Jessy's thoughts were a swirl of confusion as she stood by the window in the kitchen, watching the morning sunlight play over the flowers in her garden. The encounter with Dave had left a lingering sensation, one that was both exciting and unsettling. She tried to focus on her routine, but her mind kept drifting back to him—the way he had looked at her, that almost imperceptible smirk that felt like an invitation. What was it about him that pulled her in?
"Jessy!" Mrs. Larkin's voice broke through her thoughts. "You've got a visitor."
Jessy's brows furrowed as she turned away from the window. A visitor? She hadn't expected anyone today. She followed Mrs. Larkin down the hallway, her curiosity piqued. As she entered the front room, she froze.
Petter Sebastiano stood just inside the door, his tall, lean figure filling the space. He was dressed casually in a light jacket, his hands tucked into his pockets. There was a quiet confidence about him, but it was different from his brother Dave's. Petter's demeanor was calm, almost aloof, but his eyes were sharp as they met hers.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," he said, his voice smooth, almost soothing. He smiled, but it was subtle—there was no smirk like Dave's, just a quiet warmth.
Jessy's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, offering him a polite smile. "No, not at all. What brings you here?"
Petter stepped forward slightly, his gaze flickering over to Mrs. Larkin, who gave him a knowing look. "I was actually wondering if you might be interested in riding. My family has a small farm on the edge of town, and we've got a few horses. I thought you might enjoy the chance to get out and ride for a bit. Dave mentioned you like horses."
Jessy blinked, surprised by the offer. She had always enjoyed riding, but she hadn't expected someone like Petter—who she barely knew—to extend such an invitation. She glanced over at Mrs. Larkin, who raised an eyebrow, a silent prompt to go ahead.
"That sounds lovely," Jessy said, her voice soft but genuine. "I haven't ridden in a while, actually. It could be fun."
Petter's eyes brightened at her response, a small flicker of approval in his expression. "Great. I'll pick you up in about an hour. Just let me know if you need anything."
"I will," Jessy replied, suddenly feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. She wasn't sure what to expect, but there was something undeniably intriguing about Petter's calm, measured demeanor.
As Petter left, Jessy couldn't help but feel like the lines between the Sebastiano brothers were becoming blurrier. She hadn't expected this side of Petter—the easygoing, inviting version of him. Where was the enigmatic intensity she had assumed he carried? And more importantly, how would Dave feel about her accepting Petter's invitation? She had no idea, but the thought sent a shiver down her spine.
---
An hour later, Jessy found herself standing outside, the fresh scent of the morning air wrapping around her as she waited. She had changed into jeans and a comfortable top, ready for whatever the day might bring. Her heart raced, though, as she spotted Petter's sleek black car pulling into the driveway. She hadn't expected him to be so punctual.
He stepped out of the car with that same calm demeanor, the sunlight glinting off his dark hair. He gave her a small nod as she approached, his smile polite but still somewhat distant.
"Ready to ride?" he asked, his voice soft.
Jessy nodded, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "I think so. It's been a while."
Petter's expression softened just a touch, and he gestured for her to follow him. "No worries. I'll show you the ropes. Let's just take it easy."
As they drove through the town, the landscape slowly shifted to greener fields, wide open spaces with barns and horses grazing in the distance. Jessy felt a sense of calm wash over her, the quiet of the countryside soothing her frayed nerves. She had always found solace in the simplicity of nature, and this, she realized, was exactly what she needed.
When they reached the farm, Petter led her toward the stable where the horses were kept. Jessy couldn't help but smile at the sight of the animals, their sleek coats glistening in the sun. One horse, a chestnut mare, seemed to catch her eye. She walked over slowly, extending a hand to let the horse sniff her fingers. It nickered softly, clearly curious about the new visitor.
"That's Bella," Petter said from behind her. "She's a bit of a diva, but she's gentle once you get to know her."
Jessy smiled, her hand moving to gently pet Bella's neck. "I've always liked the more high-maintenance ones."
Petter chuckled, his voice warmer now. "I'll let you get acquainted while I saddle up another one. I'll be right back."
As he walked off to prepare another horse, Jessy stood there, absorbing the peaceful atmosphere of the farm. The rustling of the wind in the trees, the soft nickering of the horses—it was all so different from the bustle of her daily life, and for the first time that morning, she felt herself truly relax.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Sebastiano estate, Dave had just finished his shower, the hot water soothing the tension that had built up in his shoulders. His thoughts were consumed with Jessy once again. That fleeting moment when their eyes had locked—he couldn't shake the memory of it. Her hesitation had intrigued him, but it wasn't just that. There was something deeper there, something he hadn't been able to place yet.
As he towel-dried his hair, his mind drifted back to the farm where Petter had invited Jessy. His lips curved into a slight grin. It seemed his brother was making his own move. Dave didn't mind—he was more than happy to let Petter take the lead. But that didn't mean he wasn't watching closely.
He pulled on a shirt and leaned against the bathroom door, still deep in thought. Jessy had stirred something in him, something that wasn't easily ignored. She wasn't like the other women he had encountered, and that only made him want to know her more.
And as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror, he couldn't help but smile. It was going to be interesting to see how this all played out.