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Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Just like me.”
“Yeah. He yelled at me to leave his daughter alone. It didn’t make sense to me because I had no idea he had a daughter.”
She covered her mouth with a hand to suppress a smile. “Is this the reason you freaked out about who I was?”
This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. She didn’t understand how angry her father had been.
“You should have seen him, Cassandra. He went crazy shouting at—”
“I’m sorry.” She held up her hands for him to stop. “I understand you think he’d still be mad, but it happened a long time ago.”
“That would be great, but the point is your father is very protective of you.”
“I’m not a child, Leo. I can make my own decisions.”
Leo got to his feet and placed his hands on his hips. Her reaction reassured him, but he didn’t believe she fully understood how resentful her father could be. “Your father thinks I’m a lazy playboy who’s not as smart as Malcolm, remember? He didn’t say it in the past tense. He still feels the same way, and I’m also sure he hasn’t changed his opinions about Sutton Properties. Even though my father is gone, the rivalry still exists.”
“Do you believe in the rivalry?” Her voice sounded composed, but he recognized the seriousness of her question.
He turned to her. “Absolutely not. There’s more to this business than competing to build luxury hotels and condominiums.”
“That’s why you wanted me to see the project you’ve been working on.”
“Among other things.”
She raised her brows.
“I wanted you to know who I really am.” He looked at her closely. This was the moment he would differentiate himself from his family. He would become his own man with none of his family’s past hanging over his head. “I want nothing to do with an old rivalry.”
She gave him a nod, her expression relaxing a bit more. “Did your father ever find out what happened?”
“Hell, yeah. Malcolm told him. The next day, Nikos sent my father a string of scathing emails and voicemails. Even though my father didn’t honor his commitment that night, he was furious I embarrassed the company. I was banished from all corporate events.”
Cassandra took a sip of what had to be cold tea. “So, now I have a better idea of who you are and why you panicked. What happens next?”
This was the moment he would know for sure if she wanted more. “I want a second chance.”
Her eyes sparked with interest. She stood and took his hand, intertwining their fingers, and smiled. “I can give you that.”
Relief flooded through him. He rubbed her hand with his finger. “Being with me comes with a lot of celebrity crap. I’ve been gone for a while, and we’ll be under a microscope when we’re out together. There’s also your parents to consider. I doubt your father will be happy you’re dating me.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He wanted to believe her, but it wouldn’t be fair unless she had time to reflect on what she was taking on with him.
“I want you to think about it.”
Cassandra’s eyes were steady on his. “I won’t change my mind.”
Leo took a full breath. Weeks of stress relaxed between his shoulders. “You don’t know how happy that makes me, but just the same, take some time.”
She moved closer to him. “When will I see you again?”
“I wish it could be tomorrow, but I’m flying to New York. Ben and I are giving a presentation on Rose Village to the Walker Foundation. In fact, I should get going. We have an early flight.” He tucked her arm into his and headed for the door.
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’ll be back next Saturday. It will give you some time to consider everything.”
