Chapter 4:Closer than she expected
824 Words
The ink was barely dry on the contract when reality set in.
Sophia had just signed a deal with the one man who had broken her heart. A year-long contract that bound her to Sinclair Resorts, working alongside Ethan, seeing him regularly, and—worst of all—pretending the past didn’t still haunt her.
She exhaled slowly, folding the papers as Ethan’s eyes stayed locked on her. His presence was overwhelming in ways she hated to admit. The same magnetic energy that had once drawn her to him still lingered between them, no matter how much she wanted to ignore it.
“This is a smart decision,” Ethan said, breaking the silence.
Sophia scoffed. “For you, maybe.”
Ethan smirked but said nothing. Instead, he reached for his phone and sent a quick message. A moment later, a sleek black SUV pulled up outside the café.
“We have a meeting at the resort,” he said, standing. “I’d like you to see the event space firsthand.”
Sophia blinked. “Now?”
Ethan gave a slight shrug. “No time like the present.”
She bit back a groan. She should’ve expected this—Ethan always worked on his terms. She grabbed her bag, following him to the car. The driver opened the door, and before she could protest, Ethan placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her inside.
She tensed at the contact, the brief warmth of his touch sending an unwanted shiver down her spine.
This is business, she reminded herself. Nothing more.
The Sinclair Resort
As the SUV pulled up to the massive construction site, Sophia stared out the window, momentarily stunned. The Sinclair Resort & Spa was still in progress, but it was already breathtaking. Large glass windows reflected the late afternoon sun, casting a golden hue over the modern architecture.
Ethan stepped out first and offered her a hand. She ignored it, climbing out on her own.
His lips twitched in amusement. “Still stubborn, I see.”
She shot him a glare. “Still arrogant, I see.”
Ethan chuckled. “Come on, let me show you around.”
As they walked inside, Sophia took in the grand interiors. The lobby, though unfinished, was already impressive—high ceilings, marble floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the cliffs and ocean beyond.
She had to admit, Ethan had taste.
They stepped into a large event hall where the floral arrangements would be set up. The space was massive—chandeliers dangled elegantly from the ceiling, and large windows flooded the room with natural light.
“This is where the first major event will take place,” Ethan said, gesturing around. “A high-profile wedding in three months. You’ll be handling all the floral designs.”
Sophia’s heart pounded. This wasn’t just any job—this was huge.
She walked deeper into the room, already envisioning how she would transform the space. Soft pastels for a romantic touch, cascading floral arches, lush centerpieces…
She turned to Ethan, her excitement briefly overriding her tension. “What’s the theme?”
He studied her, as if pleased by her interest. “Classic elegance with a modern twist. The bride loves roses and peonies.”
Sophia nodded, her mind racing with ideas. “I’ll need a full budget breakdown, access to the space for mock setups, and—”
Ethan held up a hand, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Everything you need will be provided. Just focus on creating something unforgettable.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You make it sound easy.”
“It is easy,” he said smoothly. “For you.”
Something about the way he said it sent a flutter through her chest. She hated that he still had that effect on her.
An Unexpected Moment
After the tour, Ethan led her through the back gardens of the resort, where a small outdoor terrace overlooked the ocean. The sun was beginning to set, casting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink.
Sophia sighed. “I have to admit… this place is beautiful.”
Ethan glanced at her. “Coming from you, that’s high praise.”
She shot him a look. “Don’t get used to it.”
A rare, genuine chuckle escaped him. For a moment, they weren’t two people with a complicated past. They were just Ethan and Sophia—two people standing beneath a sunset, sharing a moment of quiet appreciation.
But reality crashed back in too soon.
Ethan’s phone buzzed, breaking the spell. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.
“I have to take this,” he said. “Stay here—I’ll be right back.”
Sophia nodded, watching as he stepped away. She leaned against the railing, letting the salty ocean breeze fill her lungs.
Her heart was still racing from being around him.
This was going to be harder than she thought.
- Writer
