Chapter 7

Seven

Ethan

Two Weeks Later

"Got another paint job lined up for you, kid."

I looked up from under the hood of the car I was working on, catching Joe's grin from across the shop. I wiped the grease off my hands as he continued, "The president of the bank's got an old Buick he wants to get show-ready."

"A vintage Buick, huh? Sounds like a challenge."

Joe chuckled, leaning against the workbench. He glanced at the chalkboard schedule and added, "Yeah, he's real particular about it, too. Wants it perfect for the car shows coming up. You up for it?"

I tossed the rag onto the bench, feeling a spark of excitement at the prospect of working on something with a little history. "You know it. When does he want it done?"

Joe shrugged. "No rush, but you know how these car guys are—wants it looking good as soon as possible. Thought I'd let you handle it since you did such a damn fine job on that Mustang."

"Thanks," I said, appreciating the compliment. "I'll get started on it tomorrow."

Joe gave me a nod, then crossed his arms over his chest, a curious look in his eye. "So, you've been here, what, almost a month now?"

I wiped my hands on the rag again, feeling the shift in the conversation coming. "Yeah, something like that."

Joe raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but probing. "You said you were only sticking around for a month. Just wondering if you're planning on heading back to the big city soon or if we're lucky enough to keep you a bit longer."

I paused, the question hitting me harder than I expected. The truth was, I hadn't really thought about it in the last few days. Being here in Cedar Cove, working at the shop, and spending time with Natalie—it all felt... right. More right than anything had in a long time. But Joe was correct; I had come here with the intention of staying for only a month.

"Honestly, Joe," I began, leaning against the counter, "I'm really starting to like it here. I know I said a month, but I'm thinking about extending my stay. Cedar Cove has a way of getting under your skin."

Joe nodded slowly, a knowing smile on his lips. "Yeah, it does that. But you might want to start thinking about what you're really here for. Can't keep freeloading forever, you know."

I chuckled, appreciating the way Joe had of cutting through the bullshit. "True. I'll figure something out."

"Good," Joe said, clapping me on the shoulder. "In the meantime, why don't you take a break this weekend? You've been working your ass off. Take Natalie out on the lake. I've got a boat you can use. Weather's supposed to be perfect."

I blinked, surprised by the suggestion. "Take Natalie out on the lake?"

"Yeah," Joe said with a grin. "Tubing, water skiing, picnic—whatever floats your boat. Literally."

I couldn't help but laugh at the way Joe pitched the idea, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a great way to spend some time with Natalie. "That's not a bad idea," I admitted, already planning how I'd ask her.

Joe just nodded as if the matter was settled. "I'll get the boat ready. You focus on getting the girl to say yes."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of work and thoughts of Natalie. I'd seen her a few times since our dinner, and things between us had been good—really good. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was still a wall between us, one that I needed to find a way around if this was going to be more than just a fling.

As the day wound down, I decided I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to see her, to ask her if she'd be willing to spend the day with me out on the lake. The thought sent a thrill through me, and I found myself leaving the shop a little earlier than usual, heading straight for Bright Horizons Preschool.

When I pulled up to the school, I spotted Natalie walking out the front door. She looked up as I approached, a smile spreading across her face when she saw me. It was the kind of smile that made my heart skip a beat.

"Hey, stranger," she greeted me, her tone light but warm. "What brings you here?"

I returned her smile, trying to keep my voice casual. "I was wondering if you'd like to spend the day with me on Saturday. Joe offered me his boat, and I thought it'd be fun to go out on the lake. Maybe do some tubing or water skiing, have a picnic..."

I watched as a flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by that familiar hesitation. I knew she was still cautious, still holding back, but I also saw something else—curiosity, maybe even excitement.

"That sounds... fun," she finally said, her smile returning. "I haven't done anything like that in a while."

"Great," I replied, relief washing over me. "I'll pick you up around ten?"

She nodded, the cautious smile still on her lips. "Okay. I'm looking forward to it."

As we said our goodbyes and I drove away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I knew I was taking a risk, pushing the boundaries of our relationship, but something about Natalie made me want to take that leap. I was determined to make Saturday special, to show her that I was serious about this—about us.

The sun was high, and the air was warm as we set out onto Cedar Cove Lake in Joe's boat, the engine humming smoothly beneath us. The water was a brilliant blue, reflecting the clear sky and the shoreline was dotted with trees and the occasional cabin, creating a picture-perfect scene. It was the kind of day that felt like an escape from reality, where everything else could be forgotten, at least for a little while.

"Ready for some fun?" I asked, glancing over at Natalie, who was sitting beside me in the passenger seat, her hair whipping in the breeze.

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Absolutely. It's been ages since I've done anything like this."

I cut the engine as we reached the middle of the lake, where the water was calm and inviting. "How about we start with some tubing? You can go first, and I'll drive. Don't forget to put on the floatation belt."

"Sounds enticing," she purred, rising gracefully and slipping off her cover-up to unveil a tantalizing yellow bikini, distracting me entirely from our tubing plans. As she snapped on the belt of her lifejacket, I concentrated on the rope and tube, my fingers skillfully adjusting them while I attempted to ignore the stirring in my gut that her very existence always managed to provoke.

