Chapter 53
Rowan's POV
The first two days were almost comfortable.
Colin didn't push. We kept to a routine that worked—mornings on our laptops, afternoons on the water, evenings over dinner and whiskey. There were stretches where I actually relaxed, where I didn't check my phone every five minutes or wonder what Lena was doing right now.
Almost comfortable.
By day three, that illusion shattered.
---
Lucas showed up at the marina around two in the afternoon, all casual confidence and designer sunglasses.
"Had business nearby," he said, clapping my shoulder. "Figured I'd swing by."
I raised an eyebrow but didn't challenge it. Colin suggested we take the boat out—a midsize cruiser, sleek and fast enough to make the trip worthwhile.
The three of us settled into an easy rhythm. Colin was uncharacteristically quiet, though. Normally he'd fill the silence with industry gossip or shit-talk about mutual acquaintances, but today he kept glancing at his phone, jaw tight.
"Something wrong?" I finally asked.
"No." Too quick. "Just waiting on a call."
I let it drop. If he wanted to talk, he would.
The lake was calm, the sun bright overhead. I stood at the bow with a glass of whiskey, trying to convince myself this was exactly what I needed—distance, clarity, space.
Then Nora appeared.
---
She walked down the adjacent dock in a white sundress, small handbag clutched in one hand, that practiced fragile smile already in place.
My first instinct was to look at Lucas.
"Not me." He held up both hands immediately. "I swear. She asked where you were—I told her I had no idea."
I turned to Colin.
He coughed, avoiding my gaze. "She called. Multiple times."
"And you answered."
"She said she just wanted to talk to you." Colin rubbed the back of his neck. "Said it was important."
"How many times is 'multiple'?"
"Six. Maybe seven."
I gave him a flat look.
"Alright, alright." Colin grabbed Lucas by the arm. "Let's go check the engine."
"The engine's fine—"
"Now." Colin hauled him toward the cabin.
They disappeared below deck, leaving me alone with Nora.
---
"Rowan." Her voice was soft, trembling slightly. "Did I do something wrong?"
I set my glass down on the railing. Carefully.
"I just want to understand." She took a step closer. "Why you've been avoiding me."
"I haven't been avoiding you."
"You left town. Right before your contract with Lena expires." Her eyes were wet now, perfectly timed. "That's not avoidance?"
I didn't answer.
"Is it me?" She pressed a hand to her chest. "Did I mess up at work?"
"Your work is fine."
"Then what is it?" The tears started falling. "Just tell me what I did wrong. I can fix it."
"There's nothing to fix."
"Then why won't you look at me the way you used to?"
I turned to face her fully then, keeping my expression neutral. "The way I used to?"
"Yes." She reached for my arm, fingers light against my sleeve. "Before Lena. Before everything got complicated."
I stepped back, breaking the contact. "Nora, listen to me."
"I am listening."
"We were never together."
"But we were close—"
"Lucas asked me to look out for you. That's all it was."
Her face crumpled. "That's not true."
"It is." My tone stayed even, deliberate. "I was doing a favor for a friend."
"You're just saying that because you feel guilty about the divorce—"
The word hit like a punch.
"This has nothing to do with my marriage."
"But you're ending it," she said quickly. "Everyone knows the contract is up. You're free now. We could—"
"Stop."
She flinched.
"My relationship with Lena is none of your business." I kept my voice low, controlled. "Neither is what happens after."
"I just thought—"
"Whatever you thought, you were wrong." I picked up my glass again, more for something to do with my hands than anything else. "And the rumors you've been spreading about us? About some college romance that never existed?"
She went pale.
"Yeah, I know about those." I took a slow sip. "Stop it. All you're doing is embarrassing yourself."
"I wasn't—"
"Nora." I cut her off, not unkindly. "You're smart. You don't need to do this."
Her chin lifted slightly, a flash of something harder beneath the tears. "I love you."
"No, you don't."
"How can you say that?"
"Because if you did, you'd respect my boundaries." I set the glass down with a soft clink. "This conversation is over."
I walked past her toward the cabin, leaving her standing alone at the railing.
---
Colin and Lucas were in the galley, pretending to examine the navigation charts.
"You brought her here to force me out," I said to Colin.
He had the decency to look sheepish. "I thought she just wanted closure."
"Closure." I laughed, short and sharp. "Right."
"In my defense, she's very persuasive."
"She's also very delusional."
Lucas winced. "That's harsh."
"It's accurate." I pulled out my phone, typing quickly. "Jack. Get the car ready."
"You're leaving?" Colin straightened. "You've still got a day."
"Can't stay."
"Because of one conversation?"
"Because I shouldn't have come in the first place." I pocketed my phone. "This was a mistake."
Colin studied me for a long moment. "You know running away doesn't actually solve anything, right?"
"I'm not running."
"Sure you're not." He grinned suddenly. "You're just strategically retreating."
"Call it whatever you want."
"Will do. I'll go with 'scared shitless.'"
Lucas laughed despite himself.
I shot them both a look. "I'm leaving before I throw you overboard."
"See? That's the spirit." Colin clapped me on the shoulder. "Good luck, man. You're going to need it."
I didn't answer, just headed for the dock.
Behind me, I heard Lucas mutter, "Think he'll actually talk to her when he gets back?"
"Not a chance," Colin replied.
They were probably right.