23| The Weekend Getaway

Sophie stood in front of the large bathroom vanity, carefully applying her makeup as warm sunlight spilled through the window.

She paused, admiring the breathtaking view of the lake shimmering under the morning sun. The beauty of the place left her eager to explore-she couldn't wait to see more of the lake house and its surroundings.

She finished getting ready and picked out a casual yet stylish outfit, pausing to snap a quick picture of her look and the stunning room. She sent it to her group chat with Mia and Lily, knowing they'd appreciate the view-and the outfit.

Stepping out onto the balcony, the view took her breath away. The lake shimmered under the morning sun, its surface still and glass-like. A soft breeze carried the scent of pine and water, crisp and invigorating. Sophie leaned against the railing, closing her eyes to soak it all in.

Behind her, Ethan stirred awake. He blinked, adjusting to the light streaming in, and noticed Sophie standing at the balcony. Her face was glowing with wonder, and something in his chest tightened.

"You're already gearing up for the day?" he said, his voice still rough from sleep.

Sophie turned to him with a bright smile. "Ethan, this place is amazing. I can't wait to explore it."

Ethan chuckled, sitting up and raking a hand through his hair. "I'm glad you like it. David mentioned breakfast on the deck-let's head down."

They joined David and his friends on the spacious deck, where breakfast was already being served. The view overlooked the lake, where sunlight danced across the water like scattered diamonds. The group greeted them warmly.

David introduced everyone with a grin. Rachel and Emily, the two women in the group, were friendly and outgoing.

Rachel had long, wavy brown hair and an infectious smile, while Emily, petite with short blonde hair, had a laugh that could lift any mood.

Mark and Alex, the two guys, were equally welcoming. Mark was tall and laid-back, while Alex, with his easy charm, cracked jokes that had everyone laughing.

David's friends were an easygoing bunch. There were two girls, Rachel and Emily, both friendly and outgoing, with an infectious energy. Rachel had long, wavy brown hair and a perpetual smile, while Emily was petite with short blonde hair and a lively laugh.

"Morning, you two!" David called out as he poured coffee into mugs. "Sophie, I hope you're ready for a day of adventure."

Sophie beamed as she took her seat. "Absolutely! What's the plan?"

"Boating, kayaking... I even imported sand so we can play some volleyball," David replied, grinning.

Sophie laughed. "You brought sand here?"

"I'm serious about my weekends," David shot back, earning chuckles from the group.

As they enjoyed breakfast, the easygoing vibe of David's friends made Sophie feel right at home. She quickly found herself chatting with Rachel and Emily, who were both eager to get to know her. Rachel, it turned out, was a lawyer, while Emily ran a perfume business.

Meanwhile, the guys-David, Ethan, Mark, and Alex-caught up about old college memories, slipping in the occasional comment about work. "This doesn't count as business talk," David insisted when Sophie teased them, "just catching up."

"So, Sophie," Rachel said as the conversation shifted, leaning in with a mischievous grin, "what's it like being with Ethan?"

Rachel leaned in with a playful grin. "So, Sophie, what's it like being married to Ethan? We all thought it was a prank when we saw the news."

Emily nodded, laughing. "Seriously. Back in college, Ethan acted like girls were a completely foreign concept. He avoided us like we carried the plague."

Rachel chimed in, teasing. "The only reason he even spoke to me was because I was a nerd with zero fashion sense."

"It was a phase," Emily added, smirking. "She dresses much better now."

Sophie laughed along with them, feeling at ease with their humor. "Honestly, I don't know if much has changed. He's still very... Ethan."

Across the table, Ethan glanced up at the sound of his name. He caught Sophie's eyes, and for a moment, the faintest smile played on his lips.

Watching her laugh and enjoy herself sparked a rare warmth in him. He found himself thinking-perhaps getting a lake house just like this one wasn't a bad idea if it meant seeing her this happy.

"Alright, Ethan," Alex called out, breaking Ethan's reverie, "you still as competitive as ever? How about a game of volleyball?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "I think I'll sit this one out. I'm aiming for a low-effort weekend."

