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I nodded, still watching as Natalie and the kids continued down the sidewalk. “Noted.”
As I turned back to the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that today had just taken an unexpected turn. Cedar Cove was supposed to be my quiet escape, a place where I could blend in and forget about the complexities of my real life. But now, with a gash on the door of the Mustang and the memory of Natalie’s fiery gaze still fresh in my mind, I realized that things might be more complicated than I’d planned.
Three
Ethan
A Few Days Later
“Well, I’ll be damned!” I muttered, staring out the window as I sipped the last of my Saturday morning coffee. The sleek, black Lamborghini that just pulled into the lot was unmistakable—my Lamborghini. And there was only one person who’d be driving it out here, in the middle of Cedar Cove.
I couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking my head as I watched the car come to a smooth stop. Trust Sophia to make an entrance and remind me of the luxury I’d left behind. I knew exactly what she was doing—taunting me with a glimpse of my old life. And I had to admit, she wasn’t entirely wrong to think I’d miss it. There was something about seeing that car again, all polished and perfect, that made me long for the rush of power and status that came with it.
But I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of knowing that.
Sophia stepped out of the car, looking every bit the city girl in her designer clothes and oversized sunglasses. She gavea little wave, smirking up at the window as if she could see right through me. I waved back, already bracing myself for the inevitable teasing.
With a sigh, I set my mug down and headed downstairs to meet her. As soon as I opened the door, Sophia was on me.
“Well, well, well,” she said, giving me a once-over with a grin. “I never thought I’d see the day when my big brother was living in a place like this, wearing...what are those—jeans? And a T-shirt? Where’s the suit and tie, Mr. Sterling?”
I rolled my eyes, grabbing the bag of groceries she was holding out to me. “Nice to see you too, Soph. Thanks for the reminder that I’m slumming it.”
She laughed, the sound filling the small space between us. “You’re not slumming it, Ethan. You’re ‘immersing yourself in the local culture,’” she said, making air quotes with her fingers. “And apparently eating like a regular person. What’s next? A fishing hat?”
I shook my head, leading her up the stairs to my apartment. “Don’t get too excited. It’s only temporary. And besides, you should be proud. I’m getting pretty good at this whole ‘regular person’ thing.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are,” she said, following me up. “But I brought you some real food just in case you’re missing those fancy meals you’re used to. Organic, gluten-free, and all that.”
We reached the apartment, and I pushed the door open, letting her step inside first. It wasn’t much—a far cry from my mini ranch in Dallas—but it was comfortable, and it was starting to feel like mine. The mismatched furniture, the small kitchenette, the few personal touches I’d added to make it feel less like a crash pad and more like a home.
Sophia took it all in, her eyes moving around the space, taking in every detail. She walked over to the small bookshelf I’dset up in the corner, her fingers brushing over the spines of a few old books before her gaze landed on something else.
“You still have this?” she asked, her voice softening.
I turned to look at her, seeing the football she was holding. It was signed by the entire Dallas Cowboys starting team—a gift she’d gotten me a few years ago for Christmas. I smiled, nodding. “Of course. It’s one of my favorite things. You know that.”
She turned the ball over in her hands, a rare, sentimental expression crossing her face. “I’m glad you brought it. It’s nice to see a piece of home here.”
There was a brief silence between us, the kind that only siblings could share—a moment of connection that went beyond words. But, as always, Sophia was the first to break it, her playful demeanor returning as she placed the football back on the shelf.
“So,” she said, turning to face me with that familiar gleam in her eyes. “How’s the bet going? Remember when you thought this would be easy?”
I groaned, knowing this was coming. “I’m managing,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “It’s different, sure, but I’m getting used to it.”
She laughed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re just lucky no one here knows who you really are. Can you imagine what they’d think if they knew the great Ethan Sterling was fixing cars and living in a tiny apartment above a repair shop?”
I shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter. “That’s the whole point, Soph. To see if I can live like a regular guy for a month, isn’t it? No money, no status, just... me.”
She tilted her head, studying me with a look that was both curious and slightly amused. “And what do you think? Think you could get used to this life?”
I hesitated, not really sure how to answer. Cedar Cove was different—slower, quieter, simpler—but it was growing on mein a way I hadn’t expected. “I don’t know,” I admitted finally. “It’s... different. But not in a bad way. It’s making me think about things I hadn’t considered before.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Like what?”
I glanced around the apartment, my mind drifting to the people I’d met here, particularly a certain fiery preschool teacher. “Like... what really matters, I guess. What I want out of life.”
She smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “You mean what you really want. Not what everyone else expects of you.”
