Page 51 of The Romantic Agenda

“Not exactly. I’ll tell you later.”

It’ll be easier for Malcolm to let go if Joy steps back. They function the way they do because she almost always goes along with his plans. If she stays behind, nothing will be ruined. In fact, this is probably the most helpful thing she could do. He’ll get to spend time with Summer alone.

Joy doesn’t like this. She doesn’t want to have to do this. It burns her up inside like an uncontrollable wildfire to give up, to step aside, but this is what she said she would do. Being stubborn and selfish won’t help either of them.

At least now she isn’t going to be alone. For the second time in as many days, she’s glad Fox is there with her. Questionable setup situation be damned.

“Joy?” Savannah is gesturing for her to rejoin them. She points to the first stable. “This is Molly. You’ll be riding with her today.”

Oh, she’sbeautiful.Brown with patches of black, she eats treatsout of Joy’s hand and nuzzles her face for more when they’re gone. One look into Molly’s giant dark brown eyes almost changes her mind. It physically pains her to say, “I think I’m too scared to ride. I don’t want her to feel my bad vibes. But rumor, and your website, has it there’s an open barn and petting zoo around here? With animals in need of scritches, which I happen to be fantastic at giving.”

“Yes. Most of them are pretty friendly.” Savannah laughs and gives her directions for where to find them.

“You’re not coming with us?” Summer asks, helmet already on. Fox is standing next to her.

“Nope.”

Malcolm says, “Joy, cut it out.”

“I’m serious. I read there are rabbits here.”

“There are,” Savannah says.

“Ineedto see them.”

“We can do that after,” he promises.

Not according to the agenda. The schedule is skintight today with barely more than a couple of hours between Fable’s and a trip to a vineyard for lunch. He won’t be willing to show up late for that. Unless it’s for something Summer wants.

Joy tries to communicate with her eyes:This is what you asked for this is me being supportive you’re welcome. “You two have fun, okay?”

“Two?”

Fox clears his throat. “I’m going to stay with Joy.”

Summer’s alarmed, “What? Why?” startles one of the horses—a small white mare with a blonde mane. Savannah soothes her with some apple slices.

“To keep her company.”

“But you love riding.”

“It’s fine. You go with Malcolm. I’ll stay with Joy. We’ll meet back up later.”

Summer wilts like a plant turning away from the sun. “Oh. Okay, then.”

Joy blinks at her. That wasn’t the reaction she’d been expecting or hoping for. Didn’t she want to be alone with Malcolm?

“Flower time,” Fox mutters under his breath before raising his voice. “See you guys at lunch.” Then, he wraps his arm around Joy’s shoulders. He doesn’t pull her closer or press down with any semblance of pressure. His arm delicately encircles her like a light scarf. “Ready?”

“Ready.” Joy giggles with utter delight. He’s hovering for show, and it absolutely tickles her. Right there on the spot, Joy decides to meet him halfway. She grabs his arm, pulling it tighter around her. “And we’re off.”

They walk away together, neither of them looking back. The dirt trail leading away from the stables begins to incline upward. Once they reach the crest of the hill Joy says, “I think we’re in the clear.”

Fox nods, dropping his arm. The promised structure is still a small rectangle in the distance. “Did something happen?”

Joy nods. She tells him about her conversation with Malcolm, the way her reverse confession backfired, and the aftermath.

“Hmm.” Fox considers her for several heartbeats—and her imagination jumps the gun per usual.