Vote Then Read: Volume II

by Lauren Blakely

  “But the dress has never been worn,” Eric explained as if he were talking about a pair of jeans, not a beautiful white dress that had made Cassandra feel like a princess. “Letting an expensive wedding gown hang in the closet forever because I married you would be a total waste.”

  Cassandra stiffened. She couldn’t believe she’d told that moron she loved him or said yes when he’d asked her to marry him. Temporary insanity. That was the only explanation.

  Troy placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. His warm breath teased her neck.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  She nodded. At least someone cared, or pretended to care, about her feelings. “I sold the dress.”

  “Well, then. That means you’ll need a new one. This time…” Her mother picked up her glass of Chardonnay. “I want to go shopping with you.”

  “Of course, Mother.” That day would never happen.

  “There’s plenty of time to talk about the wedding,” her father said. “All I know is my little girl looks happy, and that makes me happy.”

  “My job is to make her happy.” Troy caressed Cassandra’s cheek with his fingertips.

  A tingle ran up her spine. “You do an excellent job.”

  Did he ever.

  He was playing the devoted fiancé role better than she expected. She would have to be careful given the sparks that could easily erupt into fireworks if he kept touching her.

  “What do you do, Troy?” Emily asked.

  Leave it to her sister to get to the bottom line—income potential. An interrogation of Troy was bound to happen at some point. Cassandra had hoped they could get through appetizers and their salads first.

  No biggie.

  She assumed Troy was an attorney. He had that overpaid, on-a-retainer, stick-up-his-bottom lawyer look about him. “Go ahead, honey. Tell them what you do.”

  Troy cleared his throat. “Venture capital.”

  Oh, no. Not V.C. Cassandra clenched her teeth to keep her mouth from gaping open. Her stomach somersaulted.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  Not again.

  Her dad beamed. Of course this news would make him ecstatic.

  Dixon Daniels was one of the long-reigning kings of venture capitalists—financiers who invested in startup companies in hopes of making huge profits. He’d made a fortune at the height of the tech bubble, but money had continued to pour in after the dot-com collapse and now.

  Her father leaned forward. “I thought you looked familiar, Troy. Who do you work for, Sand Hill? No, it’s Scorpio Partners. I remember now. You handled the MagiWare deal.”

  Troy nodded.

  “Impressive.” Her dad wasn’t a man who gave praise often. “Why didn’t you tell me your fiancé was in the business, honey?”

  Cassandra struggled for words to say. Troy had caught her off-guard. He looked like an attorney. He was supposed to be an attorney.

  How could she have been so stupid? Why hadn’t she asked what he did? Daniels Venture Group was a respected firm, and Dixon Daniels was known as the master. Up-and-comers would kill to learn from him. Marrying the boss’s daughter was an easy way in. Just ask Eric Wainwright.

  Not sure how to answer, she swallowed. “Well, Dad…”

  “We wanted to tell you in person,” Troy finished for her, much to Cassandra’s relief. “I didn’t want you to think I was marrying your daughter for the wrong reasons.”

  Her father glanced at Eric and then at Troy. “Does this mean you have no interest in joining my group?”

  Unsure if she wanted to hear his answer, Cassandra focused on the bread basket. Death by carbs sounded like the perfect option right now. Eric had lied when she asked him the same question after they’d started dating. She crumpled the linen napkin on her lap.

  “I wouldn’t say I have no interest,” Troy said. “But my first concern is Cassie.”

  Ugh. If he kept using that nickname, someone would notice. Cassandra forced herself not to grimace.

  “Getting married is stressful,” Troy continued with a sincerity that suggested he was an excellent actor—or a liar. “A new job would only add to the pressure. I want to be the best fiancé and husband I can, so I don’t see myself making any changes right now.”

  A rush of emotion built inside Cassandra. For all the fake smiles she’d given tonight, the one on her face now was genuine. She’d hoped to find a man who would say those words—a man who would put her needs ahead of his own. Troy answered the question well.

