Packing a duffel bag for the weekend should be simple, but my head won't stop spinning long enough to focus. I toss in a couple of flannels, a few pairs of jeans, and some basics before realizing I haven't even checked the weather for the cabin. I pause, phone in hand, staring at the screen but not really seeing it. It's not the weather I'm worried about.

This trip feels... important. More than just a getaway. Elias and I have planned every detail, right down to the moment we tell Valarie we love her. Together. At the same time. It seemed like a good idea when Elias suggested it. A unified front, no competition, just honesty. Now that it's close, though, I'm wondering if it's too much. What if we overwhelm her? What if she freaks out?

I rub the back of my neck, pacing the small space of my bedroom. Valarie's not the kind of woman to scare easily, but this is a big step. Bigger than anything we've done so far. And yet, I can't shake the feeling that she deserves this grand gesture, that she deserves to know exactly how much she means to us.

My eyes drift to the small velvet box on my dresser. The gift Elias and I picked out together. A symbol of everything we're building with her. It's not flashy or over-the-top, but it's meaningful, something we can add to over time. Even Adrian, if things go that way. I run my thumb over the edge of the box, resisting the urge to open it. That moment is for her, not for me.

Adrian. The thought of him sends a ripple of unease through me. Boys' night was fine. Better than fine, actually, but I can't stop analyzing everything he said, every move he made. He's not like me or Elias. He's polished, reserved, and comes from money. It's not a bad thing, but it's different, and different has a way of messing with your head.

I trust Valarie, trust what we have, but sometimes I can't help but wonder. What if she finds something in Adrian that she doesn't find in me? It's a ridiculous thought, one I have no evidence to back up, but it lingers, gnawing at the edges of my confidence. I shake my head, trying to shove the insecurity aside. This isn't about competition. It never has been.

I zip up the duffel, tossing it onto the couch as I check the time. Elias is supposed to be meeting me here before we pick up Valarie. I glance around the apartment, making sure I haven't forgotten anything, when there's a knock at the door.

"Right on time," I mutter, heading over. But when I open the door, it's not Elias standing there.

It's Gina.

For a second, I freeze, caught completely off guard. Then I school my expression, locking it down into something cold and unreadable. "What do you want, Gina?"

She tilts her head, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Can't I visit my husband?"

"Ex-husband," I correct her sharply, gripping the edge of the door. "And no, you can't. What do you want?"

She pouts, leaning against the doorframe like she owns the place. "Don't be like that, Declan. We used to have fun together, remember?"

Fun. Sure. If you count manipulation and walking on eggshells as fun. I tighten my jaw, blocking her attempt to step inside. "I'm not doing this. Say what you need to say and leave."

She sighs dramatically, brushing a strand of perfectly styled hair over her shoulder. "Fine. I just wanted to see you, catch up. It's been a while."

"Not long enough," I mutter under my breath, but she catches it, her smile faltering for a split second.

I cross my arms over my chest, forcing myself to stay calm. Seeing Gina always drags up memories I'd rather leave buried. Late nights spent arguing over nothing, the constant feeling of never being enough, the way she twisted every little thing into a power play. And that was all before she cheated. The cheating was just the icing on the already fucked up cake.

Our marriage was doomed from the start, and deep down, I think we both knew it.

"Look," I say, keeping my tone flat, "I don't have time for this. Whatever you're here for, it's not happening."

Before she can respond, there's another knock at the door. I glance over her shoulder and see Elias standing there, a look of confusion on his face.

"Uh, am I interrupting something?" he asks, his gaze flicking between Gina and me.

"Not at all," I say, stepping aside to let him in. Gina doesn't move, her eyes narrowing as Elias walks past her.

"And who's this?" she asks, her tone dripping with faux sweetness.

"None of your business," I snap, finally losing the last shred of patience I had. "You need to go, Gina."

Elias raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the show. "Friend of yours, Declan?"

"Not anymore," I mutter, giving Gina a pointed look. "Goodbye, Gina."

She huffs, clearly annoyed that she's not getting the reaction she wanted. "Fine. But don't think this is the last you'll see of me. I'll be back."

I slam the door shut as soon as she's out of the way, leaning against it with a sigh. Elias smirks, crossing his arms as he watches me. "So..."

