Page 59 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
Liam stands nearby, staring out over the horizon. I lift my camera, catching the way his features soften against the backdrop of the valley.
Next, we head to Lucas’s pick - the waterfall. The sound of rushing water reaches us before we even step out of the car. When we do, it is like stepping into a hidden world. The waterfall cascades down jagged rocks, its spray catching the light and forming tiny rainbows. The air smells crisp and earthy, the kind of scent that makes you want to close your eyes and breathe deeply.
“Is it wrong to say this is my favorite?” I murmur as I snap a photo of the falls. The sound is soothing, almost hypnotic.
James, standing beside me, grins. “You just said that about the ridge.”
“Can’t I have two favorites?” I shoot back, grinning.
It was not long before Lucas and James entered a different dimension. They start arguing - about what, I am not even sure - and before long, they are both knee-deep in the pool, splashing water at each other like kids.
I laugh and take a few quick shots of their antics, their joy infectious despite the chill in the air. Wandering away from the group, I let my feet lead me to the edges of the clearing. My camera swings from its strap, forgotten for a moment, as my eyes catch something familiar. A tree near the water’s edge.
I step closer, my fingers brushing against the rough bark until I find it - the carving. Hazel + Liam. The names we etched so long ago have stood the test of time, even if we haven’t.
My fingers trace the letters as a whisper escapes my lips. “Once upon a time when I was happy.”
For a moment, I let myself feel it - the ache, the memories. But only for a moment. I step back, letting the past settle back into the tree, and return to the group.
Next is Tomas’s pick - Cove Marina. The place is alive with quiet energy - families strolling, fishermen cleaning their gear, and the occasional seagull calling out overhead.
I lift my camera once more, snapping shots of the boats, the rippling water, and the sun sinking lower in the sky. Tomas says he likes to fish and go on rides in boats whenever he is free.
“Behold the beauty of Autumn Cove,” I think to myself, snapping picture after picture. Boats, reflections, the silhouettes of the group against the fading sun - everything feels like it belongs in a magazine spread.
Maybe it is because I’m seeing these places for the first time in years, I muse internally. Maybe that is why they feel so breathtaking. Or maybe it is just that I’m allowing myself toreally see them, to let them in without the distractions of the past.
On the way back to the car, James tosses a question into the air. “Alright, Mr. Mysterious, we have hit all the spots. What is this special place of yours?”
“The beach,” Liam says simply, his tone giving away nothing.
The drive is quieter than before. The golden light of sunset spills through the car windows, and I can’t help but let my mind wander. By the time we pull up to the coastline, I already feel it - a deep pull in my chest. A wave of nostalgia crashes over me, stealing my breath for a moment; the sound of the waves crashing against the shore is so familiar it almost hurts.
I stop at the edge of the sand, my camera in hand. Memories swirl in my chest like the tide, tugging at the corners of my mind. I lift my camera and start snapping. The sky. The waves. The silhouettes of the guys scattered along the shoreline.
I watch from a distance as the videographer approaches Liam, the camera rolling. He stands near the edge of the water, his hands in his pockets, staring at the horizon like it holds every answer.
“Why’d you pick this place?” The videographer asks.
For a moment, he says nothing, arms crossed, and gazing out at the water. “For a lot of reasons,” he says, his voice even but quiet. “It is beautiful, calming - especially at night. It is also the first place I saw “my someone.” The place where I fell in love with that someone. And the place we became official.”
The words hit like a fist to my gut, and I held my breath.
The videographer hesitates. “Are you and this someone still together?”
Liam’s jaw tightens, and I see his shoulders stiffen. “No!” He says flatly. “Some things, some loves only lead to pain and hurt.”
I do not know how I manage to stay still, but somehow, I do.
After a while, I move closer to the water, letting the tide roll over my shoes. The cold stings, but it is still warm. I keep snapping pictures of the group, trying to focus on the beauty around me instead of the ache in my chest.
“Still chasing the perfect shot?”
Liam’s voice startles me. I jump, turning to glare at him. “Do you always have to sneak up on people?”
His lips twitch into a faint smirk. “Keeps life interesting.”
He stands next to me, his hands shoved into his pockets, looking out at the waves. “How are the pictures turning out?”
