My eyebrows rose. They’d already introduced themselves.Great.
“Well, come on in. Cassidy hasn’t had a friend over in years.”
“That’s because I grew up in LA, Dad.” I didn’t disguise the bitterness in my voice as I side-swiped Adam with my glare. “So I don’thaveany friends here.”
“Yes, well, it’s nice all the same,” Dad muttered on his way to the kitchen.
“That was harsh,” Adam whispered once my father was out of earshot.
“Since when do you care about other people’s feelings?” I retorted before whirling around and storming back to my bedroom. I didn’t have the time to argue with someone who knew nothing about my situation. Plus, the car wasn’t going to pack itself.
“Finn hasn’t stopped raving about that house in the Hamptons,” I heard my father say after two beers fizzed open.
“It’s definitely impressive. My grandparents cared for the property deeply.”
“I’m very sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing. Cassidy was very fond of him.”
My hands slowed as I taped up the last box.
“Thank you. She was very dear to him, too.” His voice grew raspy. “It’s been a tough time for everyone.”
I gnashed my teeth, mentally trying to sever the connection between us. Even after three weeks apart, I could feel him. His energy sought me out and pulled me in, like that first night in the bar. I had to put distance between us—pronto.
“What sort of work do you do, Adam?”
Growing impatient listening to their casual conversation through the thin walls, I lifted the box and carried it down the hall.
“I manage a portfolio of media businesses,” he said without too much thought, but it was a well-rehearsed lie.
“Actually…” I dumped the box next to the others. “Adam buys failing companies, callously strips them apart until they’re making the most amount of money with the least amount of overheads, then either sells them or merges them, depending on what side of the bed he woke up on that morning.”
Adam’s mouth fell open. “That’s not…completely true.”
My brow rose as I stared him down.
“Sounds like you’re a sharp shooter.” Dad sipped his beer. “I like it.”
With the roll of my eyes, I swiped my car keys off the kitchen counter.
“Where are you going?” Adam rested his beer on the coffee table as he stood.
“I’m packing the car,” I grumbled before lifting the largest box into my arms.
He rushed to my side. “Here, let me help.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got it.”
“You’re really in a rush to get me out of here, aren’t you?” He picked up another box and followed me outside.
I met his sparkling blue, make-me-forget-my-own-name eyes and popped the trunk. “You shouldn’t be here,” I said, sliding the box inside.
“Cass, I just want to tal—wait.” He frowned at my car. “You’re driving across the country in this?”
I pulled the box out of his hands and positioned it beside the other. “We don’t all have private jets.”
“This isn’t safe.”
I crossed my arms as my lips pursed. “It got us here. It will get us home.”