FAKING IT WITH THE CEO

Chapter 10: The Weekend Away

The following week passed in a haze of work and social engagements, but as the weekend approached, Harper felt a new wave of excitement. Nathan had suggested a weekend getaway to his cabin in the Catskills, a place he often retreated to for some peace and quiet. It would be their first trip together as an engaged couple, and the thought of spending uninterrupted time with him filled her with anticipation.

As Friday afternoon rolled around, Harper found herself packing a small suitcase with a mix of casual and semi-formal outfits, unsure of what the weekend might entail. She chose a few comfortable dresses, cozy sweaters, and her favorite pair of hiking boots—just in case they decided to explore the outdoors.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration.

Don’t forget your swimsuit! We might hit the hot tub.

Harper smiled at the text from Nathan. She quickly added her swimsuit to the bag and checked the weather forecast. The Catskills were expected to be sunny, which meant they could enjoy the cabin’s amenities.

When she arrived at Nathan’s penthouse to meet him, she felt a flutter of nerves mixed with excitement. Nathan answered the door with a bright smile, his casual attire—a fitted t-shirt and jeans—making him look effortlessly handsome.

“Ready for an adventure?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“Absolutely! Just let me grab my bag,” Harper replied, stepping inside.

As they loaded her suitcase into the trunk of his sleek black SUV, Harper felt a surge of warmth. Nathan was more than just her fiancé; he was becoming a close friend, someone she could share experiences with outside the pressures of their engagement.

The drive to the cabin was filled with laughter and easy conversation, and as the scenery changed from cityscape to lush green mountains, Harper felt herself relaxing. The rolling hills and expansive skies were a refreshing contrast to the bustling city life she was used to.

“So, what’s on the agenda for the weekend?” she asked, glancing over at Nathan as they cruised along the winding road.

“Honestly? Just a lot of relaxation. I figured we could hike, maybe do some fishing, and definitely enjoy the hot tub,” Nathan said with a grin.

“Sounds perfect,” Harper said, her spirits lifting at the thought of escaping their busy lives for a couple of days.

Once they arrived at the cabin, Harper couldn’t help but admire the rustic charm. Nestled among the trees, the two-story wooden structure exuded warmth and comfort. A large deck wrapped around the front, and the view of the mountains was breathtaking.

“This place is incredible,” she said, stepping inside and taking in the cozy living room with its stone fireplace and large windows.

Nathan smiled, clearly pleased with her reaction. “I come here whenever I need to recharge.”

As they settled in, Nathan showed her around, highlighting the fully stocked kitchen and the game room with a pool table. Harper felt a sense of peace wash over her, a welcome relief from the chaos of their lives in the city.

After unpacking, they decided to take a short hike to explore the nearby trails. Harper pulled on her favorite hiking boots, and Nathan grabbed a small backpack filled with water and snacks. As they set out, the crisp mountain air filled her lungs, invigorating her spirit.

“Who knew you’d be such an outdoorsman?” Harper teased as they walked along the winding path.

“I'll do my best,” Nathan replied with a smirk. “But it’s really about the company.”

Harper felt her cheeks flush, and she glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his eyes. It was moments like this that made her heart race—the unexpected chemistry they shared.

As they hiked deeper into the woods, the sounds of nature surrounded them: birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant sound of a flowing stream. It was serene, a stark contrast to the constant noise of the city.

“Let’s take a break here,” Nathan suggested, leading them to a small clearing with a beautiful view of the mountains.

They settled on a large rock, and Nathan opened the backpack, pulling out bottles of water and a couple of granola bars. Harper watched him, appreciating how at ease he seemed in this environment.

“Do you come here often?” she asked, taking a sip of her water.

“Whenever I can,” Nathan replied. “It’s my escape from everything—work, family expectations, the pressure of being in the spotlight.”

Harper nodded, understanding how much pressure Nathan faced in his everyday life. “I get that. It’s nice to disconnect sometimes.”

