Page 51 of When We Are Falling

A sense of peace settles over me despite the clamoring voices telling me to watch out, to be careful. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Ethan leans in, brushing his tender finger over my lips, before raising his glass. “Here’s to us. To new beginnings.”

I raise my wine glass, too, clinking the edge against Ethan’s glass, trying to ignore the bubble of nerves racing through my chest.

Chapter 23

Blake

As we drive backto Ethan’s house after dinner, the familiar streets of Harbor’s Edge roll by in a blur of shadow and light. Gazing out the window, the darkened town I know so well slips past. The quaint shops with their closed signs, the empty boardwalk lit by street lamps, the marina with boats bobbing gently in the water—all of it feels different tonight.

I’m trying to get my head around this new phase I’ve agreed to with Ethan—anactualrelationship. Agreeing to give it a real shot with him means someday sharing my burdens, because that’s what people do in real relationships.

I may not have a lot of experience with functioning relationships from when I was younger, but my moms, who were pretty damned good together until what happened with Mama Charlotte, have always shared their troubles, helped one another. And I want that. I really do. I want someone to love me like my moms love… orlovedone another.

God, let it not be in the past tense. If they can’t make it work, what chance do I have?

I have to have faith that my moms will work things out. And I have to really give this thing with Ethan a chance, or why bother at all? Which means sharing things, things that matter, like my worries about the financial woes of the Tidal Tavern, and maybe even about David, who still hasn’t returned my calls, even though the thought of opening up about any of it leaves me feeling intensely vulnerable.

But then I think about Ethan, about his patience and his steady presence. He’s real, solid, and I reallyreallylike him. The way he looks at me, the way he cares—it’s something I haven’t felt in a long time.

Ethan reaches over, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Thanks for dinner. I had a great time tonight.”

He understands without needing more words. “Try not to worry or overthink this, princess. We’ll figure it out. Together. I don’t have all the answers, but I know how I feel when I’m with you, and I have total faith that everything is gonna work out amazing.”

We pull up to his house and Bandit barks twice from inside before his face appears in the window beside the door, watching us. We step out of the truck, the cool night air wrapping around us, and I take a deep breath. Maybe letting someone in, relying on them, doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems.

Ethan takes my hand and leads me inside, turning on the light in the hallway and pausing there, facing me. “You get ready for bed. I’ll just let Bandit out and join you soon.” He leans down, kissing me deeply, the muscles in his cherishing arms tensing as they wrap around me, holding me in a way that letsme know he wants me, and wants to be there for me however I need him.

Stepping into Ethan’s ensuite a few moments later, turning on the overhead lights. It’s extremely clean, as usual, and beautifully decorated, with navy blue wall tiles in a rough, textured finish and small gray mosaic tiles on the floor. A wooden vanity with a large mirror sits against the back wall, and a huge walk-in shower dominates one corner.

I pause, staring at the vanity. There they are—the toothbrush, face creams, and other toiletries Ethan has bought for me over the last month or so. They sit there waiting, a quiet testament to how our lives have intertwined. I never would have predicted I’d end up in a relationship with Ethan, but now that I’m here, it feels natural,right. Scary, but right.

I brush my teeth and wash my face before pulling out my phone, my heart heavy with worry as I send David another message.Please call me. We can get through this.It’s similar to the messages I’ve sent him twenty times already. Each one marked as read, none replied to. The silence is deafening.

I stand there for a long moment, staring at the screen, willing a response that doesn’t come. Worry gnaws at me, but I can’t force him to reach out. I can only wait and hope.

Putting my phone down, the toiletries catch my eye once more. Our lives have become so enmeshed. Maybe I was stupid to hold back as long as I did. It’s not that big of a deal to make this thing between us official, right?

I stand at the sink and apply some face cream, glancing around the bathroom once more. It’s a reflection of Ethan—attractive, strong, steady. Just being in this house, with him, makes me feel secure, even when everything else is uncertain. This is a good thing.It is.

Footfalls sound in the bedroom. A soft knock on the bathroom door.

“Come in.”

He steps inside with a shopping bag from Joy’s boutique and hands it to me. “Got you something.”

Reaching inside, pulling out a beautiful set of light blue silk pajamas. “These are gorgeous. You didn’t have to do that.”

He shrugs, like it’s no big deal, but the corner of his mouth lifts in a small, pleased smile. “Just thought you might like them.”

“Your mama raised you right. Always the thoughtful one, huh?”

Something clouds his features for a brief moment before he winks. “Only for you.”

He steps up to the sink to brush his teeth, so big and masculine, his presence filling the room. His scent, a mix of sandalwood soap and something distinctly Ethan, drives me crazy in the best possible way.

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