And my mother was flying in tomorrow.
With a secret in her purse and a name on her tongue.
“You’re quiet,” Cassian said.
“I’m thinking,” I replied.
“I know.”
I turned my head. “Does it bother you?”
“No.”
“That’s too easy.”
His gaze met mine briefly. “I don’t mind you being changed.”
The words hit like a low strike.
“I’m not—” I started.
He didn’t let me finish. “You are.”
The car turned onto Meeting, then cut toward the Battery. The light through the windshield was pale, reflecting off the harbor in thin flashes.
“You’re taking me to your house,” I said.
“Yes.”
“Your house,” I repeated. “Not a hotel.”
“Yes.”
My pulse ticked up. “You’re not worried I’ll say no.”
“No.”
“That confidence is?—”
“Accurate,” he finished calmly.
I exhaled a bitter laugh. “You’re insufferable.”
His mouth curved slightly. “You keep coming back.”
I didn’t answer.
Because he was right.
“What about my condo?” I asked instead. “Near the water.”
His gaze shifted to me fully now. Attentive. Calm.
“You can go there,” he said.
Just like that.
No hesitation. No territorial edge.
