Page 99 of The Jealous Girl

I let out a sigh as I turned back to the computer.

It was so unfair.

At least in Malta the heat had been different. I groaned wistfully as I recalled the air-conditioned lobby of the hotel there. Clean and fresh. With absolutely no horses.

A burst of laughter filtered in from the stalls.

I froze, my fingers resting on the worn keyboard as my gaze drifted towards the open office door, following the vaguely familiar sound.

Ryan’s laugh. Rich. Loud. Unrestrained.

I hadn’t heard him laugh like that in weeks. Not since we’d arrived in Dorset. And certainly not when he was with me.

I pushed my chair back and moved towards the door.

Charlotte and Ryan stood beside Atlas’s stall. Her hand rested lightly on his forearm as laughter erupted from him.

They were standing so close to each other. Too close.

I took a step forward, impulsively wanting to intervene. To separate them. To remind him of my presence. My existence.

I hesitated. My gaze dropped to my dress, damp and clinging.

Charlotte shot a glance back over her shoulder, staring straight at me.

Realisation hit me. This was for my benefit. She’d known I would hear them from the office. That I would be jealous.

I turned quickly and slipped back behind my desk. But it was too late.

We both knew she’d won.

‘What are you having?’ Ryan asked, breaking into my thoughts.

‘Oh, erm…’ I tried to focus on the menu.

‘Chicken, like usual?’

Charlotte’s eyebrows lifted. ‘You always have the same thing?’

I felt a prickle of embarrassment.

‘Actually, I think I’ll have the beef.’

Ryan shrugged. ‘Okay.’

Martin pushed his chair back. ‘Right then, shall we order at the bar, son?’

Ryan nodded and followed behind.

I stared at his departing back for a moment, before my gaze shifted back to the table. Charlotte and Denise were staring straight at me.

Why hadn’t I offered to go with the men?

‘It’s sweet,’ Charlotte said.

My brow furrowed. ‘What is?’

‘This.’ She gestured around the table. ‘You trying.’