Page 26 of Time To Learn

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

I open my mouth, about to answer, when Laura facesus.

“I’m sorry,” she says as she extends her hand to my aunt. “Laura Turley. I run New Beginningswith my mother, Wenn.”

“Oh, it’s lovely to meet you,” Lise smiles warmly at her and grips her hand. “I have an appointment with her today. I hope we didn’t intrude?”

“Not at all.” Laura smiles at her. “We were done with our morning session anyway. Mum is probably in the office, getting ready for you. I’ll take you toher.”

As Laura steps away and around me, I frown, annoyed that she doesn’t exactly acknowledge my presence.

Women.

I trail after both of them as they walk back to our car, only half listening to their chat. The sun beats down on my head, and I breathe in relief when we enter the stables. The temperature is a bit cooler here, and I blink, trying to get accustomed to the shadows filling my vision. Without meaning to, I bump into Laura in front ofme.

“Oomph,” she gasps.

Instinctively, I place my hands on her arms, steadyingher.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble as she tenses beneath my fingers. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” I release her at once when she turns her head a little, meeting mygaze.

The fear that slams into me, almost making my breath hitch, is the last thing I expected tosee.

“It’s okay,” she mumbles before she takes a step further inside. “The office is this way,” she explains to Lise. Frowning, I put my hands in the pockets of my jeans as I follow them. My aunt gives me a pensive look over her shoulder, and I shrug, just as nonplussed as she is about Laura’s strange reaction.

“Mum, your appointment is here,” she says as she opens the door down the other end of the stable. As we come closer, a short woman with long, grey hair comes intoview.

“Ah, great. I thought I heard a car, but then I had to take a call.” She smiles at Lise. “Welcome to New Beginnings, Lise.”

As they shake hands, her eyes wander to me, and I smile politely at her when hers widen at the sight of mytats.

I’m used to all kinds of looks from people when they see my ink for the first time, so it doesn’t sting much when her grey eyes turn cautious.

Good thing she can’t see my pierced cock, or hell would break loose.

“Thank you,” Lise says, bringing Wenn’s attention back to her. “I’ve been like a child at Christmas the last couple of days, excited to meetyou.”

Wenn smiles warmly at her, and my lips twitch with amusement at the girly eagerness in Lise’s voice.

“Well, let’s get to know each other, then,” Wenn says as they walk into the office.

I hesitate when Laura walks in the opposite direction, back to where we camefrom.

“Aren’t you joining us?” Wenn calls afterher.

She slows down, glancing briefly at her. Again, she avoids my eyes, and I clench my teeth as it makes me feel as if I’m wearing an invisibility cloak or something. Her evasiveness is seriously starting to piss meoff.

“I have to make sure Ailith is okay,” Laura calls back and resumes walking.

“But…” Wenn’s protest falls on deaf ears, because Laura is already gone. “Well, then. I guess it’s just the three of us.” With her hand, she indicates for me to follow her, and, unable to come up with an excuse, I walk inside, shutting the door behindme.

* * *

Laura

Three times in threedays.

“This is crazy,” I mutter, kicking at the dust as I walk back to the paddock. “It’s just serendipity playing tricks on me. Oh God, and now I sound completely off myhead.”