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I chuckle, shaking my head. "No, I've never even seen one in person up close. But they'regorgeous.Majestic."
She seems to find that funny. "They can be, or seem to be. Most of ours are major goofs, though.” Her eyes widen. “Hey, you should come with me next time I visit!”
I gasp. "You're serious?"
Just like that, she’s offering to help make one of my dreams a reality.
Bex bobs her head up and down. “I can't do the kids' lessons anymore because they tend to be at times when I either have classes or study sessions, butI head over to my grandparents’ farm every other week. Come along.”
“Oh my god. You can’t mean that.”
We met about two seconds ago.
“Of course I do. It'll be nice to have company for the ride over. And we have a mare who's great for first-time riders. I’ll help you. I’m good with beginners.”
I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did, riding a horse would absolutely be at the top of it.I hadn't thought it possible for the foreseeable future. Experiences at stables cost an absolute fortune.
"How much would it cost? I'm happy to—”
"Oh, don’t be silly, you'll just be tagging along. My grandparents don't rent out their horses anyway. Let's exchange numbers, and I'll text you the next time I go—probably the Sunday after next, as I was there yesterday.”
I've never gotten my phone out that fast. She scans my QR code and quickly sends me a text so I have her number, too.
This party's not so bad after all.
The woman of the hour, Violet, emerges out of the pool like a mermaid, gorgeous as ever, in a tiny glittery bikini, and aims straight for us, still glistening with water. Dozens of gazes follow her strut, but she doesn't seem to care one way or another, completely at ease with the attention.
Her confidence should be bottled.
“Hey ladies! You aren't up for getting wet?"
I feel my cheeks heat as she winks at us. Violet Rothford's unapologetically sexual, aware of her effect on men, and happy to tease. We couldn't be more different if we tried. It's surprising we've become such good friends, given the fact that everything she does or says makes me want to hide behind a potted plant. But I admire her poise, her presence.
"In a minute," Bex replies. "We're chatting about horses."
"I haven't ridden in so long!" Violet pouts. To me, she says, "Her grandparents have the mostgorgeousvineyard and a farm up north. I think her grandmother imported them from Anderia when she immigrated. I've heard their horses are worth more than your average submarine."
“Anderia?” I say, intrigued.
The small European kingdom has been in the news a lot lately, since the old king passed away, and was replaced by his son, a twenty-seven-year-old heartthrob.
“Rebecca’s Anderian nobility,” Violet quips.
I half expect Bex to deny it, but she just rolls her eyes. “Like, my grandmother was an Honorable. It’s as low as you can be on the peerage. A two-generations-removed American is irrelevant to them. I don’t even get dual nationality, and I still have to request a visa when I want to visit.”
She says it all like it’s absolutely no big deal, although I’ve never even been out of thestate, let alone the continent. Meanwhile, she’s been to the most fashionable kingdom of the moment, and her grandmother happens to be part of theirpeerage.
I'm still shocked I get to breathe the same air as these people whenever I hear conversations of the sort. Bex seems normal enough; sweet, friendly. She certainly didn't seem to judge me for having a part-time job at the same time as studying.But they’re still from another universe.
"I just told Sarah she should tag along next time I drive up to the farm. You could come too," she says easily.
Violet's about to reply, when whatever she was going to say is cut off by a piercing shriek. Two strong hands grab her by the waist, fling her up, tossing her into the pool. She screams at her husband, who just laughs, watching her swim her way back out.
At first I tense, but it’s just her husband and Bex’s friend. I can't help but laugh a little as I watch them.
Until I feel pressure on my flank. My heart stops, then starts racing. My throat clogs up.
No, no, no, no—
