The Outdoor Retreat

Elliot

Weekends at Prescott Industries were usually quiet, but I had other plans.

“An outdoor retreat will boost morale,” I had told Gerald during our morning meeting. “The team’s been working hard...they deserve it.”

Of course, the retreat wasn’t entirely about team morale. It was also a perfect opportunity to get Susan out of the office and into a setting where she couldn’t easily dismiss me.

After sending out the invitations, I made a point to stop by her office. Susan looked up as I knocked lightly on her open door.

“Good morning,” I said, stepping inside.

“Elliot,” she replied, her tone cautious but polite.

“I assume you’ve seen the email about the retreat tomorrow?”

“I have,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “But I wasn’t planning on attending. Weekends are my time to recharge.”

I smiled, undeterred. “You should come. It’ll be fun. A little fresh air, some games, good food. Bring Meera, too. The more, the merrier.”

For a moment, she studied me, as if trying to decipher my true intentions.

“I’ll think about it,” she said finally, her voice nonchalant.

“Great,” I said with a grin. “Looking forward to seeing you there.”

*

Susan

When Meera called me that morning, she sounded as if she’d just won the lottery.

“We have to go,” she gushed. “Do you know how rare it is for companies to organize outdoor activities like this? Plus, there’s free food. And did you see the venue? A lakeside park! I’m already planning my outfit.”

“You don’t even work there, Meera,” I reminded her, sipping my coffee.

“Details,” she said dismissively. “Elliot invited me. Besides, you need this. You’ve been so tense lately. It’ll do you good to get out and have some fun.”

I sighed, realizing resistance was futile. Meera’s excitement was contagious, and deep down, I knew she had a point.

“Fine,” I said. “But only because I don’t want to hear you complaining all day if I say no.”

“Yay!” she squealed. “Trust me, you won’t regret it.”

Later That Day – Elliot

The sun was shining, the grills were sizzling, and the team seemed genuinely relaxed as they mingled by the lake. I made my rounds, chatting with employees and pretending I wasn’t scanning the crowd for one specific person.

And then I saw her.

Susan was walking toward the group with Meera by her side. She wore a simple sundress, her hair loose and catching the light. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

I forced myself to play it cool as I approached them.

“Glad you made it,” I said, smiling. “Hi, Meera. Welcome.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Meera said brightly.

Susan, however, simply nodded, her expression unreadable.

“This place is gorgeous,” Meera added, looking around.

“It is,” I agreed, though my eyes were on Susan.

“Well,” Susan said, crossing her arms. “What’s the agenda for today? Team bonding exercises? Corporate icebreakers?”

“Something like that,” I said with a smirk. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. That’s all I ask.”

*

Susan

Relax and enjoy myself? Easy for him to say.

Everywhere I turned, Elliot was there...laughing with colleagues, flipping burgers at the grill, organizing a volleyball game. He was charming, attentive, and annoyingly good at making people like him.

Meera, of course, was having the time of her life.

“This is so much fun,” she said, pulling me toward the volleyball court.

“I’m fine here,” I said, waving her off.

But before I could retreat, Elliot appeared with a volleyball in hand.

“Join us,” he said, his grin practically daring me to refuse.

“I’m not exactly athletic,” I said flatly.

“Then you can be on my team,” he said. “I’ll cover for you.”

Before I could argue, Meera pushed me forward. “She’s in!”

And that’s how I found myself on a volleyball court, awkwardly attempting to hit the ball while Elliot cheered me on like I was a professional athlete.

By the end of the game, I was out of breath and slightly less annoyed...much to my dismay.

As we walked back to the picnic area, Elliot leaned in and said quietly, “See? Told you it’d be fun.”

I didn’t respond, but the small smile tugging at my lips betrayed me.

Later That Afternoon – Elliot

Seeing Susan smile during the volleyball game felt like winning the lottery. It wasn’t a big, toothy grin...just a small, fleeting curve of her lips. But I’d take it.

The rest of the afternoon was a mix of games, laughter, and light conversations. I made sure not to hover too much around Susan, giving her space to breathe, but I kept a subtle eye on her. She seemed more relaxed as the day went on, even laughing at Meera’s dramatic commentary during the sack race.

As the sun began to set, I decided it was time for the final “unofficial” event of the day...a boat ride on the lake.

“Everyone who’s up for it, the boats are ready!” I called out.

Groups started gathering near the dock, and I couldn’t help but notice Susan lingering near the picnic table, seemingly debating whether to join.

“Boat rides are fun,” I said casually as I walked past her. “No pressure, though.”

She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. “We’ll see.”

*

Susan

“No pressure,” he said, but the way he glanced over his shoulder before walking off felt like anything but.

“Are you coming?” Meera asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

I sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

The boats were simple rowboats, with space for about four people each. As luck...or perhaps Elliot’s planning...would have it, Meera eagerly climbed into a boat with some other employees, leaving me standing on the dock with none other than Mr. Prescott himself.

“Looks like it’s just us,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

I gave him a pointed look. “Convenient.”

He chuckled, gesturing to the boat. “Ladies first.”

Reluctantly, I stepped in, and he followed, taking the oars. The lake was calm, the water shimmering in the soft orange glow of the setting sun.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The only sounds were the gentle splash of the oars and the distant laughter of others on the lake.

“This was a good idea,” I admitted after a while, surprising even myself.

Elliot raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-stroke. “Did I hear that right? Susan Hart actually complimented me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”

He laughed, and for a moment, it felt like we were back in college...teasing, bantering, comfortable.

But just as quickly as the memory surfaced, reality crashed back in.

“I know what you’re doing,” I said, my tone sharper than intended.

Elliot’s hands stilled on the oars. “What do you mean?”

“This whole...thing,” I said, gesturing vaguely. “The coffee, the retreat, the boat ride. You’re trying to win me over.”

He didn’t deny it. Instead, he met my gaze, his expression earnest. “Is it working?”

I blinked, caught off guard by his directness. “That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?” he asked, leaning forward slightly. “I’m not pretending, Susan. I’m not playing games. I just want a chance to show you that I’ve changed.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity.

I looked away, focusing on the water instead of the man sitting across from me. “You’re wasting your time,” I said quietly.

“We’ll see,” he replied, his voice soft but resolute.

The boat ride ended in silence, but my mind was anything but quiet.

*

Elliot

As I rowed back to the dock, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of hope and frustration. Susan was as guarded as ever, but she hadn’t completely shut me out.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

And I wasn’t giving up.