Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 41 ~ Fun and a mess

ATHENA

"This is crazy. But fun." I giggle as the handsome stranger whose name I've learned is Zayan pulls on the reins, and the horse moves forward.

The sun is warm against my skin as the horse moves, my heart slows down and starts to beat normally, although I'm still very excited.

I feel... free.

For the first time in weeks, I feel something other than fear and awareness.

Alex sets my soul on fire, but I'm afraid of messing up around him. It feels like I constantly have to be perfect for him, and it's not who I am.

I'm messy, and I love being free. Even with a missing memory, I can tell my marriage is not one that was based on love.

"Not so bad, right?" Zayan whispers in my ear, pulling me back to reality.

"If we didn't have so many eyes on us. It would have been perfect." I taunt.

"I'll organize a private ride with you on our next date then." He teases, and I hold back a laugh knowing cameras are flashing.

That next date will only happen in his dreams, but I don't tell him that, knowing Alex would kill us before he lets me go on a date.

Speaking of which,

Is Alex watching me?

Does he care that I'm with another man?

I highly doubt that. I bet he's soaked in Leah's scent, and nothing else matters to him.

I glance around at the other riders, all moving in a perfect line, their horses stepping gracefully as though they've been trained to walk to music.

Still, I can't help but frown a little.

"Why are we moving so slow?" I whisper to Zayan, tilting my head slightly so only he can hear me.

He grins, glancing down at me like I've asked something innocent and amusing.

I shrug and give him the "I'm new" at this look.

"It's a parade," he says, as if that explains everything. "It's meant to show the

pride of horses — their beauty, strength, and discipline. So, we all move in sync. A perfect rhythm."

I look again, more closely this time.

And he's right.

The other pairs, some women, some men, some mixed like us, are all moving at the same pace, their horses lifting their legs with slow grace, as if dancing to the soft music floating around us.

There's something mesmerizing about it.

again, feeling lighter than I've felt in forever. With all of us

I say playfully, "a

his breath, and I like that

teases. "We'll pick up the

cue, a few horses at the far end start moving slightly faster, their

against the ground in

horse gently, preparing to follow

feel the excitement building in

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

music to

confused, as the sound

around now, whispering, frowning, standing from their seats to get

feeling a strange tightness in

shifts beside

he mutters. "This

voice booms through the speakers,

stop immediately and proceed to the

horses slow to a stop, some shifting uncomfortably as if they can sense the

at

It's just

on." He jumps on the

as he directs the hørše to the entrance.

my eyes land on Arnold, and every hair on my

me with a sick smile

man is

man?" Zayan asks, and

him once and I'd be happy if I didn't have to meet him again."

when a middle-aged man says, "Please use

turn to use a gate different from everyone

about to ask why when the answer is slapped

cute haircut and

of pity.

need to know that

there is Alex, looking calm as ever with green eyes

over at Zayan and then back to me. He

reaching him right now. Maybe dealing with Arnold is not so bad after

Right?

like a gentleman - though right now, I wish he wouldn't. I wish we could turn around and ride far, far away from the ice storm standing in front of

admit. This was a

to Zayan as I steady myself, but my eyes

doesn't say a

Doesn't even blink.

his pockets, looking like he owns the damn world