Page 42 of When We Are Falling

We reach her car, and she unlocks it. “Are you ever going to get tired of calling me that?”

“Probably not,” she says, opening the rear passenger door for Bandit and putting the window down. “It suits you.”

I slide into the front passenger seat, Bandit jumping in the back. She grins as she settles in the driver’s seat, starting the engine.

Blake drives us out of town and I turn to look at her, taking in the details of her perfect face. Her profile is striking as ever, with high cheekbones and a dusting of freckles across her nose, her green eyes focused on the road ahead.

As we head out onto the open road, her red hair catches the late afternoon sunlight, creating a halo of fiery brilliance. There’s literally nothing about her I’d change. She’s beautiful, strong, and effortlessly captivating. The uncertainty of not knowing where we’re headed makes me uncomfortable, but being out ofmy comfort zone with Blake by my side feels wild in the best possible way.

“So, why exactly are we heading out on this top secret excursion?”

“You need to let off some steam,” she replies. “I know how hard you’ve been working and the oil clean up is stressing you out. The Tavern is closed today. It’s the perfect day for an adventure.”

I look at her for a long time, something loosening in my chest. I can’t remember the last time someone told me to take a day off, that I looked stressed and needed to relax. Maybe it’s because I’ve always tried to project this image of control and unshakeable confidence. I’ve prided myself on being the guy who never wavers no matter how rough things get.

But Blake sees through all that. She sees the tension I carry, how hard I work sometimes to stop things spinning out of control, and she’s offering me an out, a chance to just... breathe.

It’s like she’s holding up a mirror, showing me the parts of myself I’ve ignored for too long. And the way she’s looking at me, I realize just how much I need this. Need her.

Not just the adventure she’s promising, but the break, the permission to let go and enjoy the moment without feeling like my life is about to unravel. The edges of my stress start to soften, the rigid need to control loosening its grip.

We soon hit the road that runs along the Pine Barrens, the dense forest spreading out to our left, oil-slicked beaches to our right.

“How was your day, really? Did you make anyone else’s life difficult, or is that a special service just for me?”

She glances at me, the corner of her lips twitching. “Just you. I like to save my best efforts for the people I care about.”

I pretend to be offended. “Oh, so I’m a special case, huh?”

“Absolutely. You should feel honored.”

“I do,” I say sincerely, reaching over to rest my hand on the bare skin of her thigh. “I really do.”

“Good. Now sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ve got an adventure ahead of us.”

I glance at Bandit, who’s got his head out the window, then lean back in my seat, watching the scenery pass by, feeling more content than I have in a long time.

Blake takes us on a winding drive along the scenic coast, away from the oil spill, the ocean glittering under the afternoon sun. The salty breeze whips through the open windows, tangling her hair and filling the car with the scent of the sea.

“Look at that beach,” she says, after we’ve driven for about an hour, pointing to a hidden cove down below. “Ever been there?”

I shake my head. “Nope, but I’m game if you are.”

We drive down a winding road, the beach no longer in view, then pull over and scramble down the rocky path, our laughter mingling with the sound of crashing waves. The secluded beach is a perfect slice of paradise, with soft white sand and turquoise water. We kick off our shoes and race to the shoreline, the cool water lapping at our ankles.

Blake nudges me with her shoulder. “Admit it, you’re having fun.”

“Maybe a little.” I splash her playfully. “But I’ll only admit it because you’re so adorable and I’m hoping I get lucky tonight.”

“I can say with absolute certainty that youwillbe getting lucky tonight.”

We spend the afternoon exploring hidden beaches that haven’t been touched by the oil spill, and checking out quirky attractions, stopping at a roadside shack for fish tacos and cold beers. Blake slips her hand into mine, and it feels natural, right.

As the sun begins to set, we pull up in front of a cute bed-and-breakfast, its weathered sign swinging gently in the breeze. Theplace is charming, with wooden window shutters and a garden bursting with colorful flowers.

Inside, we’re greeted by a grumpy old lady with a stern expression. Her gray hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and she peers at us over her glasses, clearly unimpressed by our presence.

“Good evening,” Blake says cheerfully. “Are you pet friendly?”

---