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Cassandra looked him square in the eye. “Yes, you should have.”
“Please give me a chance to explain.”
“I found out our fathers were business rivals.” Her eyes flashed with defiance. “Is that why you had a meltdown?”
“It’s part of the reason. Look, I’ve got a meeting to get to, and you have an appointment. Let’s schedule a time to get together.”
Cassandra avoided his gaze. “I need to think about it, okay?”
“Okay.” He was disappointed she didn’t agree right away, but at least she didn’t refuse. “I can live with that.”
“I really do need to get going.” Cassandra got to her feet.
“My car’s out front. I can take you anywhere.”
“Don’t you have a meeting?”
“I can be late.” He took out his phone and sent a quick text to Ben to say he’d be late. “Where’s your appointment?”
“Eaton Square.”
On instinct, he moved to take her hand, but she pulled it away. It was too soon to touch her. He led the way from the restaurant to his car at the curb.
“This is your car?” she asked, getting settled inside. “I thought you’d drive a sports car.”
“Who says I don’t own a sports car? I prefer to drive the Land Rover around town.” Leo smiled and closed the door, walked to the driver’s side, and climbed inside.
While he drove, he sneaked an occasional glance to her while Cassandra focused on her phone.
“You and Lucy were crying and laughing in the restaurant. And you’re both dressed in black. Were you at a funeral today?”
“Yeah,” she said in a subdued tone. “Professor Beatrice Somerville was a close friend of ours.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Remember the memorable dinner I mentioned I had on Crete?”
“I do. It was the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding on Easter.”
“That’s right.” She glanced at him. “Beatrice cooked that dinner.I worked as her assistant at the time. Owen had just broken up with me. Beatrice surprised me with dinner to cheer me up. We stayed up late talking about a million different things, and by the time I went to bed, I knew I would be okay.” She let out a soft sigh. “It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me,” she said, turning her head away to the window.
The car idled at a stoplight, and the silence surrounding her sadness grew heavy in the car. He carried on an internal struggle between talking to her or remaining quiet.
“Leo?”
“Hmm?” He turned to her, engrossed by the way her eyes lifted to his with so much vulnerability.
“Why are you attracted to me?”
Wow. He never would have expected such a direct question.
“Um…Give me a minute.” The light turned green, and he continued driving, mulling over how to answer her question. He had so many things he wanted to say to her, but he couldn’t. Not until she trusted him again. He would have to be honest about why her father hated him.
“You can drop me off over there.” She pointed to a large white townhouse.
These were some of the most expensive homes in London. “I thought you had a dentist appointment or something like that. Do you live here?”
“No.” She turned to him. “It’s Beatrice’s home. I’ve been staying here for a while. I’m expecting someone.”
