Rachel walked over with a bright smile. "Haynie, what brings you here today? Are


    you here with Keen for target practice too?"


    Haynes responded with a curt, indifferent nod, clearly in no mood for


    conversation.


    As Rachel drew closer, she seemed to only then notice Ste standing nearby. Her voice softened as she greeted her.


    "Ms. Cameron."


    Without hesitation, she settled herself right next to Haynes.


    Rachel didn''t seem the least bit bothered by Haynes''s coldness; she jumped right


    into chattering about anything and everything.


    At first, Haynes managed a word or two in reply.


    But as time went on, his expression grew colder, and he barely bothered to respond at all.


    Rachel, either oblivious or pretending not to notice, began reminiscing about the past.


    "Haynie, have you forgotten? When we first started dating, you used to love hearing me y the violin for you. Every time we met, you''d ask me to perform, and I''d joke you were my very first private audience."


    She giggled, then pressed on. "And do you remember the day you confessed your feelings? You were so vague about it! Ipletely missed the point at first. If it hadn''t been for that time when a few guys started bothering me and you stepped in, saying you were my boyfriend, I might never have realized we were together."


    Rachel went on and on, her voice filling the space.


    In the old days, Haynes would''ve listened without much thought, maybe even joined her in reminiscing.


    But now, he only felt a growing irritation.


    He nced at Ste, almost unconsciously. To his surprise, she was calmly


    listening, not showing the slightest sign of annoyance or impatience-in fact, she seemed almost amused.


    Haynes''s fingers tensed, his lips pressed into a thin line.


    Atst, he couldn''t take it anymore and cut Rachel off.


    "That''s enough." His voice was cool, almost icy. "The past is in the past. Let''s leave it there."


    Rachel''s smile faltered for a moment. "Haynie, I didn''t mean anything by it. I just...


    I just think those were the happiest, simplest days."


    Even as she said this, Rachel was dying to share everyst detail of her romance with Haynes. She wasn''t just trying to stir up old memories for him she was making sure Ste heard every word, hoping to get under her skin.  s?novel


    But Ste saw right through Rachel''s intentions.


    In the past whenever Rachel and Haynes or Jasper, or any of their old friends-talked about the old days, Ste always felt like an outsider, cut off from a worl@she could never belong to.


    Now, though, she felt none of that loneliness. If anything, she found the whole thing rather entertaining, like listening in on gossip.


    When Rachel finally fell silent, it was Ste who spoke up, her voice gentle but unmistakably amused.


    "So, Ms. Pearce, do you remember when you and Haynes had your first kiss?"


    Rachel froze for a split second.


    Did Ste just ask that? Was she out of her mind?


    No matter how clueless Rachel pretended to be, there was no way she''d bring that up in front of Haynes.


    Other stories she could pass off as fond memories. But that saying it out loud would be either foolish or downright malicious.


    And Haynes would never want to hear it.


    Rachel forced a strained smile. "Ms. Cameron, you really do have a sense of humor."


    "I''m not joking," Ste replied, clearly enjoying herself. "Gossip is human nature, after all. The way you tell


    these stories, Ms. Pearce, you''v


    really piqued my curiosity. You


    wouldn''t mind sharing a few more of those romantic little moments with us, would you?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!