“Maybe you are. For the moment. I just don’t know if you can really separate us now from the past. You need to think about it. And I need to get inside. It’s cold,” she said, grabbing on to the excuse she needed.
Although it was warmer than yesterday, her nose was already cold from the wind. And Derek did need time to think.
He released her and she headed for the front door. “Thank you for last night,” she said over her shoulder.
“Cassie—”
Instead of answering, she lifted a hand in a wave before letting herself into the house, aware of her snow-covered boots on the marble floor. She shut the door behind her and blew out a long breath.
She released the zipper on her jacket as a combination of sadness and anticipation rolled through her. Who knew what decisions Derek would make about her once he gave it some thought. Still, she didn’t regret her outburst. She didn’t want a man who was only half in when it came to anything beyond business between them. She’d had enough of relationships built on lies and partial truths about the other person’s motives.
“Where have you been?” Spencer asked, walking out of the study to the left of the front door.
“You scared me!”
“I was doing work when I saw the car pull up by the front door. Who was that guy? New boyfriend?”
“None of your business! What’s wrong with you? I don’t question your relationships.”
He raised one eyebrow over eyes the same brown as her own. “Oh, so it’s a relationship.”
“I didn’t say that.”
He studied her, his gaze going from her feet, all the way up. “You didn’t have to. You’re in the same clothes you were in when I came by your house yesterday.”
She bit down on the inside of her cheek. “I got snowed in while I
was in the city looking at apartments so you can move in.”
“So who drove you home? Your broker? Come on, sis, fess up.”
“Fine, it was Derek West,” she said, if only to shut her brother up. “I’m interviewing him for Take a Byte, and he was kind enough to help me find a place to live.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? The gardener’s kid?”
She stiffened at the disdain in Spencer’s tone.
“No, the self-made billionaire,” she countered, hoping her brother got the hint that his own wealth hadn’t been earned.
God, what was wrong with men? She’d had enough of the class difference bullshit with Derek, though his had been more subtle and more personal.
“You can do better than him.”
“And you don’t care who I see, so why do you have a problem with him?”
As if he was suddenly uncomfortable, Spencer rolled his shoulders and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. “It’s just awkward. They used to work for us until Dad caught his mother stealing. You need to stay away from them.”
“Whoa. Wait. What?”
“His mother’s a thief. Of course, she got away with it, but Dad let them go, no references. Which is what they deserved. So steer clear.”
Nausea filled her throat. “No. I don’t believe that.” His mother was the sweetest, kindest woman. She wouldn’t steal from them. “Dad told me they moved on to a new job.”
He shifted from foot to foot. “I guess they didn’t want to upset you. You always were too nice to the help.”
That was it. She wanted to go home, to her house, while it was still hers. “You’re a pig. Please tell me the walkway is shoveled so I can get home.”
“Yes. The snowplow broke. They’re coming back later to do the secondary driveway.”