“Exactly,” he said, his gaze drifting to the horizon. “I wanted us to have some time away from everything, just to relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

As they sat in comfortable silence, Harper felt a wave of warmth wash over her. It was in these moments that she realized how much she appreciated Nathan—not just as her fiancé, but as a person.

After their break, they continued along the trail, and as they walked, they shared stories from their childhoods, laughter filling the air. Harper learned about Nathan’s family vacations to the beach, where he and his siblings would build sandcastles and race each other to the water. In turn, she shared her own memories of camping trips with her parents and the joy of roasting marshmallows over an open fire.

The more they talked, the more Harper felt the walls she had built around her heart start to crumble. Nathan was charming and funny, but he was also relatable. She appreciated his willingness to share pieces of his life, creating a bond between them that felt genuine.

As they approached a small stream, Nathan paused and pointed. “Let’s check it out.”

Harper followed him, her heart racing as he led her to a shallow section of the water. The sun glinted off the surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of light.

“Looks like a great place for fishing,” Nathan said, kneeling down to examine the water.

“Do you fish?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“Not really. I’m more of a catch-and-release kind of guy,” he said, grinning.

“Good to know. I’m not much of a fisherman either.”

They stood together at the water’s edge, their shoulders brushing as they leaned closer to examine the small fish swimming by. Harper felt an electric charge in the air, the chemistry between them growing stronger with each passing moment.

“Do you want to try?” Nathan asked, glancing at her.

“Fishing?” she replied, surprised. “Now?”

“Why not? We can make a fun challenge out of it.”

“Okay, but don’t expect me to catch anything,” she said, laughing.

Nathan reached into his backpack and pulled out a couple of fishing rods. “I’ll show you how it’s done.”

After a few minutes of instruction, they settled down by the stream, casting their lines into the water. Harper tried to focus, but the proximity of Nathan, his easy laughter, and the natural beauty around her made it hard to concentrate.

As they waited, they continued to chat, and Harper found herself sharing more than she had intended. She opened up about her aspirations, her dreams of advancing in her career, and how she had always wanted to make a difference in the world.

“You’re really passionate about what you do,” Nathan said, his tone encouraging. “I admire that.”

“Thanks,” she replied, her heart warming at his compliment. “I want to make a mark, you know? I’ve always believed that finance can be a tool for positive change.”

“I agree,” Nathan said, his gaze steady. “And you’re doing it. The work you’ve done at Blackwood Enterprises has already made a difference.”

Harper felt a swell of pride at his words, but the moment was interrupted by a sudden tug on Nathan’s fishing line. “Looks like I’ve got something!” he exclaimed, reeling it in with practiced ease.

Harper watched, fascinated, as he pulled out a small trout, its scales shimmering in the sunlight. “Wow, nice catch!” she said, genuinely impressed.

“Just a little guy,” Nathan said, holding it up with a grin. “But he’ll make a good meal.”

After taking a quick photo, he gently released the fish back into the stream. Harper admired the way he treated nature with respect, and it made her feel even more drawn to him.

As the afternoon wore on, they tried their luck at fishing, with Nathan catching a few more small fish while Harper managed to snag a couple of leaves and twigs instead. They laughed at her failed attempts, and as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they decided to head back to the cabin.

Once inside, Nathan lit the fireplace, and they settled on the cozy couch with glasses of wine, the soft glow of the flames casting a warm light around them.

“Today was fun,” Harper said, snuggling deeper into the cushions. “Thanks for suggesting it.”

Nathan took a sip of his wine, his gaze thoughtful. “I wanted to give us a chance to relax and be ourselves.”

“I think it worked,” Harper replied, her heart full.

As they chatted about their plans for the next day, Nathan leaned in slightly, and for a moment, Harper felt the electric chemistry between them intensify. She could see the warmth in his eyes, the way he was looking at her, and her breath caught in her throat.

“Harper,” he said softly, his voice low.

“Yes?”

He hesitated, searching her face as if weighing his words. “I just want you to know that I’ve really enjoyed this weekend. It feels… different.”