Page 20 of Designing Love (Bluewater Cove #2)

QUICK TRIP

Sophia

I’m picturing last night, with Ethan. I should have kissed him. He was giving me all the cues, right?

Halfway to Pearson Airport, my stomach is knotted tight.

This trip back to Vancouver is essential: sever my business ties with Daniel, tie up loose ends with my clients and employees, and end the sabotage he’s waging from afar.

If I get through this quickly, I can return to Bluewater Cove — and Ethan — free and clear, soon.

And yet, every mile feels heavier, dragging me deeper into uncertainty.

My phone buzzes from the dashboard, interrupting the music. My attorney’s nickname appears on-screen: SAM (LEGAL EAGLE) . I roll my eyes, remembering how that silly nickname stuck after a night of wine-induced brainstorming. I press the answer button, switching to speakerphone.

“Sam, your timing is impeccable,” I tease, carefully navigating through merging traffic.

Sam chuckles. “Sophia, if you think this is inconvenient, try my midnight contract negotiation clients.”

“That’s what you get for being annoyingly talented.”

“Flattery won’t lower my fees,” he retorts playfully, keys tapping rapidly in the background. “So, you’re airport-bound, right?”

“Yep,” I confirm, forcing breezy confidence into my voice. “I’ll land in Vancouver this afternoon, and we’ll end this nightmare swiftly.”

Sam’s typing pauses. “Nightmare’s about right. Are you absolutely sure you’re ready to push the big red ‘dissolve the business’ button?”

I grip the wheel tighter, and my knuckles turn white. “More than ready. We both know it’s overdue.”

“True,” Sam agrees gently. “But remember, your design business is legally entangled with Daniel. If you’re going to relocate or restructure, we need a strategy.”

A rush of annoyance prickles beneath my skin. “I don’t want anything co-owned with him anymore. No lingering connections.”

He sighs softly. “Understood. But these negotiations get ugly fast, and this one definitely could, especially when Daniel’s ego gets involved. You sure you’re willing to walk away from the brand?”

The highway widens again and I accelerate slightly, shifting lanes. “Absolutely. He can have the brand. I’ll start over… Sam, Sage told me my parents left me a hefty inheritance — I won’t starve.”

Sam replies gently. “But you earned your share of the company, Sophia. Don’t undervalue that. And we’ll circle back to that inheritance.”

A lump forms in my throat as memories of my parents surface — how proud they were when I graduated, and how proud they were of my business. But they never hid their sentiments about Daniel. If only you could see me now, I think wistfully, blinking away sudden moisture.

“Look, Sam,” I say firmly, refocusing. “I just want out. Business dissolved. Clean break.”

He pauses, concern audible. “All right. I’ll draft the initial settlement. But brace yourself. Daniel won’t be pleasant.”

I laugh bitterly. “He’s never pleasant unless he’s controlling everything around him.”

Sam snorts knowingly. “Believe me, I’m aware.”

“It’s enough dealing with his sabotage of the Miller House. For what? Having me under his thumb in Vancouver?”

A brief pause, then cautiously, Sam asks, “So this Vancouver trip — it’s just to wrestle Daniel into signing, right? Then straight back to Bluewater Cove, to Ethan?”

My heart skips at the mention of Ethan’s name, my cheeks blushing instantly. “Yeah, back home…” I admit softly. “That’s the plan.”

“That Ethan guy is something special! I knew it!” Sam’s voice brightens with satisfaction. “Your voice never sounded this dreamy when Daniel’s name came up.”

“Daniel and I were always more… practical,” I say, smiling despite myself. “This feels different. Ethan is different.”

“Different is good. You deserve someone who sees your worth. Once you’re free from this legal nightmare, what happens next?”

Before I can respond, the phone interrupts again, Ethan’s name flashing insistently. My pulse quickens, hand hovering uncertainly over the call. Traffic suddenly thickens around me, brake lights flashing ahead.

“Sophia? Still there?” Sam asks.

“Yeah. Sorry, another call just came in.”

He waits for a beat. “Ethan?”

“Yes,” I say, voice tight with anxiety. “But I can’t talk now. Traffic’s a mess. My head’s spinning.”

“I understand. Just one last thing — are you absolutely sure about all this?”

I exhale shakily, eyes fixed forward. “Yes. I need this settled — I need to be free.”

“OK. Call me when you land. Safe travels.”

“Thanks, Sam.” I disconnect and glance at Ethan’s missed call, guilt squeezing my chest.

I debate whether to call Ethan or send him a text.

But another horn blares sharply as a truck crowds my lane, forcing my attention back to the road.

Sunlight streams through the windshield, forcing me to squint. Just a few days. Handle Daniel and return home free. Home. Bluewater Cove is now my home.

I want to give Ethan the strongest version of myself — someone ready for a new beginning, not someone dragging a trail of unfinished mess behind her.

As Toronto Pearson finally comes into view, traffic thickens to an excruciating crawl. Memories of Bluewater Cove flood my thoughts — the Miller house, quirky raccoon antics, Ethan’s soft laughter. The longing strikes painfully, threatening tears.

“Pull yourself together, Sophia,” I whisper sharply. “Almost there.”

Navigating airport roads, I return the rental, grabbing my suitcase hastily. Inside, the bustling terminal envelops me with noise and movement. My phone vibrates again.

Sam : Draft ready — brace yourself.

Another from the airline.

I click on Ethan’s name.

Me: Sorry I missed your call, was on with my attorney. At security. Will text when I land.

Security crawls forward slowly, each step echoing memories: arriving uncertainly in Bluewater Cove, discovering Ethan, and finding unexpected happiness.

Finally, the agent waves me through. Another step closer to severing ties with Daniel. I move toward the gate, blending into the crowded walkway.

“Flight to Vancouver now boarding,” a voice announces overhead. Pulse quickening, I join the line, clutching my carry-on tightly.

Settling into my seat, engine noise building, my thoughts blur. Just a flight, a final confrontation, and a chance to reclaim the future I’ve chosen.

Closing my eyes briefly, I picture Ethan’s face, gentle smile, the quiet strength that grounds me. This isn’t running away; it’s moving forward toward him.

Soon enough, I’ll be back in Bluewater Cove.