Page 75 of Rumor Has It

“I still need to bake them and make the marinade.” Leaving a messy kitchen for Cassidy to clean up wasn’t my intent.

“Don’t worry about that nonsense.” She sounds utterly nonplussed and professional. “Your culinary skills are coming along nicely, and you have company to attend to.”

“Cassidy,Miss Cavanaugh,is an accomplished chef.” I can’t help paying her a compliment.

She shakes her head. “He’s exaggerating. I’ve only worked here at Kingsbrier and I enjoy it very much… and giving the lessons as well.”

“My fiancée would go nuts for an inn like this. The winery. The accommodations. Learning how to cook,” Will booms like he’s selling the place.

I somehow hold in my snort.

It’s humorous once you’ve gained clarity and taken a step back from where you were. Will dyes his brown hair to hide the fact that his fiancée is half his age. She’s also as vain as they come. Her insistence Will go incommunicado on their honeymoon is because she needs his constant undivided attention.

“It’s a shame you can’t join Isaiah on tour, Miss Cavanaugh. I haven’t seen him looking this healthy since…” Will pauses, thinking better of mentioning Kylie’s accident. The last time I saw him with any regularity. “Well, maybe ever. Whatever you are feeding him, he looks great.”

Vespa was correct when she mentioned I have to maintain my fitness regimen to stop from gaining weight from Cassidy’s cooking. Although I kept my comments to myself when my assistant went a little crazy online shopping for gym clothes for herself. I swear when Cassidy sets out the afternoon appetizers, she’s melting Vespa’s icy heart one steaming fondue pot at time.

“Your daughter is delightful. Beautiful,” Ben adds, selling himself. “She favors her mother.”

Ben’s closer to my age. Polished blond hair, wears shiny suits, and gives never-ending sleek compliments. He’s not my favorite person and not anyone I actively avoid. I understand why Will’s management company brought him on. He was good to Kylie.

Aria, back to using the cereal spoon as a teether, smiles.

I’m sure if I put Aria’s baby pictures next to Kylie’s the resemblance would be uncanny. The baby’s pajamas cover a mole Aria has in almost the same spot as where Kylie had one below her neck. Other than blonde hair, Aria doesn’t look a thing like Cassidy. They don’t have the same color eyes or similar noses. It’s like saying Chesney and Aria look alike because Chesney drools whenever Gatlin slips his daughter a lollipop on the sly.

How do Will and Ben not see what’s right in front of their faces?

“My dau—” Cassidy swallows the question before it slips out.

“Yes! She certainly does,” Vespa shouts her agreement with Ben.

“Mmm.” Aria holds the spoon out to Cassidy. “Mmm… Mmm.”

“You look like your mommy, don’t you?” Vespa’s coo sends shivers up my spine.

Cassidy is as concerned about my assistant’ baiting. “I—Leave the dishes, Isaiah. I’m taking the baby to,erm, daycare. Then I’ll come back to clean up and fix lunch. Would you like a basket sent over to the studio?”

“Monty will drive her.” I rolled.

The extra time we thought we had was plenty for Monty to bring Aria over to Gatlin and Bellamy’s, anyway. Behind me, Vespa makes a sound between a groan and a squeak.

“If that’s okay with you?”Crap.I almost blew it.

Ben doesn’t give Cassidy the floor to respond.

“A working lunch is perfect. It allows us to discuss Sweet Caroline’s. Ballantine’s talent manager contacted Will. We have dates to add to your calendar.” He slaps me on the back.

This is one occasion I’m thankful Ben’s a brown-noser.

Chapter Thirty

CASSIDY

“I’m sorry I let Will and Ben believe Aria was your daughter,” Isaiah offers me a conciliatory glass of wine.

“I’m not,” Vespa scoffs. “They ate the single-mother-making-doe-eyes at the celebrity up with a spoon.”

“It’s okay.” I keep my voice cheery.

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