Chapter 8

Sophie hadn't expected this.

It had started with a casual conversation, one of those late-night chats after too many cups of coffee and laughs. Ethan had mentioned the idea of a vacation, a break from the madness of work, blind dates, and constant matchmaking pressure from his family. At first, Sophie had brushed it off, but then Ethan had insisted, saying that they both needed a break from the chaos.

It wasn't like he was asking for a romantic getaway—no, this was just a trip between two friends who happened to have an unspoken bond that neither had acknowledged. Still, it was a big deal. A vacation? With Ethan? Alone?

After a quick chat with Tom, her boyfriend, who, surprisingly, didn't mind at all, Sophie agreed. Tom had laughed and said, "Go have fun. Take a breather. You deserve it." She had almost expected him to act jealous or upset, but he seemed strangely calm. Maybe he trusts me too much, Sophie thought as she packed her suitcase.

---

They arrived at a beach resort in Malibu, a place with turquoise water, sandy shores, and the kind of sun that made you forget about anything else. As soon as they got out of the car, Sophie could feel the heat of the sun on her skin, the salty breeze tousling her hair, and the excitement of something new in the air.

Ethan was already ahead of her, striding down the path to the beach with his usual, cool demeanor. He looked like a guy who had it all together, but Sophie noticed a subtle difference today—he seemed more relaxed, less domineering. Maybe he was just happy to be away from everything. Or maybe it was the fact that they were away from his overbearing family and matchmaking schemes.

She caught up to him, still unsure what exactly they were doing. "So, what's the plan here?" Sophie asked, looking out at the shimmering blue waves.

Ethan glanced over at her, a grin forming on his lips. "The plan? No plan. Just enjoy the beach, the sun, and the freedom."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Freedom? I like the sound of that."

They dropped their bags by a cabana, and Sophie could feel her excitement bubble up. She'd never been to a beach resort before, let alone one this fancy.

---

Later that afternoon, after grabbing a quick bite to eat at the beachside café, Sophie slipped into her swimsuit for the first time ever. It wasn't just any swimsuit—it was a bikini. A daring choice for someone who hadn't felt entirely comfortable in her own skin for a long time. But she was determined to enjoy this vacation.

She stood in front of the mirror in her room, looking at her reflection. She was curvier than she'd ever realized, and while she had never been one to wear makeup or show off, today felt different. Today, Sophie was going to wear the bikini for herself. She wasn't doing this for Tom, or anyone else.

After taking a deep breath, she grabbed a cover-up and headed out the door.

---

Ethan was already at the beach, lounging under the shade of a cabana, his sunglasses low on his nose. He didn't expect anything more than the usual Sophie—jeans and a t-shirt, always keeping things modest. But when she appeared, his heart skipped a beat.

Sophie stood there in the entrance to the beach, the sunlight casting a golden glow around her. The wind lifted her cover-up, and he couldn't help but notice how different she looked. There she was, standing in a simple black bikini, her curves just enough to turn heads without trying. She was confident in her own skin, and for the first time, Ethan saw her as not just Sophie—but as a woman.

"Hey, Ethan," she called out, a little shyly but with a smile.

Ethan's usual cold demeanor cracked, just for a second. His jaw tightened, and he quickly took off his sunglasses. "Uh... wow." He cleared his throat, trying to act casual. "You look... uh... great."

Sophie's face turned slightly red, but she shrugged it off, walking toward him. "Thanks. I don't usually wear stuff like this, but... I figured why not?"

"Yeah, why not?" Ethan repeated, trying to sound more confident than he felt. But his eyes couldn't help but wander down her body, noticing every curve, every little detail. She was beautiful in ways he hadn't even begun to comprehend.

Sophie reached the cabana and sat down next to him, unbothered by how awkwardly quiet the moment had become. "You know, this is the first time I'm wearing a bikini. Ever."

Ethan could barely contain his shock. "You've never worn one before?"

She shook her head. "I mean, I've always been a bit... shy, I guess. Never thought I could pull it off, you know?" She laughed lightly. "But here I am, trying it out. Thanks to you."

Ethan didn't know how to respond. He wasn't good with words in moments like these, but he wanted to say something—something to let her know how incredible she looked. But instead, he stayed silent, taking a deep breath to calm his rising emotions.

---

They spent the rest of the afternoon by the water, joking, laughing, and even going for a swim. Sophie seemed at ease, enjoying the sand between her toes, the cool water, and the carefree atmosphere. Ethan couldn't help but notice how natural she was in her own skin—how effortless it seemed for her to be herself, when all he wanted to do was keep her to himself, but he couldn't.

As the sun began to set, they sat side by side on the beach, the last of the day's heat warming their bodies. Sophie leaned back on her hands, her face turned toward the orange and pink sky.

"This was a good idea," she said softly. "I really needed this."

Ethan, despite his inner turmoil, nodded. "Yeah. Me too."

Sophie glanced at him. "I'm glad you're here, Ethan."

And for a moment, he let his guard down, just a little. His hand brushed against hers, and though it was casual, it felt like an electric shock. She didn't notice, of course. But Ethan did.

And for the first time in a long time, he wondered if he could ever tell her how he felt.