Page 19 of Claiming My Nemesis

A playful glint danced in his eyes as he nodded towards the gazebo where Mike was already setting up. "Well, you've got your work cut out for you this afternoon," I teased, a grin spreading across my face.

Ethan chuckled—his laughter like a melody that echoed through the air. He turned to look at Mike before turning back to me. "I'm ready for it. And afterward, maybe we can catch up properly at your place."

My heart fluttered at the thought of spending more time with him, lifting my spirits and filling me with excitement. "I'd like that," I said, unable to hide the smile that lit up my face.

As Ethan made his way to join Mike at the gazebo, Jess's son, Jude, came running up to him with a baseball and glove in hand. His eyes were wide with excitement as he looked up at Ethan.

"Ethan! Will you play pitch and catch with me?" Jude asked eagerly.

Ethan's face broke into a wide grin as he looked down at the young boy. "Sure thing, buddy," he said, taking the glove from Jude and slipping it onto his hand. "Who do you usually play with?"

Jude nonchalantly shrugged, his small hand tossing the ball into the air effortlessly before catching it. His youthful energy was contagious, and Ethan couldn't help but smile at the boy in front of him. "Mostly my dad, sometimes my friends at preschool. Who did you play with when you were a kid?" he asked, genuinely curious about Ethan's childhood memories.

For a brief moment, a hint of something unspoken flickered in Ethan's eyes. But then he let out a soft laugh and replied, "I played with friends from school, too. We used to spend hours on the field, playing games and chasing each other around."

I observed their interaction from a distance, admiring how easily Ethan connected with Jude. They fell into a natural rhythm as if they had always known each other. It washeartwarming to see how much Jude looked up to Ethan. Continuing to watch them, I couldn't help but feel drawn to Ethan even more, noticing his genuine kindness and patience with children. But Jess's earlier warning lingered in my mind, reminding me to stay cautious and not let my guard down too quickly.

As Ethan tossed the ball to Jude, his phone vibrated in his pocket, interrupting his flow. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, his expression shifting instantly. The carefree smile that had been on his lips just moments ago vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow and tense jaw.

"I'll be right back," he said to Jude, handing the glove back to the boy before stepping away to take the call.

I strained to hear what he was saying but could only make out fragments of the conversation. The change in his demeanor was impossible to miss. The lightness that had been there just moments ago was replaced by something heavier—something that made my chest tighten with concern.

When Ethan returned, the shadow in his eyes hadn't lifted. "Everything okay?" I asked cautiously, trying not to pry but unable to ignore my growing worry.

He accepted the bottle of beer I offered with a nod. "Yeah, just a friend going through a tough time. Nothing for you to worry about."

His words were reassuring, but the unease in his eyes made me doubt their truthfulness. I didn't want to cause a scene in front of our friends Jess and Mike, so I let it go for now. But the nagging feeling in my gut refused to dissipate, leaving a cloud of doubt hanging between us.

As the evening wore on and the work on the gazebo was finished, Ethan and I found a quiet moment together on the back porch. The sky was ablaze with shades of pink and orange as the sun began to set. The air was still and heavy with anticipation.

“You seemed so happy earlier,” I said softly, searching his face for answers. “But now you seem distracted. What’s really going on?”

Ethan looked at me, his expression serious yet gentle, as he took my hand in his. His touch was comforting but also left me with a tingling sensation. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind, that’s all. But I’m here now, and I’m so happy to be with you.”

I wanted to believe him, to let myself bask in his love and his words, but a nagging feeling lingered in the back of my mind. Something was amiss, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on beneath the surface.

As we stood there, the last remnants of heat from the day fading into a coolness that nipped at our skin, I felt goosebumps rise along my arms. Ethan sensed my discomfort and gently squeezed my hand in reassurance, but my doubts were already consuming me.

I forced a smile and nodded, trying to push away my worries. But as we made our way back inside to rejoin the others, I couldn't help but feel guarded, knowing that my heart was still shielded by walls built from past hurt and betrayal. The night may have been beautiful, but it did little to ease the ache inside my chest.

Ten

Ethan

I pulled up to Natalie’s house, my mind still churning over yesterday’s events. The rumble of the engine faded into the peaceful suburban neighborhood as I parked in front of her quaint home. Playing catch with Jude had been a welcome distraction, but that phone call from Sophia still lingered in my mind like a persistent itch. I needed to return to Dallas soon to deal with a high-profile client, and the thought of leaving Cedar Cove—leaving Natalie—gnawed at me like a hungry beast.

But as I stepped out of the truck and saw Natalie waiting on the porch, a bright smile lighting up her face, the anxiety eased a little. She looked absolutely stunning in that simple dress, which beautifully highlighted her natural beauty. For a moment, all I could think about was how lucky I was to be here with her.

"Well, hello there, beautiful," I greeted her warmly, enveloping Natalie in a hug. The comfort of her presence against me was a soothing remedy to the strain that had been weighing me down like a heavy cloak.

"Well, well, well," she quipped back, meeting my gaze with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Are you geared up for an evening of excitement?"

“Absolutely,” I said, pushing the worries about the client’s new deal and my real life back to the corners of my mind. Tonight, I just wanted to enjoy being with Natalie and escape into this idyllic moment away from everything else.

The drive to Jess and Mike’s house was filled with easy conversation. The hum of the engine and the soft rustle of the wind through the open truck windows provided a soothing backdrop.

Natalie's words flowed effortlessly as she told me about how long Jess had been preparing for Mike’s birthday party, her animated gestures making me laugh at her descriptions of Jess's over-the-top excitement. It was a welcome distraction from the weight of everything else that had been swirling around us.

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