Chapter 4
Ready to tackle the challenge, I showed up at
the stables, changed into my riding gear, and
confidently followed my coach to the arena.
And then… I deflated.
Icovered my face and neoked through my
I covered my face and peeked through my
fingers at Jake Evans, effortlessly riding his
horse across the arena. I wanted to slam my
head against the wall.
Seriously?! I couldn’t even take a riding lesson
without running into him? How small was this
damn world?
I tried to stay out of sight, which meant I
spaced out while the coach was explaining the
basics.
As a result, the first time I got on the horse, I
was all nerves and jitters, and I spooked it.
The coach quickly calmed the horse down, but my legs were shaking so badly I couldn’t
continue.
He told me to get off and take a break.
I wobbled toward the lounge, using the wall for
<
support, when I heard footsteps behind me.
I looked over my shoulder.
It was Jake.
He stopped beside me.
He was wearing his riding gear, a whip in his
hand, his posture perfect, his eyes icy.
It was the first time we’d seen each other face-
to–face in three years.
My mind went blank.
Jake stared at me for a long moment, then
scoffed.
“Olivia, you stalk me, provoke me, then block
me? You’re really outdoing yourself.” His
expression was a mix of amusement and
simmering rage.
Г
My knees almost buckled.
I tried to explain, but he just kept walking,
leaving me with one last comment.
“You better be ready. It’s payback time.”
