Chapter 3
brIELLE
I’ve been to Ford’s house a few times. It’s new, or at least he’s been working on it for a year or two. For the most part, he handles pick-up and drop-off, so I never have to drive here. When it comes to Connor, Ford does his best to make it easy for me.
Even though Ford gave me the security code for the gate to the cul-de-sac and for his front door, I still hesitate when my hand covers the handle of the front door. Maybe it’s better if I press the doorbell.
This large modern lake house is as overbearing as the thought of the week ahead. At least I’ll get to stare out onto the lake.
Lake Spark is a small town where people escape the city and enjoy boutiques and cute cafés.
It’s also the place where teenage Ford and I would escape to his family’s lake house and get lost in time.
I was seventeen when I first met Ford at a party on the lakeshore, and even though we lived in separate towns and he was in college, we made it work my senior year until the summer that changed our lives.
God, why does he want to live on this lake and be reminded of everything?
It’s warm out, so I’m thankful I’m in a black tank top and jean shorts.
The door opens, and Ford greets me with a subtle grin. His white t-shirt and jeans draw me in because it only makes his eyes more intense. “Going to come in or wait for a pinecone or fox to get to you?”
As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s completely accurate for Lake Spark. The woods surrounding the lake attract foxes, and apparently, his neighbor has had a few pinecones fall onto her head on a frequent basis.
“Sorry, just taking in my surroundings.” He steps back, inviting me in with his arm. “The house looks good with the finishing touches, the outside, I mean.” I take in all the changes as I enter his house, and I’m in pure amazement. “Inside too, it seems.” Open-plan and everything state of the art.
“Thanks. The designer really picked up the vibe I was going for. Modern yet country, with a bit of local art thrown in. The pool is finished, and Connor loves that.”
I keep stepping forward until I reach the floor-to-ceiling windows, and my eyes skip the view of the outside pool and head straight to where I can’t tear my eyes away from the deep blue lake with glistening specks from the sunlight. “Beautiful,” I say softly.
“Yeah… it is.”
The way Ford’s tone lingers in the air causes me to glance at him, and I see his eyes are on me, and I wonder if they ever left since I arrived. I don’t say anything.
“Uhm, I can get your bags if you want and bring them to the guest room.” He scratches his chin which has short stubble because he’s a man now; he always was, but now he’s older and still we’re barely thirty.
“You don’t need to do that. I’ll get them in a minute.”
He tips his head in the direction of the sliding doors. “Come on, the weather is far too great to be inside. Want a drink?”
“No, thank you.” I follow him outside and again I’m caught by surprise.
The backyard is a bit more put together than the last time I was here.
The pool isn’t too big, but there is an inflatable alligator on the water.
In the corner of my eye, I see a rope hanging from a willow tree that is an equal distance between the lake and the house.
My eyes scan the scene, and I see the dock with a rowboat at the end of it, plus a small speed boat.
The patio I’m standing on has new stone tiles and lounge furniture, with a bench swing which causes me to smile. I love bench swings.
“You did a really good job. Connor must love this.” It’s a lot more than my townhouse, but nothing has been a competition between us.
Maybe internally, I’ve always known that Ford would be the cool dad with over-the-top presents, and I would be the mom with structure, and I’m okay with that.
Ford and I don’t speak negatively about one another, and I’ve never had a fear he would outshine me.
“I hope so. I guess we don’t need to worry about him sneaking girls into the house or taking off with the boat yet. Give it a few years, though.”
I huff a laugh. “If he is anything like his father then we are in serious trouble when he’s a teenager.”
“Nah, I know every possible hideout in a five-mile radius where he could sneak off to. Good luck to him,” Ford proudly states as he tucks his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.
I walk to the bench swing and flop myself down, noticing that Ford follows, sitting beside me. “This is such a difference from a few months ago when you were missing grass. It’s now a real home.”
He leans over with his elbows on his knees. “Happy you approve.”
“You don’t need my approval.”
“Still, I like it.”
Heat spreads through me at the way he says that, and it only intensifies because I can feel the warmth of his body next to me. I swallow some air and resilience.
“What time are we picking up the kiddo from camp?” I do my best to change the topic as I propel us to swing with my foot.
Ford chuckles under his breath, low, deep in his throat, and sinister. “This is where you’re going to kill me.”
My full attention whips in his direction. “What do you mean?” My foot brakes on the ground to stop the swing’s movement.
“We have a slight change of plans.” I can tell he is easing me into something.
I stand up and throw my hands to my hips. “Ford, what is going on?”
He looks up at me, with his smirk satisfied and strong. “Technically, when Connor is with me, then I make the parental choices.”
“And?” I don’t blink, and my tone must tell him that I’m not amused.
Ford slaps his hands on his knees before standing to tower over me. “He enjoyed camp last week, so I signed him up for another week.”
