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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."
