Page 111 of When We Are Falling

“Hey, hard work builds character, right? I’m just making sure you guys get plenty of chances to work on yourselves.” Patrick shoots Ethan a wink.

Emmy rolls her eyes, catching my gaze, before leaning in close, her voice low so only I can hear. “I swear, it’s like watching two kids in a playground.”

She shakes her head, and we both laugh at the same time. It’s the kind of ribbing that never ends with these two—they’ve been going back and forth like this for as long as I’ve known them, and they’ve had their ups and downs, especially after Danny died. But for the first time in a while, things between them seem good.

I lean back in my chair, smiling as Jake talks about his daughter Adele’s thirteenth birthday party. He’s such a good dad, so focused on doing right by his daughter. I really hope he meets someone nice soon.

Liam clears his throat, leaning in closer to Ethan. “I’ve been thinking about the business and our plans for next year.”

Ethan raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What about it?”

“Well, you know how we’ve been running our skydiving operation solo for a while now,” Liam says. “I was thinking it might be time to expand. There’s a couple of operators in the area we could partner with. If we join forces, we could double the number of jumps we do each season. Maybe even offer more advanced training, get people certified.”

Ethan’s expression shifts, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. He leans back slightly, his hand rubbing absentmindedly at his jaw as he considers Liam’s suggestion. “I don’t know. Partnering with other operators... It’s a big move.”

Liam looks encouraged by the fact that Ethan hasn’t outright rejected the idea. “I get that. But think about it—we could grow, reach more people. It doesn’t have to mean giving up control, just collaborating. We’d still be in charge.”

Ethan’s quiet for a moment, his gray eyes focused on the table as he weighs the pros and cons. I can tell he’s torn. He’s proud of what he’s built, and the thought of letting others in probably doesn’t sit well with him. But he’s not the same person he used to be, and part of him knows Liam’s right—there’s potential here.

Finally, he nods slowly. “Alright. I’m open to hearing more about it. Let’s talk after the holidays.”

Liam’s face breaks into a grin, clearly pleased that Ethan’s even considering it. “Sounds good, man.”

I give Ethan’s hand a squeeze under the table. He glances at me, and there’s a look in his eyes that makes my stomach flip. Leaning against him, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt, it’s a reminder of how strong and steady he is, how safe I feel with him.

Jake raises his glass. “Lads and ladies, I have a million presents to wrap for a certain newly minted teenager before the night is up. I just want to raise a toast to the best group of friends anyone could ask for. And to an awesome Christmas and New Year!”

“Here, here,” Antonio chimes in, raising his glass.

We all raise our glasses, clinking them together. There’s something about this moment—about being here with everyone, with Ethan beside me—that feels as close to perfect as life can get, like everything has fallen into place.

As the conversations continue, I catch Ethan’s gaze and hold it. He returns it with a quiet look, one that says everything we don’t need words for—how much he loves me, how much he’ll always be there.

And I know I’ll always be there for him too.

Soon it’s time to go home. Lucy is closing tonight. I’ve been training her as an assistant manager so I can spend more time project managing the emergency accommodation for foster kids, and it’s been nice to get a couple of nights off a week to hang out with Bandit and Ethan.

The warmth of the Tavern fades as we step outside. I breathe in deeply. It’s late, and the town has grown quiet, the kind of stillness that only comes on Christmas Eve, most people at home in their warm living rooms wrapping presents. A faint glow comes from the street lamps, casting soft halos over the boardwalk, which has been cleared of the last of the Founder’s Day Festival decorations.

Something floats past me and I look up at the sky, noticing the first few flakes of snow drifting lazily down, catching in my hair and on the shoulders of Ethan’s jacket.

“Look,” I say softly, tilting my head toward the sky.

We stop walking and Ethan follows my gaze. “Snow on Christmas Eve. Now that’s some timing.”

He pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as the snow picks up, the flakes falling faster, coating the ground with a light dusting. It’s the kind of moment that feels almost too beautiful to be real.

I tilt my head to look up at him. There’s something about the way the snowflakes catch in his dark hair, how his gray eyes seem to soften in the glow of the lights, that makes my heart race against the cage of my ribs.

The kiss is soft, tender and sweet, his lips warm against mine as the snow continues to fall around us. I can feel him smile into the kiss, his arms pulling me closer until I’m pressed against him, the world around us disappearing in a blur of snowflakes and moonlight.

When we finally pull apart, both of us breathless, I rest my forehead against his chest. “This is… I don’t even know what to say. It’s perfect.”

Ethan’s hand moves to my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray snowflake. “You’re perfect,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “I can’t believe I get to be here with you. Like this.”

I look up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “I love you, Ethan. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

He leans down to kiss me again, the snow swirling around us.

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