  That gave her hope.

  Maybe not all men were like Eric. Perhaps some weren’t self-centered and egotistical.

  Was Troy different?

  Not that it mattered, but he sure was being the perfect fiancé. If what he’d said was true, Troy would make a great husband. A great husband for someone else.

  She ignored a twinge of regret. After tonight, she wouldn’t see him again.

  “Cassandra, you’ve found such a nice man.” Her mother dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “I spent hours on my makeup. I can’t believe I’m going to ruin it by crying.”

  “You don’t need makeup to look beautiful, dear,” her father said.

  Her mother sniffled. “I hope the two of you will be very happy together.”

  “Vanessa, you read my mind.” Her dad raised his glass. “A toast…to Troy and Cassie. May the two of you find a lifetime of happiness together.”

  Oh no, her father had called her Cassie. That meant he’d noticed Troy using her old nickname. What was she going to do?

  She’d spent her freshman year of college convincing her family to call her by her full name. She’d later realized she was more of a Cassie than a Cassandra, but by then, the trench had been dug too deep. She’d had to continue holding her ground.

  “Daddy?” she asked.

  “Yes, Cassie?”

  The joy in his eyes made her hesitate. For the first time in years, she’d made him happy. Her mother looked equally pleased. Cassandra couldn’t spoil the mood, not yet anyway. If she allowed only her father and Troy to call her Cassie tonight, that wouldn’t be too bad, right?

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you.”

  “So, Cassie,” Emily said with a saccharine-sweet tone. “Have you heard we’ve been house hunting? Unfortunately, the market is tight, especially in Palo Alto.”

  “It’s Cassandra,” she corrected her sister. “And I’m sure house hunting must be a challenge.”

  “Are you still living in that…unique apartment near Twenty-Fourth Street?”

  Thanks to Emily and Eric, Cassandra had moved after the breakup. The bad memories were too much for her to take.

  As her temper flared, she reached for her glass of Cabernet. She sipped slowly, enjoying the robust taste of the full-bodied wine until she reined in her emotions. The anger, however, felt good. That was better than heartbroken. “No, I live a couple of blocks away.”

  “You should buy a place.” Emily stared down her nose—a move she’d perfected by the time she turned nine. “Renting makes no sense.”

  “It’s like flushing your money down the toilet.” Cassandra’s words ended her sister’s lecture.

  The rest of the evening went relatively smooth. Delectable desserts followed the delicious dinner. Conversation flowed without the uncomfortable gaps of silence they’d experienced at the beginning. Cassandra managed to be civil to Emily and Eric, who returned the politeness. Troy charmed his way further into her parents’ hearts.

  Gratitude grew with each sentence he spoke. She also appreciated the way he kept his arm around her chair—his fingers on her shoulder. Not only would anyone looking at them assume they were in love, but she also had the support she’d needed when dealing with her family.

  Everything had worked as planned, except for her father calling her Cassie, but she could fix that later. This would be over soon enough.

  Outside the restaurant, Cassandra kissed her mother’s cheek. “It was wonderful
seeing you, Mom.”

  “I enjoyed it, dear. I like your young man,” Vanessa whispered.

  “Thanks, Mom.” Cassandra hugged her father. “Thanks for the delicious dinner, Dad.”

  “Glad you could come.” He released her and then extended his arm to Troy. “I’m happy we got to spend time with you.”

  Troy shook her father’s hand. “Thanks for dinner, sir.”

  “I wish we had more time to get to know one another,” her father said, a twinge of regret in his voice.

  “Daddy, it’s getting late.” Emily tapped her toe on the sidewalk. “You and Mother have a long drive ahead of you.”

  “We’re staying in the city, so don’t worry about us.” Her dad looked at Troy. “I have an idea. Are you a golfer?”

  “Yes, but I’m a hacker.”

  “Me, too,” her dad replied.

  Cassandra bit back a chuckle. Her father, who played at least three days a week, had a four handicap. He was far from a hacker.

