Page 105 of The Rented Bride

“Trent, don’t do this.” She tried to pull free, but he gripped her hand more tightly.

“I’m making this official,” he said.

“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself just because my family is here. We made a mistake and you realize now how much you care for Lindsey. My family will be mad, but we’ll be back in Miami and they’ll get over it.”

He shook his head. “You brought her up earlier. I don’t ever want to hear her name again.”

“Trent, I only have so many options for divorce. Infidelity or fraud. Come up with something or I will.”

“You would lie to Grandma Rosa and your father?” he asked.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I love you.”

She shook her head. “You’re just caught up in the loss of your grandfather.”

He nodded. “Yes, losing him hurts like hell. But it’s also brought clarity. I know what I want. I know how I feel.” He snorted a laugh. “Even grandfather could see I’d fallen in love with you.” Trent stared up at her.

Cassie started. Sophia, Meg and her mother stood twenty feet away, mouths agape, eyes glued to her and Trent and hanging on every word. “We aren’t alone anymore,” she whispered. “Get up.”

“Not until you answer me.” He touched the ring on her finger. “This was the ring my grandfather gave my grandmother when he asked her to marry him. It’s magical. It joins two lives. I love you, Cassandra.”

Cassie drew a sharp breath. “Trent, you can’t mean this.”

“I mean this with all my heart.”

Her father appeared in the hallway behind Meg, Sophia and her mother. By all that was unholy, had they called a family meeting?

“Will you marry me?”

“We’re already married.”

“Will you stay married to me?’

Her family started toward them.

“Cassandra, what is this?” her mother demanded.

Cassie didn’t reply Her gaze lingered on his face. “Yes,” she whispered. “Now get up before the interrogation begins.”

Trent stood, pulled Cassie into his arms, and kissed her.

“Why are you proposing?” Her mother’s lips pursed.

Trent wrapped an arm around Cassie’s shoulders. “I’m proposing forever. I was just giving my wife her real wedding ring.”

Sophia bent and picked up the diamond ring from the carpet. “What’s this?

“That?” Trent said. “That’s just a piece of junk.”

“Trent,” Cassie cried. “That ring—”

“Means nothing to me,” he cut in. Trent curled her fingers to his lips and kissed the band. “This ring belongs to you.” He smiled. “It’s grandfather’s gift to us.”