Fool Me Once

Chapter 5 ~ Not Adding Up

I sighed, looking away, focusing on Shadow's steady chewing. "I guess I should say thank you."

He scoffed, unsurprised. "You guess? I saved you from flunking and all you can manage is, I guess?"

"Don't hold your breath," I muttered, still avoiding his eyes.

"Well," he said, leaning casually against the stall door, "I'm waiting."

"That was it."

His laugh was dry, sharp. "That was you saying thank you? Wow. Guess the ice princess' reputation isn't just a rumor."

That jab earned him a side glance, nothing more. I patted Shadow once before moving down the line to Mist's stall. The silence stretched, filled only with the horses' breaths and the shifting of hooves on straw. And then-

"Thank you, William. For saving my ass. Happy now?" I said at last, releasing a long sigh.

He smiled, faint but smug. "Could do without the sarcasm, but sure. You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that evening and turned to leave. But apparently William wasn't finished.

Boots scuffed against stone, quickening. Within moments, he was at my side again, falling into step as if we'd planned it.

"Can I help you?" I asked flatly.

He shrugged. "I don't know. Can you?"

I frowned, said nothing. Silence fell for a moment, but of course, he broke it.
"So, how's the baby?"

I froze mid-step. He kept walking a few paces before noticing, then turned back with that infuriatingly casual look on his face.

"How much did you hear?" I demanded.

He only looked at me, same way I had the day I overheard the breakup. The mirror of it made my jaw tighten.

"So what? Now we know each other's secrets?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Looks like it." His smile flickered before dimming slightly. "Though what happened to me isn't much of a secret." For once, his voice held something heavier, something he clearly didn't want me to name.

"This doesn't make us friends," I warned.

"I know." His grin returned, sharp as ever.

"So then what do you want?"

"Who says I want something?" His voice was too light, too innocent.

"You're William Blackwood."

"I'm aware, thanks." He laughed.

"You don't do anything unless there's something in it for you."

"Ouch, princess." He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. But the smile never wavered.

"Am I wrong?"

He shrugged. "I'm a businessman. And as you may know, in business, even charity has a price."

I scowled but said nothing, brushing past him to keep walking. Of course, he fell into step beside me again.

"Since you know I overheard you, no point beating around the bush," he said.

"You've never been one for subtlety."

"Exactly." His grin widened like I'd just proven his point.

I exhaled sharply. "What do you want, William?"

His eyes glinted. "I noticed there's an... interesting dynamic between you and your father."

I stiffened but kept walking.