"Come on, Sinclair!" David added, grinning. "I didn't install that court for nothing."

Ethan sighed, a playful glint in his eye. "Fine, fine. Sophie, are you in?"

Sophie hesitated. "I think I'll sit this one out. You guys have fun."

Rachel leaned toward Sophie with a playful smile. "Oh, no, you're not. You, me, and Alex-let's take on these guys. We've got this."

Laughing, Sophie relented. "Alright, let's do it."

"I'll referee," Emily added with a laugh. "I don't trust any of you not to cheat."

The group cheered, and they made their way down to the makeshift volleyball court by the lake. The warm sand slipped between their toes, and the sun sparkled off the water, adding to the carefree atmosphere.

As the game progressed, laughter filled the air. Sophie surprised everyone with her energy and competitive spirit, though she couldn't quite keep up with the practiced teamwork of Ethan, David, and Mark.

Not that anyone minded-rotating teams and impromptu cheers from the sidelines kept the mood light and fun.

During a water break, they gathered around a cooler for drinks. Sophie, slightly out of breath and flushed from the sun, leaned against Ethan, her face glowing with happiness. "Did you see? When I scored that point!" she said, beaming.

Ethan handed her a bottle of water, chuckling as he watched her pride shine through. "Yeah, I saw. You were awesome, Sophie."

What he didn't admit was that he had intentionally let her score. Seeing Sophie's triumphant smile was worth any bruised ego. Besides, the last thing he wanted was for his friends to witness her infamous "sore-loser moment," which, admittedly, was something he found endearing.

It was a side of Sophie that he wasn't willing to share-not even with his closest friends.

Rachel flopped down beside Sophie, fanning herself dramatically. "Sophie, we killed it out there. That last spike? Absolute perfection."

Sophie laughed, pleased with the compliment. "Thanks, Rachel. I didn't want to brag earlier, but, you know..." She trailed off, grinning.

Ethan, fully accustomed to her playful bragging by now, interjected with a teasing smile. "She ran a bit in college. She's practically a pro."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, laughing at the playful exchange. "Gosh, I never thought I'd see the day-Ethan Sinclair, playing along with someone's bragging. Who are you?"

David, standing nearby with a drink in hand, clapped loudly to gather everyone's attention. "Alright, team, how about we take the boat out on the lake? The weather's perfect, and I promise you, the views are even better out on the water."

Sophie's face lit up, her earlier fatigue forgotten. "That sounds amazing! I've never been boating before."

David grinned, already heading toward the dock. "Then you're in for a treat. Let's go!"

**********

The next day arrived faster than Sophie wanted. It was still early-too early, really-but the peaceful stillness of the lake called to her. She had adjusted, surprisingly well, to sharing a bed with Ethan.

He was still asleep, the faint rise and fall of his chest steady and undisturbed. Sophie smiled to herself as she quietly slipped out of the room, careful not to wake him.

She padded downstairs to grab a bottle of water before heading outside. Just as she turned the corner to the kitchen, she bumped straight into Alex, one of Ethan and David's friends.

"You're up early," Alex said, looking surprised but cheerful.

Sophie shrugged, smiling. "Yeah, I wanted to sit by the water and read a little before everyone else wakes up. What about you? I thought you'd be sleeping in after last night."

Alex chuckled. "Habit. I used to play football in college, and even after I stopped, I still can't shake the early mornings. My body just wakes up on its own for that morning run."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "You still play?"

"Not anymore." Alex's tone softened slightly. "I got drafted, but an injury ended it all before it could really start."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sophie said, her voice filled with genuine sympathy. "That must've been really hard. If I had to give up something I loved, it would break my heart."

Alex smiled, clearly touched. "Thanks, Sophie. But it's not a big deal anymore. Life moves on. You're a sweet girl, you know that?" He looked at her warmly, making Sophie feel a little shy.

"Thanks," she mumbled. "I think I'll go find a spot to read now."

"Mind if I walk with you to the lake?" Alex offered.

"Sure." Sophie grabbed her things, and they walked together down the quiet path to the shore. The lake shimmered under the soft morning light, its tranquility reflected in the stillness of the water.

