Page 64 of The Jealous Girl

I didn’t look up. Part of me hoped if I just ignored her long enough, she would just disappear.

She didn’t. I heard her footsteps cross the lobby, closing the space between us.

I stayed where I was, grateful for the reception desk between us.

‘Can I help you?’ I asked, without looking up. The words came out automatically, but they lacked my usual warmth.

‘Looks like you’ve had a busy morning,’ she said lightly.

I glanced up and shrugged. ‘It’s normal for this time of year.’

A beat passed between us. She didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

I frowned slightly, a strange feeling creeping in. She was waiting for me to ask why she was here. Or, indeed, ask how she even knew that I worked here.

I didn’t. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing her presence unsettled me.

Charlotte turned, surveying the lobby. The worn floorboards. The heavy furniture. The dim amber lighting that softened everything.

Her nose wrinkled. ‘It’s very⁠—’

‘I like it,’ I said, before she could finish.

Her eyes flickered back to me. ‘Of course you do.’ A small smile tugged at her lips. ‘It’s very you.’

I gritted my teeth. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ I cursed myself for rising to her bait. This is what she wanted. A reaction.

‘It’s very safe.’

I swallowed.

‘Unlike the stables,’ she continued. ‘That was always a little too adventurous for you, wasn’t it?’

I wanted to deny it, but the accuracy of her words dug into me.

Two Years Ago – Mid July

Charlotte was in the paddock, saddling a grey horse.

That was all I needed: Charlotte hanging around to witness my feeble attempts to ride. I glanced around, searching for Ryan. Maybe I could persuade him to send her away. They were always complaining how busy the stables were, it was silly for Charlotte to be wasting time here. Better yet, maybe I could persuade him he didn’t have time to waste giving me an unwanted riding lesson either…

‘He’s not coming.’ Charlotte’s words silenced the commentary in my head.

‘Oh.’ Relief flickered briefly. I didn’t need to talk Ryan out of this fiasco after all.

And, yet, it was instantly replaced with a familiar twinge of disappointment. Not because he’d missed our lesson. But because he’d bailed on me. Again.

I turned away, pushing that thought away as I headed back to the house.

‘Not so fast,’ Charlotte called after me. ‘Ryan asked me to give you your lesson instead.’

I swung back. ‘You?’ I stared at her in disbelief. ‘Ryan asked you to teach me?’

‘Yeah, I’m not thrilled about it either,’ she said with a roll of her eyes as she fastened a strap on the saddle. ‘But what can I do? He’s the boss.’

‘Well, thank you for the—’ I swallowed ‘—offer. But that’s okay. I’ll wait until Ryan has time to teach me himself.’

‘Why?’ she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice as she straightened up. ‘Too scared you’re going to embarrass yourself in front of me?’