wasn’t a question, but Cassandra nodded.

“I’m so sorry, sweetie.” Sincerity and love filled her mom’s voice. Regret, too. “If we’d known…”

“Now you do.”

“What about Troy? The two of you seem like such a great couple. Your father and I both think he’s perfect for you, which is why we didn’t care that things were moving so quickly.”

“We talked about dating after this fake engagement ran its course, but that isn’t going to work. I gave him back his ring a little while ago, so after tonight, we won’t have to see each other again.”

“Is that what you want?”

No. “It’s for the best.”

And if she kept telling herself that, she might come to believe it.

Cassandra’s eyes stung. She blinked. “Though Troy’s parents are going to need to be told the truth. I should be the one to talk to them since I came up with the idea of a fake fiancé and made a mess of everything.”

“What do you need me to do?” her mother asked.

“Could you please find a way for me to get out of here, so Emily doesn’t make a scene?”

“Stay here.” Her mother’s arms wrapped around Cassandra. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

Compassion filled her mother’s gaze. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Cassandra nodded. “I love you, Mom.”

Her mother smiled softly. “I love you. Be right back so we can get you home.”

♥ ♥ ♥

Troy didn’t know how long he stayed in the cloakroom, but by the time he opened the door, his hands no longer shook. He didn’t have a plan to get Cassie back, but maybe a drink would calm him so he could think of one.

As he walked to the bar, one of the partners put his hand on Troy’s shoulder.

“Here’s the man of the evening.” Russ Thayer was one of the original partners at the firm. Not as old as Dixon, but in his mid-fifties. He’d ridden the wave and watched the bubble burst in the nineties. Russ lowered his hand. “Congrats on the engagement.”

The man had barely acknowledged Troy’s existence over the past three years. “Thanks.”

“Great party.”

“Cassie’s sister, Emily, went all out.” He doubted Eric Wainwright did much other than perhaps pay for the shindig. Unless Dixon had, which wouldn’t surprise Troy.

“Looks like you’re making the most of your country charm. Your future in-laws will serve you well.”

The knot in Troy’s stomach grew, along with his unease. “I prefer to keep family separate from business.”

“Of course.” Russ’s smile didn’t waver. “But try keeping Dixon out. You’ve hit it out of the park with this alliance. I look forward to our two groups doing more together in the future.”

Country charm? Alliance?

Troy’s jaw tensed. He didn’t know what to say.

If the partners felt he’d pulled an Eric Wainwright to further his career, so would everyone else. Troy didn’t want to be that guy.

“Good to talk to you,” Russ continued. “I need to find my wife.” With that, the man wove his way through the crowd.

The guy was like Mick.

Troy’s bosses were treating his and Cassie’s engagement as nothing more than a contract to do business with the mighty Dixon Daniels. The partners didn’t care about Troy. Only about his connection to Cassie’s dad.

The meeting with Mick replayed in Troy’s head.

I knew you had ambition, but I didn’t know how badly you wanted it. I considered you our farm boy from Missouri—a worker bee. I see now I was way off base. Marrying Dixon Daniels’s little girl. I didn’t know you had it in you.

He remembered what Cassie had said.

Your boss sounds like a jerk and not someone you should be working for.

She was correct.

Nothing Troy had accomplished mattered to the people who controlled his career—his future. Without Cassie and her family, he would return to being a worker bee. Mick and the partners would likely be disappointed that Troy hadn’t calculated this.

Screw that.

And them.

Being a partner and wealthy might have been his dreams, but he needed to focus on a new dream. One that involved a pretty, smart bookstore owner who made him feel as if he could accomplish anything. He’d walked away from his college girlfriend based on what his ideal woman should be. Well, his ideal had just changed, and he wasn’t about to lose Cassie.

He bypassed the bar and found Mick instead. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

Mick sipped from a champagne flute. “Sure thing.”

“The partners’ annual retreat is tomorrow, and I want you to remove me from consideration for a partnership.”

Mick’s face dropped. “You’re going to work for Dixon.”

“No.”

Mick’s smile returned.

“But I’ll be giving my two weeks’ notice on Monday.”

His boss frowned. “Why?”

Mick’s dumbfounded tone matched the look in his eyes.

“Cassie is the only reason you’re considering me for a partnership. You admitted you saw me as a worker bee until my engagement. I do work hard. I’m proud of that, though I’ve pretty much had zero life outside of my job until I met Cassie. The truth is that connections are more important to the firm, and I don’t want her to ever believe I’m using her or her father to get ahead in my career. I hope you understand.”

“Haha. Good one.” Mick took another sip of bubbly. “You crack me up. You had me going for a second or two because I never knew you were a jokester.”

“I’m serious.” Troy’s voice remained calm.

He’d finally realized what he needed to do. Not for Cassie, but himself. He didn’t want a promotion with strings and for reasons other than he deserved one. He deserved more.

He’d paid for college himself using scholarships, jobs, and loans. Payments still had to be made, but he’d come this far on his own. He could do it.

Troy raised his chin. “I’m quitting Scorpio Partners on Monday, and I don’t want you wasting retreat time talking about me to the other partners.”

Mick’s gaze narrowed. “You’re serious.”

