Page 56 of When We Are Falling

Once we’re alone, Ethan pulls me aside, leaning back against one of the big glass windows of the now dark community center, his thighs bracketing mine as I stand in front of him. His previous smile is gone, eyes now filled with concern. A sinking feeling moves through me: I know what’s about to come next.

“Blake, what’s really going on? You’ve been off this evening. And there’s no dance class about to start, so don’t brush me off.”

“I’m really fine.” But he sees right through it, looking inside, making me feel bare, vulnerable.

“Hey, we agreed to give this relationship a shot. That means I’m here for you. That we can rely on each other, right?”

I’m so uncomfortable I’m fighting the urge to just start running down the street, putting as much distance between us as possible. But the way Ethan’s looking at me, like his life’s mission is to make me happy, to take away my burdens, makes me pause. I give a small nod.

“So tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s just... the mortgage on the bar needs to be paid, but earnings are way down because of the oil spill, and I don’t want to tell my mom.”

“She’s not going to blame you.” His hand strokes my arm gently, grounding me. “Just talk to her about it.”

“It’s not just that. I didn’t tell you before, but my moms are having some trouble. Mama Charlotte left a few months ago. She rented a place in Philadelphia and they’ve supposedly trying to figure out their relationship, but they hardly talk and never see each other. It’s been really hard on Mom, and I don’t want to burden her.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

I pause, feeling a lump in my throat. “She’s been a little fragile lately. If she thinks I’m falling apart, it might push her over the edge. I can’t risk that.”

Ethan’s expression softens, and he pulls me into a hug. “You don’t have to do this alone. Let me help.”

The sincerity in his voice makes me feel a little lighter, but there’s nothing he can do. “Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anything that will help. Unless you’re a miracle worker.”

He holds me tighter. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

Part of me is still desperate to sprint away, to put distance between the two of us, but another part enjoys the feel of his arms around me, his promise that everything is going to be okay.And so I lean in, letting the broadness of him wrap around me, closing my eyes. Breathing him in.

Chapter 25

Ethan

After another longmorning of managing my clean up team on the beaches around the lighthouse, the sun is high in the sky. Some of the heat is starting to fade, though, the days getting shorter and less humid. Summer’s just about gone.

The other volunteers have already left, and the rescued animals have been picked up. Blake and I stand by my truck in the parking lot beneath the lighthouse, while waves crash on the sand and a southerly breeze whips the loose strands of Blake’s ponytail around her beautiful face.

The place feels rugged and a little desolate with no tourists posing for photos, and the bar beneath the lighthouse is still closed after it was damaged by Hurricane Karen and the owners couldn’t afford to get it fixed.

It’s been a few days since Blake opened up to me about her worries about the bar, and things between us feel like they’ve entered a new and precious phase. Like we’re nurturingsomething fragile, something worth more than any possession I’ve ever owned.

She’s standing in front of me wearing her standard clean-up clothes: cut-off jeans and a T-shirt, and she’s never looked more perfect. She links her arms around my neck and leans in, kissing me deeply, the kind of kiss that makes everything else fade away.

My hands skim her curves, my need for her ramping up in an instant as she presses her body against mine. She pulls back, green eyes ticking over my face, that look letting me know she wants me just as much.

“I’ll see you tonight, Mr. Boss Man.”

“Looking forward to it, princess. Just don’t forget who’s in charge. I’ve got big plans for you, and I expect you to doeverythingI ask. And then some.”

She steps back and laughs, head tilted back a little, exposing the soft skin on her neck. “In your dreams. We both know I’ll be the one calling the shots.”

“Sure you will, princess,” I reply, crossing my arms and leaning against the truck. “But just remember who saved you from that beer tap disaster. You owe me big time.”

She flashes me a grin that could light up the darkest night. “I think you’re rewriting history. I had it under control. You were the one who got us both drenched in beer.”

“Details, details,” I say with a wave of my hand, my gaze locking on Bandit about a hundred yards away, where he’s sniffing a piece of driftwood, before flicking back to her. “There’s no doubt in my mind. You still owe me for that excellent, top-notch help, and tonight I intend to cash in.”

She raises an eyebrow, her rosebud lips pursed. “Oh really? And what do you suggest I do to repay you?”

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