Whisper - Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Reunion at the Moon Crest Stables ( Olivia's POV )
The warm afternoon sun bathed Riverdale in a golden glow as I sat across from
Rebecca and Lily at our favorite dessert café. The sweet scent of pastries filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It felt surreal to be back in my hometown after three years in Harbor City – three years of emotional turmoil that I was finally beginning to leave behind.
"I'm dying," Lily groaned dramatically, her head resting on the table. Her usually perfect hair was disheveled, and dark circles shadowed her eyes. "These days it's either shopping or clubbing, I'm bored already."
Rebecca gently patted Lily's shoulder, her touch as soft as her personality. "Maybe we should take it easy today?"
I smiled, savoring the familiar banter between my two best friends. Since returning to
Riverdale, they had whisked me away on a whirlwind of activities – shopping sprees, restaurant hopping, and nightclub adventures. My plans to submit my resume to
Moonlaw Legal Services had been temporarily shelved in favor of reconnecting with the people and places I'd missed.
Suddenly, Lily's head shot up, a mischievous glint replacing the exhaustion in her eyes.
"Last night, I puked all over Ethan Quinn, that unlucky bastard! Hahaha! I vaguely remember his whole face turning green!" she exclaimed, dissolving into fits of laughter.
I couldn't help but join in, the mental image too hilarious to resist. It felt good to laugh freely again, without the weight of Ethan Grey's indecision hanging over me.
Rebecca's gentle chuckle joined our louder laughter. "Lily, wasn't your brother mad at you?"
Lily snorted, but there was a surprising softness in her expression. "Actually, Ethan Quinn is finally acting like a proper brother. After I puked on him, he changed clothes, took a shower, and even cooked me some hangover soup."
"Wow, that's progress," I remarked, genuinely surprised. The Ethan Quinn I remembered was notoriously self – centered.
Lily nodded, absently stirring her iced coffee. "We've come a long way since I was nine and he was fourteen. Remember how he used to be such a little s ** t?"
Rebecca smiled knowingly. "You weren't exactly an angel either, Lily."
"He started it!" Lily protested, her eyes flashing with the same defiance I imagined she'd shown as a child. "The first time we met, he pulled my braids and told me to get lost."
"And you bit him?" I guessed, knowing Lily's fiery temperament.
She grinned triumphantly. "Right on the wrist. He still has the scar."
The mental image of a tiny Lily fiercely defending herself against her teenage stepbrother made me laugh again. "You must have been sent by heaven just to torment him."
"Serves him right for bullying me all those years," Lily declared, raising her coffee in a mock toast.
As our laughter subsided, Lily's eyes suddenly lit up with renewed energy. She sat up straight, all traces of her hangover apparently forgotten.
"Anyway, shall we go to the stables this afternoon? I haven't ridden in ages, and I miss it."
The suggestion immediately resonated with me. During my three years in Harbor City, I'd barely had time for myself, let alone for leisure activities like horseback riding.
"I haven't been riding in the three years I was in Harbor City," I admitted, a wistful smile playing on my lips. "I really miss the days when we used to race horses together."
Rebecca's gentle smile widened. "The stables have some new horses you haven't seen yet, Liv. You'll love them."
Lily was already pulling out her phone, scrolling through her contacts with a mischievous grin. "I'll call Ethan Quinn to ask him to bring Connor as well."
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Connor Rivers. Since returning to Riverdale, I'd seen him several times, each encounter reminding me of his unwavering support during my darkest moments in Harbor City.
"Do you think they'll be free on such short notice?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my stomach.
Lily winked at me knowingly. "Trust me, Connor will make time for you."
An hour later, we arrived at Crescent Moon Stables, the largest equestrian facility in Riverdale, owned by Rebecca's family. The familiar scent of hay and horses greeted me as we stepped out of Lily's car, bringing back a flood of childhood memories.
"I'll go check which horses are available," Rebecca said, heading toward the main office with the natural confidence of someone who belonged there.
Lily linked her arm through mine, leading me toward the changing rooms. "Come on, let's get you looking fabulous before the boys arrive."
Inside the spacious locker room, I changed into the riding attire Rebecca had prepared for me – a light grey standing – collar fitted jacket that hugged my curves perfectly, paired with white tight – fitting pants and sleek black riding boots. As I twisted my honey – brown hair into a neat bun, I caught a glimpse of myself in the full – length mirror.
The woman staring back at me looked different from the heartbroken lawyer who had fled Harbor City. There was a new confidence in her amber eyes, a quiet strength that hadn't been there before.
"You look amazing," Lily declared, appearing behind me in her own riding outfit – a bold red jacket that matched her vibrant personality. "Connor won't be able to take his eyes off you."
I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. "That's not why I'm here."
"Sure it isn't," Lily teased, adjusting her ponytail. "Just like I didn't accidentally spill my drink on Cassandra Evans at that charity gala last year."
"You didn't!" I gasped, both horrified and secretly delighted.
Lily's innocent smile didn't fool me for a second. "Her white dress turned such a lovely shade of red wine. Total accident, of course."
With a final check in the mirror, we headed out to the main yard where Rebecca was waiting with Ethan Quinn. My breath caught when I spotted Connor Rivers standing slightly apart from them, his tall figure commanding attention even in casual riding attire.
As I stepped out of the changing room, all conversation stopped. I felt suddenly self – conscious under their collective gaze, especially Connor's intense blue eyes seemed to darken as they took me in.
Ethan Quinn was the first to break the silence, a teasing grin spreading across his handsome face. "Wow, Liv, you look even better than before!"
Lily immediately jabbed him in the ribs, making him wince. "Shut up, i *** t. Connor hasn't even said anything yet – don't embarrass yourself."