andice's hand. "So, spill. Are you and t

ongue. "We were never 'on,' Etta. It was a busin

t up. "Seriously? But the whole city h

andice said, setting the glass

ng with fresh gossip. "Is it because o

ench. The image of Amina's smug

don't worry about her. She's just some political advisor. The Hansen

itter, silent laugh

asked, forcing a casual tone. She needed

"She's working for some senator, apparently. Been seen at a few

place. It was all happening

reston trotted his horse over to the sidelines, his face flushed and

nto the soft turf. "Candice. I'm glad you could make it."

Etta was pushing her fo

practice area. Preston came up behind her, placing his ha

his voice close to her ear. His body was

around her. The memory of his possessiveness, his anger w

elf away from him

rupt she stumbled, nea

hands frozen in mid-air. "

" she snapped, her voice

er, embarrassed and confused. Etta rushed over, shooting Candice a lo

d. A pang of guilt hit her, but she pushed it down. It

water," she told Etta, and walked away from the

alming. She leaned against a whit

to a post. As she watched, a stable hand accidentally dropp

ing in the air. It let out a terrified whinny and, in its