"Don't start," I warn him, grabbing my duffel from the couch. "Let's just go."

"Fine, fine," he says, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But you owe me a story on the way to Valarie's."

I roll my eyes, slinging the bag over my shoulder as we head out to the parking lot. My rarely-used SUV is parked near the entrance, and I can't help but think about how much more I've been using it since Valarie and Elias came into my life. With Adrian in the picture now, I have a feeling it's going to see even more use.

As I start the engine, Elias glances at me from the passenger seat. "So, Gina?"

I groan, already regretting the drive ahead.

Elias and Valarie both already know that I used to be married, but they don't know everything. Especially that Gina occassinally shows up at my apartment, and sometimes my job, unannounced. Our divorce doesn't stop her from trying to rekindle something I have burned to ash.

I grip the steering wheel a little tighter, debating how much I want to say. Elias isn't one to let things drop, though. He leans back in his seat, arms crossed, clearly ready to press until he gets something.

"Gina's the ex," I say finally, keeping my eyes on the road. "She likes to show up uninvited every now and then, usually when she wants something."

Elias whistles low, his curiosity sharpening. "What does she want this time?"

"Hell if I know," I mutter. "She didn't get a chance to tell me before you showed up, thankfully."

Elias lets out a laugh. "Glad to be of service. But seriously, man, she seemed... persistent."

Persistent is one way to put it. Gina has a way of lingering like smoke—pungent and impossible to ignore. "She always is. Doesn't mean I'm going to entertain her."

Elias studies me, his usual playful smirk dimming a little. "You good, though? I mean, dealing with that kind of history has to suck."

I glance at him briefly, surprised by the genuine concern in his voice. "I'm fine. It's been over for a long time. I'm just pissed she keeps trying to dig up the past."

He nods, seeming satisfied with my answer, but I know Elias well enough by now to recognize he's holding back more questions. He's never one to leave a stone unturned, especially when it comes to people he cares about.

We drive in silence for a while, the hum of the engine filling the space between us. My mind wanders back to Gina, and I can't help but replay the brief encounter. Her flirty tone, the way she called me her husband like nothing had changed—it grated on me. She knows exactly what buttons to push, and for years, I let her. Not anymore.

Elias clears his throat, breaking the silence. "So, what's the deal with her? You've mentioned the divorce, but not much else."

I exhale slowly, knowing he won't let it go until I give him something. "We were young. Stupid. Got married for all the wrong reasons. She wanted someone stable; I wanted to prove I could make it work despite everything."

"And?" Elias prompts, his tone gentle but insistent.

"And it didn't work," I admit, my grip on the wheel tightening. "We fought constantly. She cheated. We divorced. End of story."

Elias leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Sounds like a nightmare."

"It was," I say flatly. "But it's over. It's been over for five years. Valarie's the only thing I'm focused on now."

A grin spreads across Elias's face. "Speaking of Valarie, you ready for this weekend?"

I chuckle despite myself, glad for the shift in topic. "As ready as I'll ever be. You?"

"Hell yeah," he says, his enthusiasm contagious. "But you've gotta admit, this is big. I mean, telling her we love her... together. Not exactly a normal relationship milestone."

I nod, my thoughts drifting to the velvet box tucked away in my bag. "It's not normal, but it's us. And I think she's ready."

Elias claps me on the shoulder, his confidence bolstering my own. "Damn right she is. We've got this."

We pull up to Valarie's building, and I park the SUV in my usual spot. As we head inside to grab her, I can't help but feel a flicker of anticipation. This weekend is a step forward, a chance to solidify everything we've been building. Gina and her bullshit are in the rearview mirror, and I intend to keep it that way.

Valarie deserves all of me—baggage and all—and I'll be damned if I let anything, or anyone, get in the way of that.

***

The SUV crunches over the gravel driveway as we approach the cabin, the structure looming ahead like something out of a postcard. It's secluded, surrounded by tall pines and blanketed in the kind of silence you can only find this far out. Elias sits in the passenger seat, tapping his fingers on his thigh, while Valarie hums along to the radio from the back. She's been quiet most of the drive, but the energy radiating off her is electric.

