Dating Mr. Darcy - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,51

with her. But it was scary, you know?”

“Starting a business?”

“Oh, yeah. I hated my job, but at least it was a regular paycheck with medical and dental.”

“So, there’s a lot riding on Timothy’s success.” He pets his horse and adds, “Pun intended.”

My mind turns to the size of my overdraft and the money Penny was lent by her aunt. “You could say that.”

I hear the sound of pounding hooves approaching us. Disconcerted, I look up to see Hayley atop a horse, bounding toward us. She clearly knows what she’s doing, confident and at ease on her horse, the orange orbs attached to her chest threatening to hit her in the face with each step. She pulls on the reins to bring her horse to a stop next to Sebastian.

“Hi there, you two,” she says with a bright smile as her horse stomps its feet and makes horsey sounds (sue me, I’m not a horse person). “What are you two doing all the way over here?”

Maybe it’s exhilaration from the ride, but I notice her eyes are slightly manic as they dart between us.

“We were just heading back, actually, Hayley,” Sebastian says, avoiding her question. He pulls on the reins and his horse breaks into a walk.

“Great!” she exclaims, her voice unnaturally high. “We’ve all been missing you, Sebastian. Me especially.”

“Thank you,” Sebastian replies. “Shall we return to the group?”

“That would be amazing.” Hayley gives him a broad smile which she drops when her eyes slide to mine. I swear, if looks could kill I’d be dead, buried, and strumming a harp on a cloud by now. She looks back at Sebastian and says, “Ride with me?”

“We should help Emma back. This is her first time on a horse.”

“Oh, I’m sure Emma has stolen you away for far too long already,” Hayley purrs. “Haven’t you, Emma?”

I open my mouth to reply when Sebastian beats me to it. “I would prefer it if she came with us, Hayley.”

I get another death stare from Hayley.

“It’s fine,” I say with a wave of my hand. “You two go. Marilyn and I are good.” I pet Marilyn and she makes a sound that I decide to interpret as agreement.

“If you’re certain?” Sebastian asks, and the look of concern for me on his face has me melting.

“Sure am.”

“Come on, Sebastian. I’m sure you’ve had enough of this learner trot. Let’s go for a decent gallop to blow those cobwebs away,” Hayley says.

Sebastian darts me a look and I nod and smile at him. He turns back to Hayley, and says, “Let’s go.”

I watch as they ride off together, side by side. They look like Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Bennet, out for a romantic ride together.

As I make my way back to the stables alone, my mind is filled with Sebastian and I realize I’m only now beginning to admit something to myself.

I like him. I really like him.

And the thought scares me half to death.

Chapter 17

“Tell us about your horse ride with Sebastian,” Cindy asks as I sit in a chair with bright lights shining on me, a camera catching my every look and word. My mic pack digs into my back, and I shift my position.

“It was great to get some one on one time with him, even though I wasn’t exactly confident on my horse. First time riding for me.”

“What did you talk about?”

“We talked about his job and Timothy. Timothy is my activewear label, not my boyfriend, in case you were wondering.”

“Have you developed any feelings for Sebastian?”

A small smile creeps across my face before I can stop it. Even though I’ve begun to, I don’t want to tell her about it. “He’s a great guy.”

“Can you expand on that? Start with ‘The way I feel about Sebastian is.’”

This is so natural.

“Sure. The way I feel about Sebastian is ... I like him. I didn’t think I would, but I do.”

“Why didn’t you think you’d like him?”

“Because he’s—”

“Begin with ‘I didn’t think I would like Sebastian because,’” Cindy says, much the way a mom says to her child for the four hundredth time that day.

“Right. I forgot. I didn’t think I would like Sebastian because he was so reserved when we first met, but now I’m getting to know him and I like him a lot more.”

Cindy gestures for me to continue, so I add, “Of course he’s super hot and charming, but he’s got a playful side to him, as well.”

“Like the time he read your note and told you he couldn’t