  “Why don’t you and Cassie spend the weekend with us in Carmel?” her father asked. “You and I can golf, and the women can discuss wedding plans. Short notice, I realize.”

  “Uh.” Troy ran his hand through his hair. “What do you think, honey?”

  “Well, I—”

  “It’s settled,” her father said before Cassandra could say no. He placed something in Troy’s hand and whispered in his ear.

  Cassandra needed to stop this. Now. “Daddy…”

  Her father kissed her cheek. “We’ll see you Friday night, kids.”

  With that, her parents walked around the corner. Emily and Eric followed them.

  “What happened?” Cassandra stared at the deserted sidewalk. Her shoulders slumped. “It was going so well. Too well, of course. I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming. I wanted them to like you, but this is too much. How are we going to get out of spending the weekend with them?”

  With a bewildered look, Troy stared at the contents in his hand. “I don’t know.”

  “What did my father give you?”

  Troy showed her two fifty-dollar bills. “You won’t believe what he said it was for.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Cassandra stared at the money in Troy’s hand. She laughed. “I can’t believe my father gave you gas money.”

  “Me, either, but this isn’t funny.” An incredulous look was on Troy’s face. “No one’s ever given me gas money. Not even my own father.”

  “It’s not a big deal. This is what he’s done my whole life. Arguing with him is futile.”

  Troy’s eyebrows furrowed. Her explanation hadn’t seemed to mollify him.

  “I don’t need your father’s money.” Troy stiffened. “I might not have my own company or fund, but I have a good job.”

  “This isn’t about you.” He needed to lighten up. Cassandra wondered if Troy took everything so seriously. “My father gave you money for me. He’s trying to take care of his little girl.”

  “But I feel…offended.” Troy’s lips flattened. “I can take care of you myself.”

  Okay, the guy was sweet to think that, even though this engagement of theirs was not only fake but also over. Cassandra would play along if that made him feel better. She owed him for coming with her tonight.

  “I know that, and so does my father.”

  The temperature kept dropping. The cold brought goose bumps to her arms. Too bad she hadn’t brought a jacket. She crossed her arms. “Be happy my father likes you.”

  Troy removed his suit jacket and placed it around her shoulders. “He does?”

  “Of course, much to my brother-in-law’s chagrin.” Cassandra pulled the front of his jacket together. The scent of Troy surrounded her and made her want to smell the fabric. On second thought, that wouldn’t be a smart idea. “Eric kept glaring at you. The look on his face was priceless. I’m sure he thinks you’re trying to grab a share of his gravy train.”

  Troy’s forehead creased. “You think this is funny?”

  “Yes, I do.” His irritated tone annoyed her. “Relax, Troy. My father didn’t mean to offend you, so stop feeling insulted. Consider the cash payment for services rendered. I’ll come up with an excuse why we can’t go to Carmel this weekend. This is my problem, not yours.”

  “I disagree.” He shoved the money into her hand. “This goes beyond gas money. It’s as much my problem as it is yours.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Your father is Dixon Daniels.” Troy said her father’s name with an almost-reverent tone. “Whether I want to work for him or not doesn’t matter. I have my reputation and career to consider. Dixon is an influential man in the V.C. circle. I doubt he’d be spiteful on purpose, but, as you pointed out, you are his daughter.”

  How dare he, a total stranger, criticize her father? She raised her chin. “My father would not sabotage your career. He is an honorable man.”

  “An honorable man who adores you,” Troy said softly. “I was tempted to walk out when I saw him, but I couldn’t leave you there alone.”

  At least she’d picked an honorable fake fiancé. Biting her lower lip, she struggled to put the situation into perspective. “Thanks for staying. I’m sure tonight wasn’t easy for you.”

  “It wasn’t, which is why I can’t blow you off like a one-night stand and risk offending your father. I’m not a partner at a V.C. firm. I’m an associate, working my way up the proverbial ladder. If he wanted, Dixon could become a big obstacle to my getting ahead.”

