The white sails of anchored boats glimmered in the morning sun, which scattered golden light over the rippling waters of Havenbrook Harbor. With her clipboard in hand and her usual precision, Ava guided the setup crew outside the boathouse. Her neatly combed hair and immaculately fitted navy dress presented a polished exterior, but beneath that glossy surface, exhaustion tugged at her bones.
Three days remained until the wedding, and every detail mattered. She needed to maintain control at all times.
"Good morning, Bennett."
She didn't need to look up. That voice—low, steady, and laced with laughter—was already familiar to her. It was Cole, Ethan.
He appeared beside her, travel mug in hand and a camera bag slung over one shoulder. Dressed in jeans and a slate-gray T-shirt, he looked relaxed yet somehow more present than anyone else around.
Her glance flicked to her watch, but she said, "You're late," out of habit. He wasn't.
Ethan gave a sly smile. "You'll just say 'hello' one day."
"I have no time for small talk."
He handed her the travel mug. "Fortunately, this isn't idle chatter. It's coffee."
Ava paused, inhaling the warm, rich aroma of roasted beans. She hadn't eaten breakfast and could use the caffeine, so she accepted it against her better judgment.
"Thank you," she said cautiously.
His brows raised in surprise, seemingly taken aback by her politeness. "At any moment."
Throughout the morning, they worked side by side. While Ethan wandered around taking candid photos of the workers laughing and sunlight streaming through the beams, Ava coordinated with the florists and furrowed her brow at her clipboard with ruthless focus.
"Stop taking pictures of me," she said sharply after catching him once more.
His reply was straightforward: "You are a part of the story."
"I am not the narrative. They are the bride and groom."
He lowered his camera and replied, "Maybe, but you're the reason their story works."
His words startled her more than they should have. Quickly, she turned away, pretending to check the linens.
Late afternoon arrived, and the rehearsal began. The bride and groom smiled nervously, bridesmaids gathered in flowing dresses, and Ethan melted into the background, capturing moments that Ava remained oblivious to until she later viewed them on his screen: hands brushing, laughter relieving tension, and eyes filled with love.
Then came the moment that made her freeze.
Ethan had captured a candid photo of her mid-lesson, her expression gentle—not stern or demanding, but subtly attentive and almost kind.
For a moment, Ava forgot who she was.
She shot a look at Ethan, but his expression was unreadable as he watched her with the camera lowered.
Something shifted in the atmosphere between them. Ava's chest constricted. She parted her lips to speak—
"Ava?"
The voice struck her like a stone dropped into still water.
She spun around.
A man in a fitted suit stood in the doorway, his dark hair styled to perfection, his smile both familiar and heartbreaking.
"Daniel," she said softly—her former fiancé.
The entire boathouse seemed to tilt for a moment. The edges of the clipboard dug into Ava's palm as her grip tightened.
Daniel stepped forward confidently, his eyes scanning the room before settling on her. "It's really you."
"Why are you here?" Ava asked, her tone revealing disbelief.
"I heard about the wedding," Daniel replied easily. "My firm has clients here. I wanted to see if Havenbrook truly lives up to the hype." His gaze flicked to Ethan and then returned to her. "I never expected you to be in charge of everything."
Ava felt her throat tighten. Unwanted memories flashed through her mind: late nights in their shared apartment, whispered vows, and the painful revelation of betrayal that had ended everything.
Ethan moved closer, his presence steady and protective. He narrowed his gray eyes, not out of curiosity but out of concern for her.
Daniel extended his hand. "So—will you introduce your... colleague to me?"
With a stiff posture, Ava replied, "This is Ethan Cole. The photographer."
Ethan didn't take Daniel's hand. Something flickered in his eyes—perhaps a warning—but his gaze remained steady and calm.
Daniel dropped his hand without a second thought. "All right then. I suppose we'll be seeing each other more often." He grinned sardonically. "Unless you'd prefer I stay away."
Ava took a deep breath. Every instinct told her to remain composed and conceal any signs of weakness. This town is small. I'll manage.
Daniel's grin widened, as if he believed he had already won something. With his footsteps echoing on the dock, he turned and walked away.
He left behind a deafening silence.
Ava's expression remained neutral as she straightened her shoulders. Her voice trembled, but she babbled, "Back to work."
Ethan silently studied her. Didn't you think that was him?
She avoided his gaze. Who?
"Whoever caused you harm."