Cassie’s POV
What the hell!
I could still feel him staring at me. Does he recognize me?
"Damien, are you okay?" CeCe asked. "The way you’re staring at Dylan’s girlfriend — don’t scare the poor girl."
I let out a small laugh. "Not his girlfriend."
"Yet," Dylan added.
I scoffed.
"Interesting." Damien’s eyes didn’t move off me. "Dylan, I’ve never questioned your taste in women before, but this one has me concerned."
"Since when do you care about me, or my taste in women?"
"Since right now."
(Glass clinking.)
Perfect distraction from whatever was happening between them.
"Everyone, let’s head to the conference room for the meeting."
"Family only."
Thank god. At least I’d get a break from the Blackwoods.
A few minutes later, I was left alone in the dining room with CeCe.
"What do you think that’s about?" she asked.
"No idea. Funeral arrangements, maybe."
"Please." She laughed. "Trust me, nobody in there cares about that. If I had to guess, it’s about the will."
"Mm."
"Funny how the more money someone has, the more they still want."
"Tell me about it." I didn’t actually care, but she clearly wasn’t going to stop talking either way.
"So — how did you and Dylan meet?"
The question caught me off guard. Does she ever quit?
"Sorry, if you’d rather not say—"
Of course I’d rather not say. I just want to go home.
"I’m just enjoying this apple pie." I took another bite, hoping that would end it.
"Fair enough." She laughed. "I ask a lot of questions. Harmless, I promise."
"Blind date. My dad set it up."
She laughed again. "A blind date? People still do that?"
"For my dad, apparently, yes."
"That’s wild. He sounds like an interesting man."
"Mm." I kept my focus on the pie, hoping that would signal I wasn’t up for more of this.
"Mine passed. Best dad in the world, honestly."
"I’m sorry for your loss."
"It’s okay. He died when I was twelve."
She was probably already searching for her next question. I needed a distraction, fast.
"So — tell me about you and Damien. He said you’re just friends, but I don’t buy it."
"We’re more than friends. Known each other forever. We actually dated."
"Ex, huh?"
"Yeah." She smiled — not a real one. She could do better than that.
"Seems like you’re still in love with him. He just doesn’t feel the same."
Her eyes fixed on me over the rim of her wine glass.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Very. It’s in the way you look at him."
"He doesn’t even notice." I’d hit a nerve, which was exactly what I needed — she went quiet, suddenly very interested in her wine.
Silence settled between us, until footsteps and raised voices broke it.
"I knew this was all you ever wanted. This mansion. He was your father, for god’s sake — show some respect." Damien’s voice sharpened as he stormed into the dining room.
His face was pure rage. I’d never seen him like this — furious, but underneath it, something almost breakable.
"You don’t get to talk to me like that," his father shot back.
"I get to talk to you however I want. This is exactly what happened when Mom died. You moved on before her funeral was even over."
"Is that what this is about?"
My eyes stayed locked on them as the argument escalated.
"Yes! Mom was murdered, and you dropped the case and moved on like she never existed."
Dylan stepped between them, trying to calm his brother down. "Damien, go home. You’ve had a long day."
"Cee, come on — let’s get out of this place."
Cee? He has a nickname for her? I watched them walk off, CeCe’s hand wrapped around his arm, clearly trying to talk him down.
They looked good together. Deep down, some small, stupid part of me wished it were me. If I’d come as his assistant instead of Dylan’s date, maybe CeCe wouldn’t even be here.
She followed him outside. Dylan came over to me and said it was time to go.
Finally. I couldn’t even feel my own face anymore under the weight of the makeup and this wig. I’d have killed to peel them both off.
But Damien and CeCe were still stranded in the parking lot when we walked out.
"Everything okay? Figured you’d be long gone by now."
Damien hesitated, pride clearly warring with reality, before admitting his car wouldn’t start.
"Not a problem — I can drop you both home. You can sort the car out tomorrow."
Still no answer. Just Damien, standing there, looking at us. At me, really.
"I think that’s a good idea," CeCe said, rubbing his arm. "It’s freezing out here, and you catch colds so easily." Somehow, even saying that, her eyes drifted toward me.
"Fine. But I’m driving."
Dylan glanced at me and shrugged. "All yours." He tossed Damien the keys, opened the back door for me, then climbed into the front passenger seat himself.
"That’s a generous move," Damien said, needling him.
"Yeah, well." Dylan shot back immediately. "I didn’t realize you and CeCe were back together."
Damien scoffed. "We’re not back together. I just needed a ride, and she was the only one free." He paused. "My assistant had her hands full tonight."
"Sure. CeCe, showing up for you no matter what."
"Mm."
"I’m still sitting right here, in case anyone forgot," CeCe cut in.
"Whoa, my bad." Damien threw his hands up dramatically.
"Ouch." CeCe kicked the back of his seat.
"So," Damien said, catching my eyes in the rearview mirror, "what did you say your name was?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"Kate." My voice came out shakier than I wanted. Why does he keep looking at me like that? Does he actually recognize me? I’d spent months in that office with him — recognizing me shouldn’t have been a stretch. God, I’m so done for.
"Funny story," Dylan cut in. "Her dad set us up on a blind date. And here we are."
"That’s the whole story?"
"Were you hoping for more?" I shot back.
"Whoa." Damien held up a hand. "I can feel the tension between you two — might want to dial it back."
"I’m just looking out for him, and I think this one’s worth being cautious about."
"I haven’t said this to her yet," Dylan cut in, voice steady, "but I’m saying it now, in front of both of you — I’ve developed real feelings for Kate. I’d appreciate it if you respected that."
"What’s the rush?" Damien said. "I’m just looking out for you."
"I’m fine, Damien."
"Alright. I’ll drop it."
"Thank you."
I didn’t know what was going on with Damien, but I could still feel his eyes finding mine in the mirror.
"You know what," Damien said, "I think I’d like to get to know her better, Dylan."
"How about we all go on a date together? You, me, CeCe, and Kate."
"I’m sorry — what?"