All the while I’ve been trying to figure out how to word my curiosity without appearing like I’m intruding, but my tact leaves a lot to be desired.
I slow Maverick down so we’re side by side with Miles and Calamity, something I’ve been doing a lot, because Maverick likes to be in front.
“With Claudia, you lied to her so easily about us being married, then Agatha . . .” Actually, I have no idea what that was. “But with Eddie, you didn’t like lying to him.”
A wry smile forms on Miles’s lips. “I’m that obvious?”
“I’d happily play poker against you if that’s what you mean?—”
“I’m excellent at poker.” He smirks, but his smile drops. “My dad died when I was little, and Eddie’s been a father figure of sorts . . . for all of us, to be honest. He’s the one I would turn to when Lando or Al were being dicks. You’re right, I didn’t like lying to him.”
“Then why didn’t you tell him the truth?”
He shrugs, but I know why. We did something illegal, and the fewer people who know, the better. We have to make this marriage look believable.
“Why do you love polo?”
He laughs. “What’s with the twenty questions?”
“Just double-checking you’re really not the asshole I thought you were.” I grin, making him laugh louder.
“Why doyoulove polo?”
“I asked you first.”
“On three?” He stops Calamity, so Maverick pulls up too. His eyes widen, waiting for my agreement. “One . . . two . . . three.”
“Speed,” we both shout at the same time, and based on Miles’s expression, I guess he wasn’t expecting that response.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I thought going fast and being able to control a ponyanda ball would impress my dad . . .” My voice drifts off.Why the heck did I just share that?
“And did it?”
I shake my head. “Not much impresses him.”
Miles clicks his tongue, and Calamity starts off again. Maverick inches ahead.
“My dad was an excellent polo player. I used to spend all my time at Foxleigh with him, watching him. He was the first person to teach me. He’s the reason I want to make Foxleigh Park great.” He looks over at me, and I’m too late in getting my face back to neutral instead of the sadness I feel from Miles. And before he says anything, I already know this conversation is over. “Come on, let’s shift gears. You want speed? I’ll race you back to the stables.”
He takes off before Maverick and I get the chance to react, but we’re soon hot on their heels. All I can hear is his raucous laughing, and it sets me off. Galloping while you’re laughing so hard your belly aches is probably not in the Polo 101 manual.
But I can’t deny that I’m enjoying myself way more than I initially thought I would.
Nor is Miles Burlington the asshole I originally thought.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
CHAPTER 13
Miles
ALEX: Heard you’ve been making out with your new wife.
MILES: I’m sure you did.
CLEM: When are we going to meet her?