Once Natalie was settled on the tube, I started the engine and eased the boat forward, gradually picking up speed. Her laughter echoed over the water as she held on tightly, the tube bouncing over the small waves. I couldn't help but grin, watching her as she let go of her usual guarded demeanor and just enjoyed the moment.

But then, on one particularly sharp turn, the tube caught the edge of a wake, and before I knew it, Natalie went flying into the water with a splash. I quickly circled back, concerned she might have been hurt, but as I got closer, I saw her treading water with a sheepish grin on her face.

Natalie's laughter tinkled through the air as she straightened up, her arms wrapped protectively around her chest. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she raised what had caused the commotion–her bikini top. "Seems like a minor wardrobe malfunction," she quipped playfully, her tone laced with amusement.

I leaned towards the edge of the boat, a smirk playing on my lips as I extended a hand towards her. "Need some help?" I offered, my voice teasing.

Her response was swift and bold. "Only if you're offering me a hand with this," she retorted with a sly grin, meeting my gaze daringly. "Turn around, Ethan."

Chuckling at her audacity, I obliged by steering the boat slightly away to give her privacy, but not before stealing a quick glance in the mirror.

After a moment of shuffling and adjusting, she called out that she was ready. As I turned back, I found her confidently perched on the tube with a victorious smile on her face.

"Now that you've got everything sorted out," I began with amusement dancing in my eyes, "ready for another round?"

"Bring it on," she challenged, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I couldn't help but laugh as I picked up speed, watching her hold on tight as we flew across the water. There was something exhilarating about the way she handled herself—fearless and full of life, even in the face of unexpected moments like this one.

After a few more rounds, we switched places. "Your turn," I said, tossing her the keys as I climbed into the tube. "Think you can handle it?"

She caught the keys effortlessly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, I'll handle it alright. Just don't complain if you end up in the water."

"Fair enough," I laughed, settling into the tube. "Just keep it steady."

But as I watched her take the wheel, I had a feeling she had other plans, and I was looking forward to whatever happened next.

Natalie started the engine and, after a bit of hesitation, began to pull away. At first, she was cautious, keeping the speed low as she got used to the feel of the boat. But as she gained confidence, the boat began to pick up speed, and I found myself holding on a little tighter.

"Not bad!" I called out, giving her a thumbs-up as we cruised across the lake.

She flashed me a grin, clearly enjoying herself. But just as I was starting to relax, she made a sharp turn—too sharp—and the tube whipped around, sending me flying off into the water.

I hit the lake with a splash, the cold water shocking my system. When I surfaced, sputtering and wiping the water from my face, I saw the boat drifting a short distance away, with Natalie standing at the wheel, her hand covering her mouth in shock.

"Ethan! Are you okay?" she shouted, her voice tinged with panic.

I waved at her, trying to keep the mood light. "I'm fine! Just remember to take it easy on the turns."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, visibly steeling herself as she maneuvered the boat back toward me. I could see the determination on her face as she carefully guided the boat closer, her earlier panic giving way to concentration.

When she finally pulled up alongside me, I grabbed the ladder and hoisted myself back onto the boat, water dripping everywhere. Natalie looked relieved but also a bit sheepish.

"Sorry about that," she said, biting her lip.

I laughed, shaking the water from my hair. "Don't worry about it. You did great—just a little too enthusiastic on that turn."

She let out a nervous laugh, the angst easing between us. "I guess I got a bit carried away."

"Nothing wrong with that," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Besides, now you know what not to do."

We spent the rest of the afternoon switching between tubing and driving the boat, with Natalie gaining more confidence each time she took the wheel. The more she relaxed, the more I found myself drawn to her—not just because of her looks but because of the way she approached everything with a mix of determination and vulnerability. It was impossible not to admire that.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, we decided to call it a day. Natalie drove us back to the dock, her movements now fluid and sure, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in how far she'd come in just a few hours.

As we neared the dock, I secured the boat while Natalie gathered our things. Just as we were about to head home, I caught sight of a familiar boat in the distance, coming straight toward us. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Liam, my friend from Dallas, waving at me from his speedboat.

"Hey, Ethan!" Liam called out, his voice carrying over the water.

Natalie glanced up, noticing the sudden shift in my demeanor. "Who's that?" she asked, curious.

I forced a casual smile. "Just a customer of Joe's," I lied smoothly, hoping to deflect any further questions.

As Liam's boat continued to approach, I grabbed my phone and quickly shot him a text:

ETHAN: Steer clear, man. Not a good time.

Within moments, I saw Liam check his phone, then wave again with a wide grin before turning his boat in the opposite direction. I let out a silent sigh of relief, thankful that the close call had been averted.

As we finished packing up, I couldn't help but think about the day and the connection that had been building between us. The more time I spent with Natalie, the more I felt the pull of something deeper, something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

As we walked back to the truck, Natalie suddenly stopped and looked up at me, her expression unreadable. "Do you want to show me your apartment?"

For a moment, I was caught off guard, but then the meaning behind her words sank in, and my heart raced with anticipation. I stepped closer, cupping her face in my hands, and kissed her, pouring all the unspoken emotions of the day into that one gesture.

When we finally arrived, I took her hand, and we headed up the stairs to my apartment. The night ahead was filled with possibilities I hadn't dared to imagine.