Page 26 of When Forever Falls Apart

I feel the weight of her gaze and let out a reluctant sigh, surrendering to her enthusiasm. “Fine.”

“The house is so close to being done,” Madelina says, her voice surprised against the backdrop of the golden afternoon. “I remember when it was nothing but a rundown shack. It didn’t even have a proper roof or walls anymore. When Eva said she was going to restore it, I thought it wouldn’t be possible and she’d have to knock it all down.”

As far back as my memories stretch, Eva had a deep affection for this property. Dad would take us out on Peppermint Lake for fishing trips in his dinghy, and for hours we would sit and wait for a bite as he spun tales that morphed with each retelling. As we grew older, his stories gained more substance, and once he hinted that the house might be haunted.

I distinctly remember Eva’s wide eyes and her desperate plea to sleep in my room that night as the chill of his words kept her awake. We were just kids, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

“Yeah, my sister knows what she wants. She puts her heart into it.”

“Speaking of hard work, I heard you worked at a Michelin-star restaurant,” Madelina remarks out of nowhere. “That’s quite the accomplishment in the culinary world.”

I just shrug and focus on our task.

Eva chose an Amalfi lemon ceramic tile to feature against the white kitchen cabinets. Not exactly my taste, but I see her vision. Madelina snaps a photo with her cell to send to Eva, a smile lighting up her face as she does.

After ensuring the glossy tiles have been correctly laid, I step away from the house. The air hangs thick and suffocating this afternoon, a reminder of summer’s relentless heat.

Drawn by the gentle lapping of waves, I wander down to the newly repaired pier. Eva insisted on fixing it to prevent injuries, knowing how easily accidents could occur.

Peppermint Lake surrounds the house and pier, its calm blue waters inviting. My boat lies a few inlets away, hidden from view.

“God, it’s stupid hot out here,” Madelina groans, her frustration evident. “The water looks so good. I’m tempted to dive right in.”

She fans herself with one hand, and I can’t help but notice the sheen of sweat that gathers along her smooth neck. I find myself staring, momentarily distracted, before shaking my head to dispel the thought.

I watch as she bends down to untie her shoes, eager to dip her toes into the cool water.

A playful smirk dances on my lips. “Who needs to jump when you can be pushed?” I tease, temptation bubbling to the surface.

She’s an easy target, much like Eva.

Plus, it serves her right for coming to work on her first day with a hangover.

In a swift motion, I give her a gentle shove, and the sudden splash of water erupts as she plunges into the lake.

“Asshole!” she splutters once she resurfaces, her brows furrowed, lips pressed tight in mock anger.

Driven by an urgent need to cool off, I strip off my T-shirt, socks, and shoes, then jump into the refreshing water in my shorts and boxers. The chill invigorates me, and when I break the surface, I catch Madelina’s hidden smile.

“You’re lucky I was dying out there, or you’d be in serious trouble for that stunt,” she says, trying to maintain her stern demeanor.

“Whatcha gonna do to me?” I retort playfully, only for her to retaliate with a splash that sends droplets flying into my face.

“Oh, you have no idea how competitive I can get, Woods. Don’t cross me. It won’t end well for you,” she warns with a gleam in her eye. “I’m a Beaumont.”

“Is that all you’ve got?” I tease, eagerly coercing her. “Trust me, I can take it.”

“Is that so?” She circles me in the water, her movements reminiscent of a shark stalking its prey. “Tell me about this Natalie girl you were supposedly madly in love with. That’s what Eva told me.”

“Nicole,” I correct her, irritation rising.

“Right, Nicole. Care to elaborate?”

I swim back, maintaining a safe distance from her probing. “No.”

The name is a cruel jab, a splinter of memory lodged painfully in my mind. It was only a few nights ago that I shut it all out and buried myself in a beautiful woman. Mind you, Stassi was, let’s just say, not as exciting as I had hoped she would be. After she came, which happened in 0.2 seconds, she told me to hurry up so she could go to sleep.

I tried to remind myself that night that Elliot Woods doesn’t fall in love. Nor does he think about forever.