Chapter 5

Five

Ethan

I woke up with the sunlight streaming through the small window of my apartment above Cedar Cove Auto Repair. The familiar sounds of the town beginning to stir greeted me—a car engine starting up somewhere in the distance, the distant hum of voices as people started their day. But my mind was elsewhere, stuck on the memory of last night.

Natalie.

The thought of her made my chest tighten, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I hadn't expected to feel this way—not after just one night. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts. This was supposed to be simple. A bet with my sister, a month of living like an ordinary guy in a small town. But now, things were getting complicated.

My past relationships had been fun—some hotter than others—but they were all missing something. I could never fully trust the women I'd been with, always feeling like they were using me for my position, my money, or the lifestyle I could offer them. I'd learned early on to take precautions, always wary of a potential trap that could lead to an unexpected pregnancy or some other mess that I couldn't afford to deal with. It was easier to keep things casual, to enjoy the thrill without getting too close.

But last night with Natalie... it was different. I had to admit, I almost waited too long to check in with her—to make sure we were good before things went too far. The idea of messing up with her, of not being careful, was a risk I hadn't considered before. She wasn't like the others. She wasn't someone I could just walk away from without a second thought.

I pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. As I got ready for the day, my mind kept circling back to Natalie, to the way she looked at me last night, the way she felt in my arms. It wasn't just about the physical connection—there was something deeper, something I hadn't expected.

And that scared the hell out of me.

I pulled on a pair of running shoes, deciding that a jog might help clear my head. I needed to think; to figure out what my next move was. I couldn't just coast through this, not when Natalie was involved. She deserved more than that, more than just some guy passing through town with a secret.

The cool morning air hit my face as I stepped outside, the streets of Cedar Cove still quiet in the early hours. I started at a slow pace, letting my body warm up as I took in the familiar sights of the town—the quaint brick houses with their perfectly manicured lawns, the old oak trees lining the sidewalks, the peaceful stillness that came before the town truly woke up.

As my feet pounded the pavement, my thoughts kept circling back to Natalie. There was something about her that pulled me in, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. She was different from anyone I'd ever met—strong, independent, with a fire in her eyes that made me want to know more.

But I couldn't ignore the fact that I was keeping a huge part of myself from her. The bet with Sophia, my real identity, everything about my life in Dallas—it was all a secret. And secrets had a way of ruining things, no matter how good your intentions were.

I picked up the pace, the rhythm of my breathing matching the steady beat of my feet against the pavement. What was I going to do? How was I supposed to navigate this? Part of me wanted to just let things play out, to see where this connection with Natalie could lead. But the other part of me knew that if I wasn't careful, I could end up hurting her—and that was the last thing I wanted.

A thought crossed my mind, a brief but nagging consideration. Maybe I should just tell Joe that I appreciated everything he'd done for me, but it might be best if I returned home before I messed things up further—before I hurt someone or disrupted their life.

The idea of leaving Cedar Cove now, before things got any more complicated, had a certain appeal. But as quickly as the thought came, I pushed it aside. Running away wasn't the answer. It never had been.

As I rounded the corner, the auto shop came into view. The sight of it brought a small sense of comfort, a reminder of the life I was trying to live here, even if it was only temporary. I slowed to a jog as I approached the shop, noticing that the garage door was already open.

I was still catching my breath when I saw Joe inside, hunched over the books at the counter. He looked up as I walked in, a grin spreading across his weathered face.

"Well, look who decided to join the land of the living," Joe said, straightening up. "You're out early."

I grabbed a towel from the workbench and wiped the sweat from my brow. "Needed to clear my head," I replied, trying to sound casual.

Joe eyed me for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah? And how's that working out for you?"

I shrugged, leaning against the counter as I caught my breath. "Still working on it."

Joe chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. "You've got that look in your eye," he said, his tone teasing but laced with something more. "The kind of look a man gets when he's thinking about a woman."

I couldn't help but laugh, though it came out a little more strained than I intended. "Am I that obvious?"

"Only to someone who's been around the block a few times," Joe replied with a wink. "So, what's her name?"

I hesitated—then figured there was no point in hiding it. "Natalie."

Joe nodded, a knowing look crossing his face. "Ah, the preschool teacher. She's a good one, that girl. Tough, but with a heart of gold."

