Page 87 of The Rented Bride

Cassie froze as he turned.

He stared for a long moment, then set the phone on the counter. “You heard, didn’t you?”

“Heard you’re engaged? Heard about Lindsey Freemont? Heard that apparently I’m your flavor of the day? Yes, I’ve heard all of those things.”

“I’m not engaged,” he said.

“But you are involved with her.”

“Not anymore.”

“I don’t care.” She whirled and hurried toward the door.

Strong fingers seized her arm before she got three paces and he turned her around.

“Cassie, I ended my relationship with Lindsey before my proposal to you.”

“Our business arrangement, you mean.”

“After last night, I think we can both acknowledge we’ve moved past the terms of our contract.”

Our contract. The words sounded so cold. They were cold. Cassie released a slow steady exhale. “Let me go.”

He hesitated.

“I’ll hear you out,” she said.

He still hesitated, then released her and stepped aside. She crossed to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. “What’s going on, Trent? Were you engaged to her?”

He pulled over the chair and sat across from her. “I never felt pressured to get married and have a family. And then my grandfather became ill. I thought Lindsey wanted the same future as I. She lied.”

Sadness, mingled with jealousy, stabbed soul deep. “Did you love her?”

“Yes—no. I don’t know. I believed what we had was enough. Even without her lies, I realize now that we wouldn’t have made a good match. I knew she was angry when I broke it off, but I fail to see what good she thought would come from announcing an engagement.”

“Jealousy, because of me?”

Trent shook his head. “She doesn’t know about you.”

“I’m sure she does now. My name is linked to yours all over the internet. They know where I work. The paparazzi is calling Maryanne.”

He nodded. “I know. I just got off the phone with Tomas. He’s doing damage control. One of his many talents is publisher of After Hours. He’ll put the rumors of my engagement to rest.”

A small amount of relief washed over her. “Maybe she thought there was still something between you?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “I made it very clear we were through. She tried to explain away her lies. I broke it off with her, and she left furious. I never expected to hear from her again.”

“So you were engaged?”

“Privately, yes. But, as I said, I broke it off.”

Cassie stood. “Why do I feel like I’m not getting the full story?” Maryanne’s words echoed through her mind. Cassie didn’t need a full explanation. It was all on the internet. Another realization hit. Maryanne said that Lindsey told everyone at Weekend Watch that she and Trent had announced their engagement at James’ birthday party. Trent had gone from being engaged to Lindsey to married to her within twenty-four hours.

Cassie stared. “Oh my god, you broke up with her at James’ birthday party.”

Shock registered on his face.

She’d hit the mark.

Cassie shook her head. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”

He stood. “None of it matters. It’s over.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just a temporary business arrangement.” She headed for the door.

“Cassie, wait.”

Her hand poised on the handle of the door, she glanced over her shoulder. “I have a job to do.”

“I didn’t put the ring on Lindsey’s finger. I put it on yours.”