When Lucas first mentioned a weekend getaway, I hesitated. We’d been distant—wrapped in our own worlds—and the thought of spending two full days alone with him in some secluded place seemed... unnerving. But then again, maybe it was what we needed. A chance to break the awkward silence that had grown between us like a stubborn weed. So, despite my reluctance, I agreed.
Lucas drove us far out of the city, the concrete skyline replaced by rolling green hills and dense trees. The landscape was breathtaking, the kind of serene beauty that made you forget about deadlines and obligations. The air was crisp, fresh, and carried the scent of pine, reminding me of childhood camping trips.
I glanced at Lucas as he navigated the winding road. His jaw was tense, focused, but every once in a while, his gaze would flicker toward me. There was something unreadable in his expression, something that made me wonder if this trip wasn’t just about relaxing but about something deeper.
“So, a cabin in the middle of nowhere?” I asked, breaking the silence. “Didn’t peg you for the outdoorsy type.”
His lips twitched into a slight smirk. “I’m full of surprises.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled despite myself. “Right. Lucas Sterling, mystery man.”
He chuckled, and it was the first time in a long while that I heard genuine amusement in his voice. “You’ll see. It’s not that bad.”
When we arrived, I was taken aback by how small and cozy the cabin was. It wasn’t what I expected—no sprawling mansion or luxury villa, just a simple, rustic retreat tucked away in the woods. The wooden structure blended seamlessly into its surroundings, with tall trees towering overhead and the sound of birds chirping in the distance. It felt peaceful, almost like stepping into another world.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, I’ll admit it. This is nice.”
Lucas looked at me, his eyes softening. “I thought you’d like it.”
We unloaded the car, and Lucas carried most of the bags inside, while I wandered around the cabin. The inside was just as charming—wooden beams, cozy furniture, and large windows that let in the golden afternoon light. There was a stone fireplace in the corner, and I could already imagine us sitting there later, the warmth of the fire chasing away the evening chill.
“Are you sure you didn’t rent this place for yourself?” I teased as I walked into the kitchen where Lucas was setting down a few groceries.
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just so... simple,” I said, leaning against the counter. “Not exactly what I pictured when I thought of Lucas Sterling’s idea of a weekend away.”
He gave a small, almost self-deprecating laugh. “Believe it or not, I’m not always about luxury hotels and five-star restaurants.”
“Oh really?” I crossed my arms, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “Then what’s your idea of a perfect weekend?”
He thought for a moment, his expression softening. “Somewhere quiet. No business calls, no meetings... just peace. Maybe a good book and a glass of wine.”
I blinked, surprised by the simplicity of his answer. I had always assumed that Lucas thrived in the chaos of his fast-paced life, that he preferred the noise and constant activity of the city. But here he was, talking about solitude and quiet moments.
“You’re not what I expected,” I said quietly, almost to myself.
He looked at me then, really looked at me, and for a moment, it felt like the walls we had built around ourselves were starting to crack. “Maybe we both have a lot to learn about each other.”
I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. “Maybe.”
We spent the rest of the day settling in. It was strange, being in such close proximity to Lucas with no distractions. No business meetings, no social events—just the two of us. There was an underlying tension in the air, but it wasn’t the uncomfortable kind. It was more like... anticipation. Like we were both waiting for something to happen, even though neither of us knew what that something was.
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Lucas surprised me by suggesting we cook dinner together.
“I’m not much of a chef,” I warned him, tying an apron around my waist. “So if you want anything edible, you might want to take the lead.”
He grinned, and the sight of it made my heart skip a beat. “I’ve got it covered. Just follow my lead.”
We worked side by side in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces. It was... fun, in a way I hadn’t expected. Lucas was surprisingly good at cooking, moving around the kitchen with an ease that made me wonder if this was something he did often. Every now and then, our hands would brush against each other, sending little sparks of electricity through me. Each time, I would glance up at him, only to find him already looking at me with a soft, almost curious expression.
At one point, I accidentally knocked over a bottle of olive oil, and Lucas caught it just in time, his hand brushing against mine. We both froze, our eyes locking for a brief moment that felt like it stretched on forever. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and I wondered if he could hear it too.
“Careful,” he said, his voice low and steady.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, my cheeks flushing as I pulled my hand back.
For the rest of the evening, the atmosphere between us shifted. It was lighter, more relaxed, but there was also a deeper current running beneath the surface—something unspoken but undeniably there. After dinner, we sat by the fireplace, sipping wine and talking about everything and nothing at all.
“Do you miss it?” I asked him after a while, staring into the flames. “Your life before... everything.”
Lucas was silent for a moment, and I could see the way his jaw tightened, the flicker of something in his eyes. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “But I guess... things change. You learn to adapt.”
I nodded, understanding more than he realized. “Yeah. I get that.”
He glanced at me then, his green eyes softening. “What about you? Do you miss anything?”
I thought about it for a moment before answering. “I miss... simplicity. I miss not having to worry about everything all the time. But at the same time, I think I’ve learned a lot from all of this. I’ve grown stronger because of it.”
He smiled slightly. “You’re stronger than you think, Mia.”
His words sent a warmth through me that had nothing to do with the fire. I looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time, I saw beyond the cool, controlled exterior. I saw the man behind the walls—the man who had lost so much, who had taken on more responsibility than anyone should have to bear.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“For what?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“For bringing me here,” I replied. “For... this.”
Lucas didn’t say anything for a moment, but when he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost hesitant. “I’m glad you came.”
We sat there in silence for a while longer, the fire crackling softly in the background, the weight of everything we weren’t saying hanging in the air between us. And for the first time in a long time, I felt... okay. I wasn’t sure what would happen next, but for now, in this moment, things felt right.