I kill the engine and step out, the crisp mountain air hitting me immediately. There's something about this place—calm and chaos wrapped into one. I glance back at Valarie, who's staring up at the cabin with wide eyes. Her lips part like she's about to say something, but she doesn't. Just smiles. That smile always guts me.

"This is fucking perfect," Elias says, breaking my train of thought. He stretches, looking around like he's claiming the land as his own. "Good pick, man."

I shrug, grabbing the bags from the trunk. "It'll do."

Valarie hops out, pulling her jacket tighter around herself as she takes everything in. "This place is gorgeous," she says, her voice soft but full of wonder.

"Wait until you see inside," Elias says, grabbing his own duffel and slinging it over his shoulder. "Declan went all out with this one."

She laughs, shaking her head as she follows us to the porch. "I'm not surprised. He seems like the type to go big or go home."

Elias grins at me over his shoulder. "She's not wrong."

The cabin's interior doesn't disappoint. It's warm, inviting. Like the kind of place you'd see in a movie where everyone magically becomes a better person by the end of the weekend. High ceilings, a stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a view of the lake glistening in the distance.

"Holy shit," Valarie breathes, turning in a slow circle. "This is amazing."

"It'll do," I repeat, earning a playful shove from her as she passes by.

Elias drops his bag by the couch and whistles low. "Alright, where's this legendary bedroom you were bragging about?"

I nod toward the staircase. "Upstairs. Come on."

The main bedroom is massive, taking up nearly the entire top floor. The centerpiece is a four-poster bed big enough to comfortably fit all three of us. Dark wood, soft linens. It's a mix of rugged and luxurious. The kind of bed that invites you to stay in it all day, consequences be damned. And we just might.

Valarie stops in the doorway, her eyes widening. "Okay, this is ridiculous."

"Ridiculously comfortable," Elias quips, diving onto the mattress and spreading out like a starfish. "Yep. I'm never leaving."

I set the bags down near the closet, watching as Valarie steps further into the room, running her fingers along the smooth wood of the bedframe. There's something almost reverent in the way she moves, like she's taking it all in piece by piece.

"This is... a lot," she says, glancing back at me.

I shrug, leaning against the wall. "You deserve a lot."

Her eyes soften, and for a moment, the air between us shifts. Elias clears his throat, breaking the spell as he props himself up on his elbows. "Alright, lovebirds. Let's get settled before Valarie decides we're too extra and kicks us out."

Back downstairs, we unpack groceries and start making dinner. The cabin's kitchen is a dream. Stainless steel everything, plenty of counter space, and a view of the trees that almost makes you forget you're cooking.

Valarie takes charge, of course. She's got this way of slipping into control without making it feel forced. "Elias, chop the vegetables. Declan, you're on garlic bread duty."

"Yes, ma'am," Elias says with a mock salute, grabbing a cutting board.

I grab a loaf of bread and a knife, smirking to myself. "Bossy."

She raises an eyebrow, not missing a beat. "Efficient."

Elias laughs, slicing a carrot with more enthusiasm than necessary. "She's got you there, man."

The banter flows easily, filling the cabin with warmth. It's moments like this that remind me how fucking lucky I am to have these two in my life. Even when the insecurities creep in. About Adrian, about whether Valarie will freak when we drop the L-word. I can't deny how right this feels.

As I butter the bread, I catch Elias sneaking a piece of carrot. "That for the stir-fry or your snack stash?" I ask.

He grins, popping it into his mouth. "Both."

Valarie shakes her head, tossing a glance over her shoulder. "You're impossible."

"You love it," he shoots back, and the way her lips twitch tells me he's right.

Dinner comes together quickly, the three of us falling into an unspoken rhythm. It's not perfect. Elias almost burns the chicken, and I accidentally slice the bread too thin, but it's ours. And as we sit down at the table, plates piled high, I can't help but think that this is exactly what I've been chasing. Not just love, but connection. A home.

Elias raises his beer in a toast. "To the best weekend ever."

Valarie clinks her glass against his, her eyes shining. "I'll drink to that."

I lift my own glass, meeting both their gazes. "To us."

It's a simple toast, but the weight of it settles in my chest. Because that's what this weekend is about. Us. Building something real, something lasting.