Chapter 80

“Sorry,” I say, blinking at him and blushing again. “Um, can you repeat that?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says, laughing a little and holding up a hand to help me dismount. “Come on, let’s let Heathcliff get his rest.”

I nod and take Jerome’s hand, swinging my right leg over Heathcliff’s withers and hopping down, my butt sliding against the saddle as I go. Much more elegant a dismount, I think, then the time Kent had helped me down and my butt had slid against him as I’d almost fallen.

Still, I remember, just for a moment, the feeling of Kent’s hands on my waist.

Distracting myself from the thought, I grin up at Jerome. “I think I’m getting better at this,” I say, genuinely proud of myself.

“You’re doing great, Fay,” he says, his eyes lingering on my face a little. Then he clears his throat and looks towards the barn, tugging on Heathcliff’s halter to ask him to walk forward. “We’ll get you racing in no time.”

I walk alongside Jerome, happily chatting with him as we get Heathcliff back into his stall, unsaddled, and ready for his afternoon of peace and quiet.

I have to admit, there is something comforting about being with Jerome. Unlike Kent, I’m never worried about what mood he’s in today or how I’m going to pay the consequences of that mood. And unlike Daniel, there’s...well, there’s a bit of a spark, really.

Daniel’s great, but it’s all books and philosophy and plans for escaping this life. There’s nothing romantic there, not anymore, which...well, which gets a little boring.

Jerome, though? I bite my lip, watching him lift the saddle up onto its spot on the wall, his arms swelling with the effort, a little bit of sweat on his brow.

A cute guy who likes horses and, apparently, likes me too?

Maybe there’s something here after all. Something worth thinking about, at least.

I’m still buzzing with joy as Jerome pulls back onto Kent’s property. Jerome and I talked easily the whole way home, him telling me about his years in the rodeo circuit, and then some other years rustling cattle out West.

It sounded amazing, like a dream, and there wasn’t enough time to get all of my questions answered by the time we were home. I almost regretted it, as we pulled into the garage.

“Can you come next time?” I ask Jerome as we climb out of the car, my eyes shining.

He smiles at me as we walk towards the door to the house. “I’ll go as often as Kent lets me, Fay,” he says. Just before we walk through the door into the house, though, Jerome grabs my arm, hesitating. Apparently, he wants a moment together while we’re still alone.

Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father Chapter 0079 “I, uh...” he says, glancing at the door. I glance at it as well. Then he takes a step closer to me. “I had a really nice time with you today, Fay,” he says, his face quite close to mine now.

“I did too,” I say, my stomach doing a little somersault. We stand there for a moment, smiling at each other, before the door opens.

Jerome is moving before I even realize what is happening, heading towards the house, giving Kent – who is standing there – a nod.

Kent watches Jerome carefully as he walks past, not saying a word. Then, Kent slowly turns his gaze to me. I just stare at him, my eyes wide and my face blank.

“Well, Fay?” Kent asks, crossing his arms across his chest. “Did you have a nice time?” He glances after Jerome again.

“Yes,” I say, smoothing my hands over my tight riding pants. “It was...really nice. Thank you. For letting Jerome take me.”

Kent just nods and then pulls something from his back pocket. “You have mail,” he says, holding out a little square envelope.

Curious, I come forward and take it. There’s no address on the front – just my name.

“Delivered by hand,” Kent explains. “Apparently, it’s an invitation for tonight. The messenger is still here,” Kent says, looking towards the front door.

“Waiting for your reply.”

Quickly, I open the envelope, raising my eyebrows at what I see inside.