Page 17 of When We Are Falling

Emmy leans forward. “Do tell.”

I set down my juice. “Ethan stayed back to help me fix a broken tap. We ended up getting drenched in beer. It was a total mess.”

Emmy laughs, shaking her head. “Only you, Blake.”

“There’s more.”

She leans back in her chair. “Go on.”

A blush creeps up my cheeks. “Well, we kissed. And it wasn’t just any kiss. It was... hot. Like, really hot.”

Emmy’s eyes widen, and she looks thrilled. “It’s about time you had some fun! You deserve it.”

I shake my head, trying to temper her enthusiasm. “Fun is all well and good, but not with Ethan.”

She tilts her head, giving me a sympathetic look. “I know he’s got a reputation as a playboy, but Ethan has a good heart. Don’t write him off so quickly.”

“You’re right. He’s a good guy. We’ve been friends forever. But he’s used to women who toe the line and don’t challenge him. I’m not that kind of woman.”

“Maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Someone who challenges him. Someone real.”

“Maybe. But more to the point, there’s too much going on right now to even think about getting involved with someone. Ethan is exactly what Idon’tneed. Besides, he was the one who stopped things going too far.”

“What? Why?” Emmy leans closer.

“He didn’t say, just that he’s wanted me for longer than I know.”

“Ethan wants you bad! I knew it!”

Just then, Patrick walks into the room, toweling off his hair from the shower. He catches the tail end of our conversation and frowns.

“Hey, be careful with Ethan. He’s not exactly relationship material.”

Ugh. I did not want to be having this conversation with Patrick. I get up from my seat, a wide smile pushed in place. “Thanks for the warning, Patrick. Look guys, I better head off. Clean up duty calls.”

Patrick narrows his eyes, but thankfully doesn’t push further. I hug Emmy goodbye and give Stormy a pat. “I’ll see you later. Thanks for the juice.”

“Anytime, Blake. Just think about what I said, okay? You need a little fun in your life. And don’t listen to Patrick”—she shoots him a cheeky look—“you guys would be great together.”

Back in my car, driving toward the lighthouse, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind, resolving to keep my relationship with Ethan strictly platonic, despite Emmy’s well meant encouragement. It’s better this way, even if a part of me would love for something to happen with him again. Last night washot. But I need to stay focused. Relationship, fling… whatever. There’s no space in my life for anything else right now.

Pulling up, Ethan’s already here, along with a couple of other volunteers. His dog, Bandit, a sweet older Blue Heeler, is darting around, clearly excited to be part of the action.

The white lighthouse stands tall against the blue sky, but the pristine façade is a total contrast to the scene below. Dark, viscous oil coats the sand and rocks, while the usually pristine water is marred by oily streaks, the air carrying a heavy, acrid smell.

Seabirds, their feathers slick with oil, struggle along the shore, and the waves that lap at the beach are stained with a greasy sheen. It’s a heartbreaking sight, an awful reminder of the urgent work that lies ahead.

I step out of my car and Ethan’s gaze locks onto me. It’s intense, like he could eat me alive, like his gaze alone could set my core on fire, and he grins a roguish grin at me before turning his attention back to the others.

Heat is unfurling inside me again. Why does he have to be so damned gorgeous?

Joy Parker turns up, her sedan full of volunteers she’s car pooled with, and Tom Harrison from the bakery arrives at the same time as Carlos and his brother.

Soon we’re all here, and Ethan steps up, giving detailed instructions for the cleanup, his voice confident and authoritative. He’s wearing shorts and a T-shirt with the name of his company across the front—it stretches across the broad of his chest, revealing the hard planes of muscle beneath.

He’s so good looking, and he knows it, winking at me as he shares out the equipment, making sure everyone knows their tasks. After he’s done, he makes a point to come over.

“Hey, beautiful. Ready to get your hands dirty?”

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