Page 22 of When We Are Falling

“Promise,” I say, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Just two old friends having dinner. I’ll even cook for you.”

She shakes her head with a bemused smile. “Alright, Mr. Boss Man. Let’s see if you’re as good at cooking as you are at organizing cleanups.”

I grin, excitement surging through me. “You won’t be disappointed.”

“I’ll head home for a shower and meet you at your place?”

“Just come straight to mine. You walked today?”

“I did.”

“I’ll drive then. You can shower there while I make dinner.”

She scrunches her nose up, hands palming her hips. “I don’t want to impose, and I don’t have a change of clothes, anyway.”

“I’ve got plenty of clothes you can borrow. And besides, we’re friends, right? It’s not a big deal.”

After a few seconds, she shrugs. “Okay, I guess so.”

“Great! And don’t worry, I promise not to put you in anything too embarrassing. Unless you’re into neon spandex, of course.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “I’ll take my chances.”

We walk off the beach together, the bags filled with oily sand lined up neatly for pick up. Bandit trots happily beside us, and I grin down at him. Things are falling into place.

Chapter 10

Ethan

Drivingdown the quiet streets of Harbor’s Edge, glancing over at Blake in the passenger seat. The grime and exhaustion of the day’s cleanup are all over both of us, but she still looks incredible to me in the late afternoon light.

Bandit is half in Blake’s lap, and she strokes his head as we drive in companionable silence. As we near Main Street, I sense her surprise as I turn toward one of the nicer neighborhoods, where the houses are more spread out and well-maintained.

“You live here?” She raises an eyebrow. “I thought you lived around the corner from Jake.”

“Yeah,” I reply, turning onto my cobblestone driveway. “Bought this place recently. Business has been doing really well, and this one had some unrepaired water damage from Hurricane Karen, so I got it at a good price.”

I pull up in front of my house and kill the engine. It’s a soft gray single-story house with white trim, and large windows framed by elegant plantation shutters. The lawn is pristine, andthe garden is a carefully arranged display of vibrant bushes and flowering plants.

“Wow.” She seems genuinely impressed. “This is... really nice. Not what I was expecting for your bachelor pad.”

“Thanks. I like it.”

I park the truck and jump out, quickly making my way around to open her door. She steps out, looking a bit self-conscious in her dirty clothes, and she pulls at the bandana holding back her hair, shoving it in her backpack before smoothing the strands of red down.

“Leave the thermoses in the car. Come on, let’s get cleaned up.” I lead her to the front door where Bandit is already waiting patiently to be let in.

Inside, the house is a reflection of everything I’ve worked for: modern furniture, clean lines, and a warm, welcoming color palette. The living room features a large, comfortable couch, with a sleek kitchen visible beyond it.

“Give me a second.” I head down the hallway, returning with a pair of my sweatpants and a T-shirt. “These should just about fit you. The shower’s down the hall on the left.”

“Thanks,” she says, taking the clothes from me. Our fingers brush briefly, and for a moment, we just look at each other. The chemistry between us is electric, and I know she saidno funny business, but it’s going to take all my self-control to keep that promise.

“Really, thank you.” There’s a honeyed edge to her voice.

“Anytime.”

As she heads to the guest bathroom, I watch her disappearing down the hallway, a massive smile on my face. In my ensuite, I shower quickly, trying not to think about Blake’s tight, perfect body in the shower just down the hall, hot water beating down on her skin, the room filling with steam.

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