Troy nodded once.

“Will you sleep on this for a couple of nights?” Mick’s words came out faster than usual. “I know you’ve been working hard. Not taking your vacation days except to help your parents. And I was just kidding about the worker bee.”

Yeah, right. Just like Russ was with the country charm.

“Maybe we can work something out to benefit you and us,” Mick added.

“I’ve made up—”

“Please?”

Troy nodded again. He’d think about it, but there was no reason to change his mind. He’d made the right decision. He only hoped Cassie thought so, too.

♥ ♥ ♥

Standing at the balcony rail, Cassandra wanted to ignore the turmoil raging inside her. She was happy she’d been truthful with her mom, but Cassandra wanted the fog rolling in to dull the knife-edged pain stabbing her heart every time she thought of life without Troy.

Should she have given him a chance? Should she have been more willing to take a chance herself? The questions plagued her.

A door closed. The hair on her nape stood up. She was no longer alone. She didn’t smell her mom’s trademark perfume. Troy. It had to be him.

“Cassandra.”

She didn’t turn—she couldn’t. She clutched the rail. The only sounds were the trickling water from the fountain in the corner, Troy’s footsteps, and her pounding heart.

He stood behind her, too close for her own good. As his warm breath caressed her neck, an arm brushed hers. The brief contact sent a spark shooting through her. She stepped aside.

“Aren’t you cold out here?” he asked.

“No, I was…enjoying the view.”

He turned her around so his gaze met hers. “It’s lovely.”

The intensity of his eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Cassandra had used all her strength and courage to tell Troy she wouldn’t make him happy. That he needed to find someone else. The disappointment in his eyes had ripped her heart in half, but she was doing this for his own good. She couldn’t be the woman he wanted.

“Why are you out here alone?” he asked.

“I’m waiting for my mom, and I, uh, wanted some fresh air.”

“It’s a little stuffy in there.”

“Are you talking about the air or the stuffed shirts?” she half-joked.

“Both.”

His answer surprised her. She ignored the twinge of regret creeping up her spine. Saying goodbye to Troy McKnight was what she needed to do. He needed her to do that, too.

“There’s something I’ve been wondering,” he said.

She didn’t want to hear what he had to say. One word and she might wind up in his arms. She might forget that she wasn’t the woman for him, that he wasn’t the man for her. “What?”

He leaned against the edge of the balcony. “Are you planning on hiring more help at the bookstore?”

Troy wanted to talk about her bookstore? Right now? Puzzled, she drew her eyebrows together. “I can always use help.”

“Good.”

She wrung her hands, fighting her nervousness. “Does someone need a job?”

“Yes. Me.”

“You?” This wasn’t funny. She wet her lips. “You have a job and an offer from my father.”

“Not any longer.”

“Stop playing games, Troy.”

“This isn’t a game.” He held her hand. His warmth seeped into her skin and spread through her. “I thought about what Mick and one of the other partners said. If they can’t see the value of my work without my connection to your dad, then I’m working at the wrong place. It’s time for a career change.”

Her mouth gaped. “Have you been drinking?”

“No, but what you said to me finally makes sense. I’d rather have you than all the money in the world, so I told Mick I’ll be resigning on Monday.”

His words left her stunned. “I don’t understand. Being a partner is what you’ve always wanted. What you’ve been working for.”

“Yes, but this is the right move. I never want you to second guess why I’m with you.”

Her mouth dropped even further. “You gave up everything you wanted…your dreams…for me?”

“Not just for you. For us.”

She should be jumping for joy. Instead, guilt consumed her. “Your dream—”

“Has changed.”

“You’re sure? Because I feel awful right now.”

“Positive. I love you, Cassandra.”

She had no doubt he did. “But what if you regret—”

“I won’t regret anything as long as you’re with me.”

“I’ve been told compromise is the key to a successful relationship,” she said. “You could work for my dad.”

“Or I could work for his daughter. I like books. I’m good with numbers and always have ideas. I have several for Cassandra’s Attic. Did you know I used to be a management consultant?”

Her mind reeled. “No, but you don’t have to decide everything tonight.”

“You’re right, but whatever decision is made, we’ll do it together.”

“I like the sound of that.” Her smile seemed to stretch across her entire face. “I guess this means I need to stop being so black and white about everything.”

He grinned. “That might help.”

“Gray’s not the worst color.”

“It’s not, but I draw the line at yoga.”

“I can live with that.”

“Good, because I don’t want to live without you.” Troy dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me?”

Her nerve endings quivered. Her blood tingled. She struggled for a breath. “For real?”

“For real.” Troy took the ring out of his pocket. “I love you. I want to marry you.”

“Yes.” Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. “I love you.”

Troy slipped the ring on her finger. Standing, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “No more nights, weekends, or weeks. I’ll be your fiancé for life.”

“No, you won’t,” she said. “You’ll be my husband for life.”

With that, Cassandra kissed him, long and hard. No more pretend kisses. Only real ones from now on. “I think I’m going to like being engaged for real.”

“Wait until we’re married, Cassandra.”

Staring at the diamond ring on her finger, she smiled. “Call me Cassie, and I don’t want to wait.”