  “What are you suggesting we do?” Cassandra asked, not sure if she wanted to hear Troy’s idea. She wasn’t as happy being stuck with his honorable intentions now.

  He glanced at the sidewalk and muttered something.

  She couldn’t have heard him correctly. “What did you say?”

  “We could be engaged for a little while longer.”

  “Are you crazy?” She yelled so loudly that a passing car stopped so a passenger could ask if she was all right.

  “Until tonight, I would have said no,” Troy said with a half-smile. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “What does that have to do—”

  “Answer the question, Cassie.”

  “No.”

  “Neither am I,” Troy said. “So we don’t have to worry about other people saying anything or being hurt by this. I don’t see why being engaged longer wouldn’t work.”

  It’s crazy, that’s why.

  The situation was getting out of control. Not that this mess wasn’t her fault. She took full responsibility for the fiasco they faced, but that didn’t mean she had to allow the farce to continue. No, she had to put a stop to the fake engagement. “That’s what I said about tonight and look where we are now.”

  Troy buttoned the front of his jacket around her. “Once your parents see how different we are, they’ll understand when we break up. We can say goodbye and tell your parents it’s too painful to remain friends.”

  Although Cassandra didn’t think her father would hurt Troy’s career, she understood his concern. She had dragged him into this mess. Was she willing to take a chance with Troy’s job hanging in the balance?

  No, she couldn’t do that to him.

  “How often do you see your parents?” he asked.

  Never. “Not much.”

  “So no one will know whether we are together or not. All we have to do is get through the weekend.”

  The weekend.

  As much as she might want to make a clean break, Cassandra couldn’t leave Troy in the lurch. He seemed like a nice guy. Uptight, but he’d gone along with her charade. Leaving him with a noose around his neck and her father holding the rope wouldn’t be fair.

  She bit the inside of her cheek. “How long will we keep up the masquerade?”

  “Long enough so I don’t look like a jerk.” His smile lightened the seriousness of their situation. “What do you think? Will you be my fiancée for the weekend?”

  She’d wanted a fiancé for the night, not any lo
nger. She enjoyed her life the way it was—uncomplicated. “Okay, but on one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “We don’t get married,” she said half-joking, half-serious. “I mean, let’s not get carried away with this, uh, thing. I’ve had one fiancé who was more interested in marrying my father than me.”

  “That’s an easy one.” Troy laughed. “I don’t want to marry Dixon.”

  She exhaled slowly. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know.” Troy smiled. “I promise not to get carried away with this ‘thing.’”

  “Thank you.”

  “Besides,” he said, almost laughing again. “Look at us. We’re complete opposites—from the way we dress to our personality types. Could you imagine us dating, let alone married?”

  3

  That night, Troy had trouble falling asleep. Thoughts of the dinner, particularly his fake fiancée, bounced around his head like Ping-Pong balls. When he could finally relax, dreams of chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and Cassie took over. Sweet dreams that morphed their way into sexier ones. She might be his opposite, but he hadn’t wanted to wake up and didn’t.

  Except sleeping through his alarm meant he overslept and was late.

  Not a few minutes late, either. An hour.

  Troy bolted out of bed and into the shower. Less than ten minutes later, he ran to catch the Marina Express, bus number 30X.

  He didn’t need to clock in, but he tried to get to the office early. The quiet meant he could get more work done before coworkers arrived and phones rang. He also liked being hard at work when the partners showed up. Troy had never been late.

  Until today.

  As soon as he walked into the office, his boss, Mick, met him at his desk and gave him a once-over. “Late night, Troy?”

  “I—” Troy struggled for what to say without mentioning his dinner with the Daniels family. “I had trouble sleeping last night, and I slept in.”

  Not exactly a lie. Thoughts about Cassie had kept him awake, and then dreams about her made him wish he could hibernate.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Mick said with a Cheshire cat smile. “Why don’t you come into my office?”