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“Christ. That’s a maze, isn’t it?”
“A hedge maze, yes. Casper’s grandfather designed it when he inherited the house.”
“I bet I could live the rest of my life off the interest these people earn in a day.”
Reggie doesn’t say anything, so I think I’m right, and I try not to think about that anymore because it makes me slightly nauseous.
On the terrace sits a cute, little round table draped in white cloth. Plates are set out on top of it, as well as cake stands and platters of tiny sandwiches.
A woman who must be in her late forties but doesn’t look a day over thirty struts out from inside, her long, flowy sage dress moving elegantly as she goes.
I’m so underdressed.
She looks somewhat like Casper with her dark hair and high cheekbones, only her pretty, pale eyes aren’t full of destruction.
She’s followed closely by a man so handsome it’s hard to look away. He kisses her on the cheek and sits down. Now he looks just like Casper. Same black hair and strong jaw, but his eyes are dark. This is the man who lets all the criminals run free.
“His parents are Flora and Frederick. They won’t like Mr and Mrs Hart.”
“Okay.”
That’s surprising. God, if I lived here, I would make everyone call me Lady Ainsley.
I get another side-eyed warning.
“Oh, Reggie, darling,” Flora says once she spots us approaching.
Frederick stands.
Reggie holds his arms out and embraces Casper’s mum. “Flora, I’ve missed you and those salmon sandwiches. This is my friend and colleague, Ainsley Miller.”
Colleague. He’s making us sound very professional, which we need to be. Which I will be from this second on.
Flora and Frederick turn to me, but my attention is pulled away from them the moment Casper walks outside. His eyes immediately find mine. There’s no need to look around for me, as per usual.
He scowls, and I stop breathing.
CHAPTERTHREE
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, once I’ve regained my composure. My pulse has other ideas and taps rapidly under my skin like a fly against a lightbulb.
“Lovely to meet you, too, Ainsley,” Frederick says, shaking my hand.
Casper is still staring at me, probably hoping it’ll make me trip or stumble over my words. I wish I could stop the physical reaction I have to him watching me—the pebbling of my skin and anxiety in my stomach, like I’m being stalked by a predator.
“Your house is amazing.Seriouslyamazing.”
Flora laughs gently, humble. “Thank you. Please, come and sit down. I thought we could have something to eat while we discuss the event.”
Something to eat to me is a few biscuits and a bowl of crisps.
If these people are loaded, why do they want to hand over this event to two twenty-one-year-old uni students? Clearly, they can afford an established event planner.
They know Reggie well, so it’s probably a favour to him.
“Thanks. This looks incredible. I’m drooling.”
I’m purposefully ignoring Casper, who still hasn’t looked away from me. His gaze makes me feel naked and vulnerable, which is his intention, I’m sure. He’ll love the power of intimidating me. I want to claw my skin off.
