Chapter 7

The grill sizzled to life as flames licked at the charcoal, sending plumes of fragrant smoke into the evening air. Bottles of chilled beer glistened on the table, condensation dripping down their sides, setting the perfect mood for the night. The rich scent of seared meat soon enveloped us, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

Nathaniel strode over with a tablet in hand, scrolling through a list of movies. "Alright, what are we watching?" he asked, glancing between Victoria and me. After a spirited debate—with Victoria insisting on a rom-com and me pushing for a thriller—we finally settled on four of the most talked-about films currently in theaters.

Nathaniel smirked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Sophia, why don’t you get cozy in the tent? It’s got the best view."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "The tent?"

"It’s all yours," he teased, laughing as I huffed but crawled inside anyway. Meanwhile, he unfolded a plush lounge chair for Victoria, who sank into it with a contented sigh, draping a soft blanket over her lap.

"My brother’s always been this thoughtful," Victoria mused, shooting me a knowing look. "Some woman’s going to be very lucky one day."

I nodded in agreement. He really was one of the good ones.

As the projector flickered to life, the chatter around us faded into hushed excitement. Nathaniel, ever the gracious host, manned the grill with practiced ease, flipping skewers and arranging them into neat portions before directing his friends to distribute them.

In that moment, I finally understood what he meant about enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

Beneath a sky dusted with stars, a cool breeze carrying the faint hum of crickets, we feasted on smoky barbecue and lost ourselves in the films. Surrounded by laughter and warmth, I couldn’t think of anything more perfect.

When the last movie ended, a group of guests pulled out guitars and a small drum set, launching into an impromptu jam session. To my surprise, Nathaniel grabbed a suona—a traditional wind instrument—and joined in, his playing lively and full of soul. The night erupted into laughter, clapping, and playful banter, the kind of joy that felt rare and precious.

From then on, I was hooked. Whenever I had a free moment, I’d rush over with my laptop, and with each visit, my bond with Victoria and Nathaniel deepened.

Two weeks later, I was dozing in Nathaniel’s car when an unknown number flashed on my phone. Assuming it was a callback for a job interview, I answered—only to freeze at the sound of Ethan’s rough, sleep-deprived voice.

"Sophia, I miss you—"

I hung up before he could finish, immediately blocking the number. Ugh.

Nathaniel returned just then, balancing two glasses of fresh juice. He handed one to me and leaned against the trunk.

"Sophia, I’ve arranged for an opera troupe to perform this weekend. Want to come?"

My eyes lit up. "Absolutely!" I’d never seen live opera before—it felt exclusive, almost like attending a private concert.

Before I could say more, my phone rang again—another unfamiliar number. Frustration prickled under my skin. Ethan just wouldn’t quit.

An idea struck me. I held the phone out to Nathaniel. "It’s my ex. Could you answer? If he asks who you are, just say you’re my boyfriend."

Nathaniel’s face turned scarlet. I hadn’t expected him to look so flustered—it was almost endearing. Embarrassed, I reached for the phone, but he was quicker, snatching it up with surprising speed.

His fingers, long and elegant, tapped the answer button. His voice, cool and smooth, carried effortlessly. "Hello?"

Silence. Then, heavy breathing.

A full minute passed before Ethan finally spoke, his tone sharp. "Who the hell is this?"

Nathaniel glanced at me, his ears burning even redder. "I’m Sophia’s boyfriend. Can I help you?"

I bit back a laugh—he sounded so polite! Maybe this would finally make Ethan back off.

But Ethan’s response was a low, furious snarl. "Sophia, you’re unbelievable."

The line went dead.

Nathaniel hesitated, clearly unsure what to say next. Finally, he met my gaze, concern flickering in his eyes. "Sophia… are you sure you want to cut ties with him completely?"

I could tell he was worried about overstepping. He was just trying to help, and I didn’t want him feeling awkward about it.

Carefully, I explained everything—how Ethan and I were over, how I had no intention of going back.

Relief softened his expression as he listened.