“What?” I shriek, fuming.
“It’s good for him.”
“He’s ten!”
“Exactly, which is why he wanted to do another week, and he will stay with Violet.”
My jaw drops, and I swear I snarl. “You should have discussed this with me!”
“He is ten miles away. I visited hockey camp several times last week and will go this week to help out. He really wants this.” Ford remains calm and collected.
I shake my head. “I can’t believe this. How the hell is this supposed to be family time if Connor isn’t even here?”
Ford says nothing, and instead crosses his arms and stares at the ground before he peers up at me with his smirk never fading. “Connor not being here is kind of the point.”
“For what?” My voice cracks.
“Come on.” Ford begins to walk toward the dock, and I trail behind, marching in pure rage, demanding answers.
“Calm down, Elle, we can use the next few days to talk and come up with a new schedule.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not staying here alone with you!”
I continue to follow him in tow as he grabs the rope from the dock post. “I think you are. Margo is expecting us tomorrow.”
“You had this planned, didn’t you? You could have called me, but you waited until I was here to tell me this change of plan.” He is so unbelievable.
“Relax. You can still study for the Bar, enjoy the lake, wear that bikini you probably packed or no bikini at all, and at the end of the week, we can pick up Connor.” Ford is completely satisfied with this situation as he calmly brings the rope to the rowboat.
My eyes dance between the boat and his hand holding the rope. “So now I’m going to be here for two weeks?” This week and another week with Connor.
“Oh, so you are staying then?” His smug look causes movement below my navel.
This is very bad.
Everything about this situation is a red flag.
Ford and I have never been alone together overnight without Connor around.
We always have safety blocks between us—our son, hockey games, and parent meetings.
It’s never been Ford and me alone in a gorgeous lake house, let alone the lake where we created a child.
I comb my hands through my hair and pull slightly as I pace a few steps back and forth, completely ready to scream.
“Who the hell does this? This is crazy.”
He ignores me. “Are you joining me?” Ford holds up the rope in the air, and all he has to do is throw the rope in the boat and row off.
“Is this a joke?”
“No. Although I do hope you put sunblock on, it’s a warm one out here.” It’s like he is oblivious to my rage.
Fuck me, he isn’t flinching, he is completely in his winning mindset. I should march right back to my car and leave, but he’s right. Margo is expecting us tomorrow, and I don’t want to let her down, especially if she asked for me.
My heart races, and I debate what to say or do. My feet shuffle a step forward then back, but ultimately, an inner power beyond my train of thought makes me move to the rowboat.
Call it curiosity, but I’m too seething to drive anywhere anyhow, so I let my hand land in his warm offered palm to help me into the boat.
The moment I sit on the seat, I know this must be the shock kicking in for being tricked. No ounce of my normal intelligence would agree to this.
When Ford steps into the boat, causing it to wobble on the water, I only watch as he sits down, slides his sunglasses on, and his muscled arms flex as he begins to row.
Do. Not. Stare. At his biceps. Just don’t do it, Brielle.
I rip my eyes away from facing him and see water around us. How did I manage to get in a boat with him? It’s like a curse was cast on me.
“Happy you decided to take a roll on my boat.” He fails at suppressing his smile.
I fold my arms over my chest and sulk, refusing to speak.
“This is going to be a quiet ride if you aren’t going to talk. But that’s okay, I need you to listen anyway.” He continues to row.
“I never get angry at you, but I might right now,” I declare.
His lips quirk out. “Oh, I’m sure you will.”
“And you seem happy about that.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
I nearly growl in aggravation. “Unbelievable. You have completely crossed a line.”
“You have no idea.” His cocky smirk doesn’t fade.
So frustrating.
Ford slows down his rowing until we’re floating. I look around to see we are far enough away from the dock that it would be a bit of a swim back.
“Why are we stopping?” I hear the caution in my voice.
“We’re enjoying the view.” His eyes don’t leave me. “Want a water or something? I packed some drinks in the box over there.”
I look over my shoulder and then do a double take when I see a little cooler. Shit, he really planned this.
“How considerate of you to trap me in this situation and provide beverages,” I say, sarcastic. But I am a little parched, so I might as well enjoy a drink. I lean back and twist my body to reach for a water bottle from the cooler.
“No, considerate would be ensuring you can’t escape so you can mull over something.”
Turning around to face him, I drop the water bottle instantly as my body freezes.
Because Ford is leaning back against the bow, legs stretched out into the middle of the boat and one arm resting behind his head as he is lying in a relaxed pose, except that a small open velvet box is on display in his hand, with a ring sparkling in the sunlight.
“What is that?” I grind out.
“Your engagement ring, Elle.”
Oh no.
This is not happening.
He is seriously doing it.
He’s on a mission to break our promise.