"Yeah," I said, my thoughts drifting back to last night. "She is."

Joe set the books aside, giving me his full attention. "So what's got you all twisted up, then? From where I'm standing, it looks like you've got a good thing going."

"It's... complicated," I admitted, not wanting to dive into the details but needing to say something. "I'm not sure how to approach her after last night. I don't want to mess things up."

Joe nodded slowly, leaning back against the counter as he crossed his arms. "You care about her, don't you?"

I looked up at him, surprised by the directness of the question. "Yeah, I do."

"Then don't overthink it," Joe said, his tone firm but gentle. "Just be honest with her. Show her that you're serious, but don't push too hard. Women like Natalie... they need to know that you're in it for the right reasons, that you're not just looking for a fling."

I nodded, appreciating his straightforward advice. "So what do you suggest?"

Joe grinned, that mischievous glint back in his eyes. "Simple. Get her something that shows you're thinking about her—something thoughtful, but not over the top. Like a bouquet of flowers. Trust me, it might sound of old-fashioned, but it'll go a long way."

I raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Flowers?"

"Flowers," Joe repeated with a nod. "It's a small gesture, but it says a lot. And if you really want to impress her, go for something other than the usual roses. Pick something that's a little more personal."

I let his words sink in, the idea of doing something as simple as buying flowers feeling strangely foreign to me. But then again, maybe that was exactly what I needed—something outside of my comfort zone, something that showed Natalie I was willing to make an effort.

"Alright," I said finally. "I'll give it a shot."

Joe slapped me on the back, a wide grin on his face. "That's the spirit. Now, go take a shower before you stink up the whole place."

I laughed, the strain in my chest easing just a little. "Yes, sir."

As I headed upstairs to clean up, I couldn't help but feel a new sense of resolve. Maybe this was exactly what I needed—to stop overthinking, to stop trying to control everything, and just let things happen. And maybe I'd find something here in Cedar Cove that was worth holding onto.

Later that afternoon, I found myself standing in front of the local florist, staring at the display of flowers in the window. The vibrant colors, the delicate petals—I had no idea where to start. But Joe's words echoed in my mind, urging me to take the leap.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, determined to find the perfect bouquet for Natalie. The shop was filled with the heady scent of blooming flowers, a mix of sweet and earthy that seemed to calm my nerves just a bit. Rows of arrangements lined the walls, each more elaborate than the last. My eyes darted from one to the next, trying to make sense of what any of it meant.

"Can I help you with something?" The florist, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a welcoming smile appeared from behind the counter.

"Yeah, I hope so," I replied, running a hand through my hair. "I'm looking for some flowers, but I have no idea where to start."

She chuckled softly, clearly used to customers like me. "Well, that's what I'm here for. Do you have anything in mind? A particular flower or color scheme?"

"No roses," I said quickly, realizing that was the only thing I was sure of. "Other than that, I'm open to suggestions."

The florist nodded thoughtfully. "Are these flowers for a special occasion?"

"Not exactly," I said, feeling a bit out of my depth. "It's more of a gesture. I want to show someone that I'm thinking about them."

She smiled warmly, understanding my intent. "Well, it's important to make the right impression. Do you know anything about what this person likes?"

I hesitated for a moment, and then an idea struck me. "She's a preschool teacher," I said. "What about something in an apple vase? It might be a little corny, but I think it could be a nice touch."

The florist's face lit up with approval. "Actually, that's a wonderful idea. Teachers love those kinds of thoughtful details. It's playful but still meaningful."

About to nod in agreement, the florist's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of recognition crossing her face. "Wait, is this for Natalie?"

I felt a little caught off guard, but then I remembered—small towns. "Yeah," I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. "It is."

Her smile turned, knowing. "Oh, then I've got just the thing. Natalie loves bright colors and something with a bit of personality. How about a mix of sunflowers and daisies? They're cheerful, just like her, and the apple vase will give it that charming, personal touch."

Feeling a sense of relief wash over me, I replied. "That sounds perfect."

As the florist began arranging the flowers, I found myself relaxing a little. Maybe this was the right move after all. Hopefully, this gesture will help me show Natalie that I was serious about getting to know her better, even if I wasn't quite sure where things would go from here.