Page 22 of In Full Bloom

She looks up then, confused. “What do you mean?”

I shake my head. “I can’t even explain it. Everyone seems to think he’s God’s gift to man, but none of you are seeing that he thinks that too, about himself. He’s so arrogant and frustrating and … irritating.”

“You’re right. You’re seeing a totally different side to him. Arrogant is not a word I’deveruse to describe him. He’s totally down to earth, cares about nothing except doing a good job and looking after Sadie. He’s great at his job and an even better dad.” She’s not looking at me as she speaks, but out across the water, a funny smile on her face.

“Liv,” I say, not sure I want to ask the question I’m about to, but I have to know. “Are you into Dallas?”

She blinks—once, twice, three times—and turns to face me. “No,” she says, but I’m not sure it’s the actual truth or she’s in denial. “He’s a great guy and an excellent farm manager and I absolutely am not interested in him in any form other than professionally.”

“Sounds like you’re protesting a little much,” I say, teasing. But underneath I’m panicking.

I haven’t told her about my one-night stand with a random stranger who turned out to be my boss. I haven’t told her about it at all, let alone that the guy was Dallas. If she’s into him, I’m going to have to come clean, but that could mess everything up for them before they even have the chance to start something.

“It’s okay, Katie,” Olivia says, standing and reaching out to take my hand. I let her pull me to my feet. “I promise I’m not into him.”

“Why are you promising me?”

She shrugs. “I don’t want you thinking I’m into him and it getting in your way.”

“In my way?” I splutter. What the hell is she talking about? Does sheknow? Oh, my god. If hetoldher, I’m going to throttle him.

She gives me a coy smile and turns away, making her way back around the edge of the lake, leaving me standing, dumbstruck under a tree.

“All I’m saying,” she calls back over her shoulder, “is maybe there’s a reason you find him so …irritating.” She giggles and sprints away as I chase after her.

“No, no, no, no,” I say when I catch up to her, grabbing her around the waist. “Absolutely fucking not.”

She pinches my cheek. “Who’s protesting too much now?”

Ah, shit.

12

DALLAS

I’m pacing.

Which is weird, because I should not be this concerned about a woman that clearly hates me.

But Katie dropped the bombshell about her ex—Max’s twin—dying, then ran from the building. I tried to follow her once my brain caught up with the situation, but she’d already disappeared.

Then I realised she probably wouldn’t want me to find her anyway, so I called Olivia.

It was the weirdest conversation of my life, but I couldn’t leave Katie upset like that. If she’s mad at me for telling Olivia then I’ll deal with that later. It’s not like she could hate me more than she already does.

I’m at the barn, waiting for Flynn, one of the farm hands, to arrive with a new horse. He’s been away for a couple of weeks visiting friends up north and Olivia arranged for him to pick up the horse on his way back to the farm. We weren’t expectinghim back for another two days, but I’m glad his arrival is providing a distraction from the rest of today.

Flynn and Olivia go way back, having known each other most of their lives like everyone else who’s grown up in this town. From the stories I’ve heard, their parents were best friends.

Flynn’s been working here longer than I have. From what I’ve gathered he started here full-time right after he left school, and was working here during holidays and weekends before then.

I can’t understand why he didn’t get the manager job I ended up with.

Flynn is hardworking and motivated and knows this farm inside out. But for some reason Henry wanted someone older, more experienced. I never had the chance to ask him why Flynn wasn’t the perfect choice for the job. It can’t just be his age, because Olivia is now running this place and she’s the same age as Flynn.

When I called Olivia, she asked me to come down to the barn and meet him while she went searching for Katie.

I wish I’d just found Katie myself and faced her wrath because this waiting is giving me too much time to think.

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