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She didn’t say it out loud, but she was referring to how Owen had manipulated her.
“Not too long ago, you told me to be bold, and take a chance. I met Leo, we clicked, and here we are.” She let the silence fill the space between them because there wasn’t anything else she could say to convince her mom right now.
“What do your instincts tell you about Leo?” her mom asked, her voice gentle.
“I trust him. He’s always been open and honest with me.”
She held Cassie’s gaze.
“Leo is nothing like Owen.”
“No, he is not.” Her mother studied Cassie.“I think Leo is serious about you.”
Her cheeks flushed with heat under her mom’s scrutiny. “We haven’t known each other long.”
She let out a soft sigh. “And that is precisely what your father is concerned about. You don’t know each other well, yet you’re convinced he has no interest in persuading you to develop the Crete property?”
“Yes. I’m positive.”
“Then you won’t object to showing your father and me the property.”
“I’d love to show it to you someday.”
“Not someday. Today.” Her voice was uncharacteristically resolute.
“What?”
“We can fly to Crete now. That way, your father and Leo will see it at the same time and share their input with you.”
“Are you taking Dad’s side?”
“I’m not on anyone’s side.” Hermom patted Cassie’s hand. “I want to put an end to this strain between you and your father. I’m worried about your father’s business, but this property belongs to you, and I want you to be free to make your decision on your own terms.”
“Then what’s the rush? It’s not even legally mine yet, and I don’t plan on doing—”
Her father burst into the kitchen with Leo behind. “So, you and Leo are coming to Crete with us.”
Leo was visibly exasperated, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Are we?” she asked Leo.
“It’s up to you,” he answered with a cautious glance to her father. What the hell had they been talking about?
Her father continued, “We can be there in a few hours. There’ll be plenty of daylight to check it out.”
“Leo and I have plans.” She moved by his side and took his hand. “Don’t we?”
Leo gave her hand a squeeze but remained quiet, keeping his eyes on her father.
“We can drop you off on Crete and look at the property. Then your mother and I will go on to Santorini afterward. I’ll send the jet back to you so you can leave tomorrow.”
“What if I don’t think any of this is necessary?” Cassie asked.
Leo turned to her. “If you want to go, we go. If you want to stay, we stay. It’s your choice.”
The air in the kitchen stilled. Leo wasn’t pushing her. He would support her decision no matter what choice she made, and right now, it was all the support she needed. Her parents waited for her answer. Anxiety increased in her father’s eyes, and her mother’s sphinxlike expression gave nothing away.
She turned her attention back to Leo. Everything else fell away except for the two of them. She wanted to share with him the place that brought her so much joy.
