Friday mornings at Cole Enterprises were usually painfully predictable.
But not today.
Aria stepped into the lobby to find half the office gathered around the front desk, gossiping like teenagers at summer camp. A few people actually had popcorn. Someone was taking bets.
"What now?" Aria muttered as Gwen materialized at her side, coffee in one hand, phone in the other.
"You haven't heard?" Gwen whispered, eyes gleaming like a drama-hungry raccoon. "HR's investigating Charlotte and Marcus. Apparently, their little copy room moment wasn't a one-time thing. Security footage shows them making out every Thursday for a month."
"No way."
"Oh, it gets better." Gwen leaned closer. "Ethan found out this morning — and guess who's covering for Marcus on that stupid investor retreat this weekend?"
Aria blinked. "Wait. Who?"
Gwen gave her a look. "You, genius."
"What?!"
"Check your email."
Aria yanked her phone out of her pocket. Sure enough — an email from Ethan titled 'Change of Plans, Lane.'
Investor retreat at Lakehaven Resort. Friday-Sunday. You're coming. Pack something scandalously inappropriate for dinner. –E.
Aria's jaw dropped. "He didn't even ask me."
"When does he ever?" Gwen snorted. "But hey — weekend getaway. Fancy hotel. Hot enemy-turned-sorta-boyfriend. This is basically the set-up to every romance novel you pretend you don't read."
"I'm going to murder him."
"Sure, babe. Right after you kiss him again."
Before Aria could throw something at her, Ethan appeared like he'd been summoned by the sheer force of their conversation.
He looked disgustingly perfect in a navy suit, hair slightly messy like he'd just rolled out of bed late and still looked better than every other man alive.
"Lane," he drawled. "Packed yet?"
"Cole," she shot back. "You can't just assign me to random weekends away."
"I can when your boss conveniently has the flu," he smirked. "Or did you miss that memo?"
"I hate you."
"You kissed me."
Gwen made a strangled squeak and practically sprinted away.
Aria scowled. "I still hate you."
He leaned in, voice low so only she could hear. "Good. Keeps things interesting."
---
By 6 p.m., Aria found herself crammed into Ethan's sleek black car, overnight bag at her feet, silently fuming as they left the city.
She hated how good he looked behind the wheel. How he kept sneaking glances at her like she was both the punchline and the whole joke.
After an hour of silent driving, Ethan sighed. "Okay, fine. What's with the murder glare?"
"You just threw me into a weekend trip with zero warning!"
"You're my assistant," he pointed out.
"Not your emotional support animal."
"Could've fooled me with those looks you gave me last night."
Aria groaned, covering her face. "Stop bringing that up."
"Why? You keep denying it, but you like me, Lane."
"I like chocolate cake too, doesn't mean I'm marrying it."
Ethan grinned. "You compared me to cake. I'll take it."
"I compared you to something I overeat and regret. Don't get cocky."
They fell into a comfortable silence after that, the tension weirdly softer than before.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, painting everything in pinkish-orange light, Ethan spoke again.
"Dare you," he said.
She glanced over. "Dare me what?"
"To admit you're having fun."
Aria snorted. "Easy. Not having fun."
"Liar."
"Okay, fine," she conceded. "I'll admit it's better than sitting through another Friday night dodging texts from my mom about my nonexistent love life."
He grinned. "I'll take it."
"Your turn," she challenged.
Ethan raised a brow. "To what?"
"Admit something. Dare you."
He thought for a beat, then glanced at her with a crooked smile. "Fine. I was jealous when I saw that picture of you and Noah."
Her stomach flipped. "Even though it was nothing?"
"Didn't matter. I didn't like it."
The car went quiet again, but it wasn't awkward this time.
Aria stared out at the passing trees, heart weirdly light.
Maybe this weekend wouldn't be the total disaster she'd expected.
But knowing Ethan Cole?
It was going to be chaotic as hell.
And she was already in too deep to care...