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“Enough,” Gabriella said with affectionate exasperation, ruffling Asher’s hair as though soothing a petulant child. “Planning these things together is half the fun, isn’t it? Besides, it’s Saturday–don’t your poor assistants deserve a day off too?”
Asher made a noncommittal sound against her skin and continued his leisurely exploration.
This was becoming rather dangerous territory. Gabriella firmly pushed him away. “That’s quite enough of that. I’ve nearly finished the planning anyway–let’s go shopping for supplies instead.”
Asher lifted his gaze to meet hers, and for a fleeting moment, Gabriella could have sworn she glimpsed something akin to disappointment in his eyes.
She blinked in surprise.
Had she imagined it? Had the impossibly composed Asher Blackwood actually looked wounded because she’d rebuffed his advances?
She’d only pushed him away a few times. Surely he wasn’t actually sulking?
No, she must have been mistaken. Someone like Asher would never appear so vulnerable.
That afternoon, they visited an outdoor equipment shop to purchase hiking gear, then went to a supermarket for fruits and snacks.
Gabriella was in high spirits, wanting to buy a bit of everything that caught her fancy.
per
Asher didn’t object in the slightest–what did it matter if their packs were a touch heavier? He’d be the one carrying most of it anyway. As long as Gabriella was happy, he could endure a bit of extra weight.
Gabriella snapped photos of their purchases and sent them to the group chat she shared with Charlotte and Victoria.
[Ladies, there’s a meteor shower tomorrow night. Shall we go to South Downs together to watch? I’ve already sorted the supplies.]
Victoria responded immediately: [BrilGabbynt! Count me in!]
Charlotte replied: [Absolutely.]
Victoria sent another message: [I’m going to drag Sebastian out for hiking gear straightaway! I’m thinking all black–you’ll both help me get that perfect Instagram hiking pose, won’t you? I’m planning one of those transformation videos–I’ll film the first bit in my pajamas today, then do the matching pose when
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we’re there!]
Gabriella: [No problem! Top–tier photographer at your service.]
Charlotte: [I’ll ask James if he fancies joining us.]
Gabriella: [Meet outside my Tribeca flat at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon.]
Charlotte: [Perfect.]
Victoria: [See you then!]
The following afternoon at precisely one o’clock, Asher knocked on Gabriella’s apartment door.
When she opened it, her face was free of makeup yet radiantly beautiful. Her eyes crinkled as she smiled. “You’re here.”
Gabriella had changed into a light blue hiking outfit and carried a matching blue backpack
Asher wore a black high–necked windbreaker.
The dark color complemented his natural demeanor perfectly, accentuating his cool, aloof presence and making his striking features appear even more defined and aristocratic.
He naturally took Gabriella’s backpack from her. “Ready? They’re waiting downstairs.”
“Is everyone here already?”
“James, Sebastian, Charlotte, and Victoria have arrived,” Asher replied. “Grace said she’s going ahead with some friends. She’ll meet us at the camping site.”
Gabriella followed Asher into the lift, responding with a soft “Oh.”
Downstairs, three cars were waiting
Charlotte and James sat in the back of a Maybach. Charlotte offered Gabriella a sweet smile. “Gabby!”
Victoria waved excitedly from the passenger window of a black Bentley, punching the air enthusiastically. “All present and accounted for! Let’s go! Meteor shower, here we come!”
Asher had brought his black Rolls–Royce Cullinan for the occasion.
The convoy headed southward, reaching the camping grounds just over an hour later.
The campsite was located at Devil’s Dyke in South Downs National Park, offering a perfect vantage point from its elevated position.
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When Gabriella’s group arrived, Grace and her friends had only just gotten there themselves.
Asher had reserved the entire area for their private use–there would be no other visitors today.
As soon as their car came to a stop, Grace rushed over, attempting to take Asher’s arm.
Asher smoothly sidestepped her.
Grace faltered momentarily before pretending nothing had happened. With a bright smile, she said, “Brother, you’re here!”
Asher responded with a cool “Mmın.”
When Grace turned to look at Gabriella, her smile faded slightly. She greeted her with forced politeness; “Gabriella.”
Gabriella acknowledged her with the slightest of nods.
Behind Grace stood two unfamiGabbyr young women. Grace introduced them: “These are my friends, Vanessa Miller and Eliza Bennett.”
“Oh, and Eliza brought someone along. Let me introduce you,” Grace continued. She turned and called out, “Drake! They’ve arrived.”
Drake?
Gabriella’s heart stuttered.
Surely not…
Before she could complete the thought, that all–too–famiGabbyr face appeared before everyone.
Drake Ashcroft stood there in a smoke gray windbreaker, holding a hiking pole, walking directly toward
them.
Asher’s brow furrowed as he turned to Grace, his eyes filled with questioning reproach. His voice carried unmistakable displeasure: “Since when have you been acquainted with Drake Ashcroft?”
Grace blinked her bright, clear eyes, the picture of innocent confusion–a perfect portrait of a blameless ingénue.
“Drake is Eliza’s friend. Eliza asked if she could bring someone along, and I said yes. I only just met today when Eliza brought him. Is there a problem, brother?”
Gabriella had been pressing her lips together in silence, pretending not to recognize Drake.
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Drake, however, smiled meaningfully and greeted her directly: “Gabriella, it’s been a while.”
Grace looked at Gabriella with exaggerated surprise. “Gabriella, you know each other?”
“No.” Gabriella said flatly.
“Yes,” Drake answered simultaneously.
Grace exchanged a glance with Eliza, who immediately picked up the cue. In a syrupy voice, she asked, “Drake, what’s your relationship with Gabriella? I’ve never heard you mention knowing her before.”
Drake smiled, giving Gabriella a pointed look before casually stating: “Ex–girlfriend.”
“Oh my!” Grace exclaimed with theatrical surprise, turning to Gabriella with wide eyes. “Gabriella, you were actually Drake’s ex–girlfriend? I’m terribly sorry–I had no idea you two had history! Had I known, I never would have allowed him to join us.”
Gabriella understood immediately.
If the incident at the riding grounds could be dismissed as a misunderstanding, this was surely no
coincidence.
Eliza pouted, pretending to be jealous. “Hmph, Drake, did you deliberately arrange this hiking trip just to see your ex–girlfriend again?”
Drake merely smiled without answering, which everyone interpreted as tacit confirmation.
The atmosphere suddenly became markedly tense.
Victoria sidled up to Gabriella, gently tugging at her sleeve. “Is that really your ex?” she whispered.
Gabriella gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Victoria crossed her arms. “Bloody hell, this Grace Bennett is clearly doing this deliberately.”
Gabriella watched coldly as the little drama unfolded before her.
Coincidence? She didn’t believe it for a second.
At the last party Alexander had hosted for her at the Sterling estate, Drake had caused quite a scene. Though Grace hadn’t attended, as the Blackwood ward, she would certainly have heard the gossip circulating in their social circles.
Grace bringing Drake here was almost certainly deliberate.
But what was her purpose?
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As Gabriella was pondering this, someone took her hand.
