Chapter 5: Something Borrowed
566 Words
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The inn’s kitchen was already alive with chaos by the time Elena came downstairs—barefoot, hair still damp, heart still echoing from the night before.
Her sister, Marisol, stood at the island surrounded by ribbon scraps, a half-deconstructed bouquet, and a very opinionated florist on speakerphone.
“Don’t tell me gardenias are out of season,” Mari snapped. “This is the coast. Everything’s always in bloom or dying dramatically.”
Elena leaned against the doorframe, smiling. “Good morning, Bridezilla.”
Marisol turned, a wild look in her eyes that softened instantly. “Oh thank God, you’re up. I need a sane person, and Mom’s too busy alphabetizing place cards.”
“I’m not sane. I’m sleep-deprived.”
“Sleep-deprived or…” Mari narrowed her eyes. “Late-night stroll on the beach, maybe?”
Elena raised a brow, playing innocent. “You’re imagining things.”
But her sister’s gaze sharpened. “Wait. Did you see him?”
Elena busied herself pouring coffee. “Who?”
“Who? Elena Reyes, do not play coy with me. Adrian is staying here. You must’ve seen him.”
Elena sipped slowly. “I ran into him.”
“And?”
“And we talked.”
Mari’s eyes widened. “And?”
Elena’s lips curved just slightly. “And maybe kissed.”
Mari gasped. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”
The silence said enough.
“Oh my God!” Marisol squealed, half-dramatic, half-gleeful. “You totally did!”
“Keep your voice down,” Elena hissed, glancing toward the hallway. “We’re not announcing it to the guests!”
Mari practically vibrated. “This is the greatest plot twist ever. Are you two back together?”
“I don’t know,” Elena said honestly. “It was... real. And complicated. And ten years too late, maybe.”
Marisol came over, wrapping her arms around her. “Maybe not too late. Just... perfectly, messily timed.”
Elena exhaled. “He still has this hold on me.”
“Because he’s the love of your life,” her sister said matter-of-factly.
Elena looked away. “Maybe. But I still left him once.”
“And maybe this is your chance to stay.”
Before Elena could answer, a new voice echoed through the hallway.
“Well, well. Some things never change.”
Elena stiffened.
She turned—and there he was.
Daniel Carter.
Tall, sharp-suited, with the same smirk he’d always worn when trying to get her attention back in high school. And beside him, a gorgeous woman with sleek red hair and a diamond flashing on her finger.
“Daniel,” Marisol said with a strained smile. “Didn’t expect you till later.”
“Caught the early ferry.” He eyed Elena, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Imagine my luck. Elena Reyes, back from the ends of the earth.”
“Hello, Daniel,” she said coolly.
He leaned in for a kiss on the cheek, his cologne too strong. “Still breaking hearts?”
“I leave that to you.”
The redhead beside him chuckled. “I like her.”
“She’s got bite,” Daniel said, his eyes never leaving Elena’s. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
Elena’s stomach turned.
Marisol whispered, “Adrian’s not going to love this.”
And neither, Elena thought, was she.
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- Writer
