Page 43 of Growing Into Love

Huh? What’s that mean?

Lisa laughs like that was the funniest thing she’s ever heard. “Okay, well I can take Gal from here,” she says, grabbing the reins. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow for training!”

“Nice to meet you,” I say and Lisa giggles again. I don’t know what I’m doing that’s so funny.

“Jeez, give the girl a break,” Cass says, grinning as we leave the stable.

“What are you on about?”

Cass raises an eyebrow. “You really don’t see it, do you.”

“See what?”

She shakes her head. “Come on. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. I wouldn’t,” she says raising a finger and flashing me that cheeky grin. “But I could.”

ELEVEN

CASS

I’m suddenly having a greaterappreciation for what Autumn and Winter said about Jaz being shy.

How could he not have noticed Lisa was mooning over him? Does he really not know how goddamn attractive he is? His chiseled jaw, those thick black curls, that proud nose, those luscious lips. I mean, Christ on a cracker, is he blind?

We arrive back at the Fairview and head to the hotel restaurant. It’s got enormous floor-to-ceiling windows with lots of potted plants, like a giant conservatory. The waiter hands us our menus and my stomach roars to life. I’m famished.

I order chicken with veggies and a side of pasta salad. I hope they have large portions here, like I’ve heard they do in America. I could eat an entire tureen of macaroni and cheese right now. Jaz orders a burger and a beer, and we sit in silence for a minute until the waiter brings us our drinks. I take a sip of my club soda and think about the champagne waiting for me in my room.

“Did they sort your room out yet?” I ask.

“Betty said it wouldn’t be until later this evening.”

Maybe Jaz and I can have a glass of champagne together. A fantasy springs to life in my mind, the two of us in the jacuzzi tub, his arms wrapped around me as the jets create delicious bubbles against our backs, humming through my thighs and—

My phone pings. It’s Zara again.

You never sent my room pic!

“Who’s that?” Jaz asks.

“David,” I say, grinning. This is rather fun, pretending Zara is my fake boyfriend. “I forgot to send him the room pic earlier.”

“Ah,” Jaz says, feigning sudden interest in his soup spoon. “Right. Does he, er, know I’m here with you?”

“Of course,” I say. “David knows everything.”

“Right,” Jaz says again.

I text Zara back.

Sorry, I’ll send when I get back to the room! At dinner with Jaz now. Don’t think he fancies David much.

HA!she replies.Too bad for Jaz. He had his chance. David sends you a selfie with lots of heart emojis and says you’ve got this princess, I believe in you.

David calls me princess?

I thought it was romantic. Too much?

A bit, I reply, smiling.

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