They chatted along the way, and Sophie found it easy to talk to Alex. His laid-back demeanor and easy humor put her at ease.

Eventually, Sophie settled into a comfortable spot on the grass, tucked beneath the shade of a tree. "I'll let you get to your run," she said, pulling out her book.

"Fair enough," Alex replied with a grin. "I'll see you later."

Sophie quickly became engrossed in her book, losing track of time. She didn't even notice Alex return until he tapped her shoulder lightly, startling her.

"You're still here?" he asked, pulling out his earbuds. He was slightly out of breath, his post-run energy still buzzing.

"How was the run?" Sophie asked with a smile.

"Pretty good. The scenery here's unbeatable," Alex replied as he plopped down beside her, clearly cooling off. "You know, I just remembered something-don't you run a flower shop on Fifth? It took me a while, but I swear I've been there before."

Sophie tilted her head, surprised. "Really? Small world."

"Yeah, a long time ago. I went to get flowers for a girl I was dating," Alex said, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Found out later she was two-timing me. I wanted to return the flowers. That's why I remember."

Sophie burst into laughter. "I'm just imagining what you would've said-'Reason for the return? Oh, I was two-timed.' That's hilarious."

Alex laughed along with her. "Exactly! I didn't actually do it, though. Thought I'd look pathetic."

Their laughter was cut short when Rachel's voice called out from a distance. "Sophie! Breakfast's ready!"

Rachel approached with an easy smile, but Sophie didn't miss Ethan walking slightly behind her. His expression shifted the moment he spotted Sophie and Alex sitting close together, their laughter lingering in the air.

His smile faltered, and his blue eyes narrowed slightly as they settled on the two of them.

Sophie, oblivious to the subtle tension, stood up, gathering her things. "Ethan, you're up already?" she greeted with a smile. She laced her arm through Rachel's, chatting happily as they made their way back to the house.

Ethan followed behind, his jaw tight as he watched Sophie's bright smile and Alex's easygoing presence. Something about the scene gnawed at him-a strange, unwelcome twinge of jealousy twisting in his chest.

He'd never been one to let emotions like that get to him, but it was Sophie. She was beautiful, cheerful, and kind-someone who naturally attracted attention. And it bothered him more than he cared to admit that Alex, of all people, seemed particularly taken with her.

Later that morning, they all decided to go boating again. The lake was a perfect glassy blue under the rising sun. David steered the boat while Rachel and Emily chatted with Mark near the back.

Sophie and Alex stood at the bow, laughing and letting the wind whip through their hair. Ethan, who had stayed at the rear, watched them with an increasingly tense jaw.

Her laughter, the way her face lit up when Alex made a joke-it was too much.

Before long, Ethan couldn't take it anymore. He stood and made his way to the bow, standing close behind Sophie. His hand, firm but gentle, settled at her waist. The casual possessiveness of the gesture made Sophie freeze in surprise, her cheeks flushing pink.

"Alex," Ethan said, his tone light but with an unmistakable edge, "looks like you're having a great time. Mind letting me in on the joke?"

Alex glanced between Ethan's too-calm expression and Sophie's flustered one. Reading the situation immediately, he grinned, holding up his hands in surrender. "I need a drink. I'll leave you two to it." He made his way back to the others.

Sophie turned to Ethan, her wide eyes searching his face. "What was that?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Ethan didn't answer immediately, his fingers still resting at her waist. Finally, his voice dropped low. "I didn't like the way he was looking at you."

Sophie blinked, processing his words, and then a slow, delighted smile spread across her face. He's jealous, she realized, the thought making her heart flutter.

"Well," Sophie said softly, leaning just a little closer to him, "I don't care about Alex. I like someone else."

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly, his grip on her waist firming. "Oh?"

She smiled slyly, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned closer, her breath brushing his ear. "I'm already married to him."

Before Ethan could say a word, Sophie turned and walked toward the girls, her steps light and playful. Ethan watched her go, his heart pounding and a slow smile tugging at his lips.

For the first time in a long while, Ethan Sinclair was completely, undeniably caught off guard.

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