Chapter 25 : Reunion at the Moon Crest Stables Chapter 25 : 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 , 1/4 < Chapter 25 Reunion at th 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 . " ad Points " 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 . " 2/4 < Chapter 25 Reunion at th * Points 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 . " 3/4 < Chapter 25 Reunion at th 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 . " Comments M Vote 259 that Wat