Welcome to the Cassadines: Book II of Kismet

Chapter Eleven

***Choices***

A few days passed before Andrèsj saw Leslie Lu. He wasn't sure if the meeting was intentional. He and Nikolas had decided to spend some time away from the Hotel and Nikolas' cottage was the best choice. Stefan knew where to find them if he wanted them and open air would help the brothers focus. Besides, the waiting was driving them crazy and Nikolas was becoming more agitated. Andrèsj worried and hoped that on this outing, Nikolas would trust him enough to confide whatever bothered him.

Andrèsj went upstairs to relieve himself and when he came back down, he found Leslie Lu on the sofa with her back to him. Silky brown hair rested on her shoulders. She sat with her back straight, an air of sophistication surrounded her. He could stand like that for hours, just watching her. Taking that first step would make her real. And her rejection of him a cold, biting reality.

Her head turn and in the next moment, she stood and faced him. A faint smile came to her rosy lips. "Hi."

"Good day," he said, hoping for polite reservation. "Nikolas is here somewhere..."

She shook her head. "When I came in, he was heading for the stables. I tried to get him to talk, but he said that he had to tend to Sheba first. He told me to wait for him here."

"Did he tell you I was here?"

She plucked at the hem of her pink blouse. Her lashes lowered, fanning her porcelain cheeks. "Yeah. He told me."

Andrèsj didn't know what to say to that. Women were an enigma. Never would he understand them, and right now, he didn't even want to try. He averted his gaze and stepped down into the living area. Moving around the room, he looked at various pieces of art and books. He felt her stare, but didn't want to face it.

"I'm sorry about the other day," she said as the silence wore on. "I was at the park, but then my dad showed up... We argued and I left. I should have apologized by now, but everything else happened... Drè, please forgive me."

The ice around his heart began to melt. He slowly turned to face her. "Your father would not be pleased to hear you ask me for forgiveness."

"I don't care about what pleases my father," Leslie Lu said. "I do care that I may have hurt you, and I'm sorry if I did."

Something caught in his throat. He swallowed hard. "I am fine as you can see."

"I'd like to make up for it," she said quickly. "I know this is a bad time because of your aunt... We don't have to do anything huge. Maybe grab something to eat or watch videos at my place."

Drè frowned. "Would your father be there?"

"He doesn't live with us anymore," she answered. "And if I ask my mom to give us some privacy, she will. Would you like to...hang out with me?"

A faint smile came to his lips. "I suppose I would."

***

"This is a pleasant surprise." Dara smiled as Mac entered her office. He carried a huge bouquet of flowers and gallantly handed them to her. "The flowers are beautiful. You didn't have to, but I like them so I guess I'll keep them. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Did I come at a bad time?" he asked, nodding toward the numerous files on her desk.

Dara's law practice had just opened, but clients in search of legal assistance had beaten a path to her door. She loved having so much business and especially relished the necessity to refuse a few cases. Since everything was in the beginning stages, there weren't too many deadlines she had to worry about. She closed the open files and pointed to a guest chair. "Have a seat."