Page 13 of Rumor Has It

I’m silent for a beat. Vespa has me on speakerphone. The rapidclick-click-clickof her ball point pen is audible.

“You’re taking a woman out.” She blows an irritated breath. “After all these months, are you fucking kidding me?”

“Get the table, V.” I’m not arguing. Vespa may run my life, but she does so because she works for me. I’ve asked her for crazier things.

“I can’t. Not without you giving me permission to throw out your name. You’ve been all about flying under the radar. Don’t risk everything for a quick lay, Isaiah.”

It’s my turn to get irritated. “Do what you have to do.” I gnaw on my thumbnail. “And courier me something suitable to wear. I can’t show up in the same ratty clothes I’ve had on since yesterday.”

Twenty minutes later, Vespa texts a scolding confirmation. The reservation is all set.

You’re goddamned lucky you are who you are.

Not always.But yeah, being Isaiah Roomer sometimes has its perks.

Chapter Five

CASSIDY

I’m sitting on my bed with my legs propped. Without warning, Rhiannon throws the door to my room open, using enough force that the knob nearly impales itself in the drywall, and she startles me.

“You have a date with Isaiah!” she shrieks louder than she screamed his name at our aunt and uncle’s house a few hours ago.

“It’s not a date. It’s a simple thank you.”

I set the book I’m reading to the side. I’m not sure why I bothered to try to get into the story. I’ve reread paragraphs on each page, proving it’s an ineffective distraction method. My mind has been all over the place since Isaiah casually said to be ready at seven.

Rhiannon lifts her chin to the ceiling, cackling like I’m the dumbest of dumb blondes.

“Simple thank you’s are someone saying, ‘thank you’. Cassidy, Isaiah Roomer looked like he wanted to eat you out.” Exasperated, she pulls her ponytail holder out of her hair.

“Up.” I correct, though her mistake makes my nipples tingle the way they had when I couldn’t meet Isaiah’s eye before escaping back to the mansion.

“What?”

“The phrase is ‘eat you up’.”

“I didn’t misspeak.” Rhiannon puts her hands on her hips. “That man is interested. And I’m pretty sure that makes you the luckiest bitch in the universe. Country’s hottest star wants in your pants. Ohmigod, this so makes up for Rude Rudy!”

I cover my face. “Can you either close the door or take it down a notch?”

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist. There aren’t any guests around to offend.”

Rhiannon follows my directions, anyway. The door snicks closed gentler than she banged it open. However, she rushes my bed. Her long black-brown hair flies behind her. She skids, landing so close her lycra-covered knees pinch my toes.

“Ow!” I rub the thick fuzzy socks protecting my tootsies.

“Oh, get over it. Maybe he’ll suck on them for you and make it all better.” Her dark brows waggle.

I roll my eyes, but can’t help the little laugh that escapes me. I had a bad date less than twenty-four hours ago. I’ve tamped down my expectations for tonight. Rhiannon’s excitement makes them bubble to the surface. My face gets hot as a result. I’m afraid both of us are reading into Isaiah’s motives, and we have the wrong idea.

We have generational wealth. The kind that pays for college and makes it easy to afford a new car or to start a small business and not lose our shirts if it goes under. But Isaiah? He’s filthy rich. He has money to throw around. He might make over the top gestures every day of the week.

Rhiannon pushes my hair over my shoulder. “He’s attracted to you,” she says in a sing-song voice.

“Just because Isaiah’s paying attention to me today doesn’t mean he can’t have whomever he wants tomorrow.” I hate thinking this sentiment aloud. I want Isaiah to have honorable intentions. “Plus, his wife just died. He’s in mourning.”

Rhiannon blinks, making me wonder what she overheard while photographing the meeting. She’s my cousin and my best friend. I’d never ask her to betray a confidence. It would put her out of a job and I understand what it is like to dig out from that hole. Still.

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