Page 27 of Verdict

Farrah and Addison were easier to sway. They both smiled and moved on to other topics.

Thank God.

Because if Aria pushed any harder, I wasn’t sure I could keep lying—with a straight face or otherwise.

After lunch with the girls, I was itching to get back to Ellie, but I’d promised Addison I’d help with a few things around her farm since her barn manager, Levi, wasn’t feeling well.

I knew Cohen had everything under control—he’d assured me of that after each of my twenty-five text messages.

Addison glanced over at me from the driver’s seat. “Mom’s going to come hang out with us for a bit before you head back home.” We’d left my car at her farm and driven to lunch together.

I smiled and nodded. “Awesome. I was planning to swing by their place anyway, so this saves me the trip.”

We arrived at Mountain Laurel Farm after a short ten-minute drive from the restaurant. The long driveway stretched ahead of us, and white fencing lined the pastures as we approached the barn. Horses grazed peacefully against the rolling hills.

Addison’s barn was picturesque—white walls accented with pale stone, topped with a black metal roof that caught the light like polished steel. Each stall had its own window with crisp black shutters, a few horses with their heads popped out, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Flower beds bloomed along the base of the barn, adding a vibrant splash of color.

Once Addison parked, I ducked into her office to pump before getting started on chores. By the time I finished, our mom had arrived.

She and Addison were cleaning stalls when I made my way down the long aisle. I leaned against the open stall door where Addison was working. “You really need to get more help around here,” I said with a laugh. “You’ve got Mom cleaning stalls.”

“It’s good exercise!” my mom called from the stall over.

“I’m working on it,” Addison said defensively, shoveling dirty shavings into a wheelbarrow. “It’s hard to find reliable guys, okay?”

“I’m just giving you a hard time.” I smiled. “What can I do to help?”

Addison stopped and leaned on her pitchfork, brushing a few loose strands from her face. “Can you pull Bentley’s mane? I haven’t had the chance since I got him, and it’s a mess.”

Bentley was Addison’s new young gelding—the one she’d let me ride earlier. He was only five, with endless scope and the kind of raw potential that made you pay attention. He was her new jumper prospect. The jumper ring wasn’t really my thing. I preferred hunters. But I’d make an exception for him. Bentley was a gorgeous dapple gray with a thick black mane and tail.

I nodded. “Sure thing.”

Once I had him settled in the cross-ties, I grabbed a pulling comb and got to work. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps and glanced over my shoulder to find my mom watching me.

“How’s our Ellie girl doing?” she asked, holding out a cookie that Bentley accepted eagerly. “You doing okay leaving her for the day?”

My mom was a horse person through and through—the reason our entire family rode. We’d always had horses growing up. She and my dad didn’t own any anymore, but she came out to Addison’s farm often, just to be around them, and sometimes to ride.

“I’m okay,” I said with a small shrug. “It’s hard to leave her, but Cohen’s got it handled.” I pulled my attention away from Bentley’s mane and onto my mom. “I’m sure he’s completely over me today, though. I’ve been blowing up his phone nonstop.” I laughed.

My mom smiled softly. “I’m sure he expected it.” She paused, then added gently, “You’re a really good mom, Ava. It shows. I’m proud of you.”

Something in me eased. Funny how, even now, I still wanted to make my parents proud.

“Cohen’s a good guy,” she continued. “How are things between the two of you?”

I knew she was fishing. She’d love for Cohen and me to end up together; she adored him. It sometimes felt like I was disappointing her by not trying to make it work.

But he didn’t want me. Not like that. Cohen didn’t do serious, he did hookups.

Plus, I was the girl before the girl—the one you dated before you settled down. Always had been.

And Cohen? He was the male version of that.

We’d never work. I was never anyone’s first choice. And he never chose anyone at all.

I flashed her a smile before turning my focus back to Bentley’s mane. “Things are fine,” I said, unconvincingly. “We’re friends.”