Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Levi
The morning sunlight filters through the trees as the car winds its way along the quiet country road. The villa is just ahead, nestled on the edge of a serene lake, and I glance over at Tania. She’s staring out the window, her fingers tapping lightly against her knee, a smile playing on her lips.
“You’re not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?” she asks, her voice teasing.
“Not a chance,” I reply, grinning. “What’s the fun in that?”
She shakes her head, but her smile widens. “I don’t know why I let you get away with these things.”
“Because you love me,” I say with a wink.
Her cheeks flush slightly, but she doesn’t deny it. Instead, she leans back in her seat, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “Fine, I’ll play along. But if this ends up being some remote work retreat disguised as a vacation, I’m turning the car around.”
I laugh. “No work. I promise.”
When we pull up to the villa, Tania steps out of the car and immediately freezes. Her eyes widen as she takes in the cozy stone house, the sprawling deck overlooking the lake, and the gentle sway of the trees.
“Levi,” she says softly, her voice laced with awe. “This is... beautiful.”
“I thought you might like it,” I reply, grabbing our bags from the trunk. “I wanted to give us a little escape before everything gets crazy with the wedding.”
She turns to me, her expression softening. “You planned this?”
“Of course,” I say, shrugging. “I figured we deserved a break.”
Her smile is radiant, and she closes the distance between us, her hands brushing against mine as she takes the bags. “You’re full of surprises lately, Nichols.”
“Just wait,” I reply, smirking. “There’s more.”
The first thing Tania notices is the rowboat tied to the dock. Her eyes light up, and before I can say anything, she’s already halfway to the water, her laughter ringing out like music.
“You didn’t tell me there was a boat,” she calls over her shoulder.
“It’s a surprise,” I reply, jogging to catch up. “Everything’s a surprise today.”
She rolls her eyes but climbs into the boat, settling herself on the bench. “Are you rowing, or am I?”
I step in, grabbing the oars. “I’ll do the hard work. You just enjoy the view.”
“You mean the view of you struggling to keep us from going in circles?” she teases, her grin mischievous.
I narrow my eyes at her, though I can’t help but laugh. “I’m a natural at this.”
She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Prove it.”
It doesn’t take long for her prediction to come true. The boat spins slightly as I struggle to find my rhythm, and Tania is doubled over laughing, her joy infectious.
“Okay, maybe I’m not a natural,” I admit, grinning. “But I’m trying.”
“You’re terrible,” she says between giggles, wiping at her eyes. “But I’ll give you points for effort.”
By the time we make it to the center of the lake, we’re both breathless from laughter. The water is calm, the sky a clear blue, and the moment feels so light, so effortless, that I can’t help but reach for her hand.
“Thanks for coming with me,” I say softly.
“Thanks for bringing me,” she replies, her smile softening. “This... this is perfect.”
We picnic on the shore, a blanket spread out beneath us as we dig into a basket of her favorite foods. Tania laughs as I struggle to open a bottle of sparkling water, the cork refusing to budge.
“Need help?” she asks, her tone teasing.
“I’ve got this,” I reply stubbornly, only for the cork to finally pop with a loud crack , sending a spray of water everywhere.
She squeals, holding up her hands as the droplets hit her dress. “Levi!”
“Oops,” I say, grinning sheepishly. “I told you I had it.”
She glares at me, though the corners of her mouth twitch with suppressed laughter. “You’re lucky I like you.”
“I’m lucky you love me,” I counter, handing her a glass.
She shakes her head but clinks her glass against mine, her smile breaking free. “Cheers to surviving the sparkling water debacle.”
“Cheers,” I reply, laughing.
As the day winds down, we sit on the deck wrapped in a blanket, the lake shimmering in the moonlight. The stars above are endless, their light casting a soft glow over the water.
“Did you ever think we’d be here?” Tania asks, her voice quiet.
I glance at her, her profile silhouetted against the night sky. “Honestly? I hoped. But I didn’t know if we’d find our way back.”
She looks at me, her eyes filled with something I can’t quite name. “I’m glad we did.”
“Me too,” I say, my voice soft. “You’ve given me more than I ever thought I’d have, Tania.”
She rests her head on my shoulder, her hand slipping into mine. “You’re not so bad yourself, Nichols.”
I laugh lightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll take that as a win.”
We sit in comfortable silence, the world around us fading as we hold each other close. And for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels exactly as it should.