Chapter 15
Ethan
Toward the end of the day, I notice Blake struggling with an oil-soaked bird. The poor creature, a black cormorant, is flapping with the last of its strength, trying to get away, its feathers matted and heavy with oil.
“Hey, let me help you.”
Blake looks up, a stubbornness glinting in the deep green of her eyes. “I’ve got it,” she insists, her voice strained as she tries to hold the bird steady and avoid its frantic pecks.
I don’t back down, gently placing my hands over the bird’s wings. “I know you do, but it’ll be easier with two people. Come on, let’s get this little guy cleaned up.”
She hesitates for a moment. “Alright, but only because I care about the welfare of this bird.”
Her words linger in the air, and it’s pretty clear there’s more meaning behind them—she’s not just talking about the bird. She was adamant that night about wanting to handle the David situation on her own and I guess she hasn’t changed her mind.
“Got it,” I reply, keeping my tone light. “Let’s save this little guy.”
We work together, moving with a now practiced efficiency. I hold the cormorant gently but firmly, its body trembling in my hands. Blake carefully applies the soap, working it into the bird’s feathers with gentle, circular motions before allowing it to soak in the warm water.
“Hang in there, buddy,” I say to the cormorant, the spread of my hands holding its wings down. “You’re doing great.”
Blake meets my eyes, appreciation in her gaze before she looks back at the bird. “Thanks for the help. I just hate seeing them like this. It’s not fair.”
“I know.”
She rinses the soap off, and we continue working in silence, our movements synchronized. Finally, the cormorant is clean. Its feathers look much better, and it’s no longer struggling as much. I help Blake place it gently into a cage and put it in the shade with the other cleaned animals.
She looks at the birds with concern. “It’s hot for them in those cages.”
“They’ll be picked up soon by the wildlife organization. They’ll get the rest and recovery they need.” A hand on her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin through her shirt. “You did good today.”
She looks up at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Yeah, we both did. Thanks for stepping in. Sorry if I was short before. This situation—” she gestures at the oil, shaking her head.
“Don’t worry, I get it. And I’m happy to help.” My voice goes husky, memories of her taste, the smooth feel of her skin invading my thoughts. I’m getting hard already. Damnit, why does she always have this effect on me?
She’s staring at my mouth and an adorable flush of pink colors her cheeks, and I know in an instant that she’s thinking about the other night, too.
A grin aimed in her direction. “Anytime you need me, for anything at all, I’m here.”
Her gaze lifts from my mouth, eyes meeting mine, the lust leaking away, her expression steeling. “I know you’re a good guy, but I need you to understand something. I can handle my own problems, especially with David. The only reason I accepted your help today is because I care about these animals. It doesn’t mean I need you to swoop in and save me every time you think I’m in trouble.”
Her words sting, but I take it in stride. It’s the closest we’ve gotten to talking about anything important since that night. “I get it. I really do. But just know that I’m here whenever you need me. Has David been back to see you? Has he called?”
“No, I haven’t heard from him.”
Relief floods me. Hopefully he stays gone. “I hope he’s okay.”
“Yeah, me too.”
We stand there for a moment, the sounds of the other volunteers further down the beach and the distant cries of seabirds being washed filling the air. The wind carries the scent of oil, a stark reminder of the work still ahead.
Blake breaks the silence first, glancing at the horizon. “The Tavern is open this afternoon. I’ve got to go soon.”
“Is that an invitation?” I raise an eyebrow with a playful grin, unable to resist.
She laughs and smacks me gently in the chest. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“Actually, Liam was the one who invited me.” A nonchalant shrug. “We’ve got to talk shop.”
“Alright then. Well, I guess I’ll see you tonight.”
“And don’t forget we’re meeting at the marina tomorrow morning.”
“How could I forget?” She responds with a dazzling smile. “You’ve only reminded us all thirty-seven times.”
I watch as she sashays away down the beach, her movements graceful and confident. She glances over her shoulder, giving me a long look that makes my heart stutter, before veering off toward the parking lot.
As she disappears from view and I whistle for Bandit, there’s a hint of anticipation in the air. Tonight at the bar, tomorrow at the marina—every moment with Blake feels charged with possibility.
Bandit comes running, his tail wagging furiously. I bend down to pat him, ruffling his fur. “Good boy. Time to go, little buddy.”
Pulling out my cell, I dial Liam’s number. “Hey, man,” I say when he picks up. “You up for a drink at the Tavern?”
Liam’s response is immediate. “Absolutely. I could use a cold one. It’ll have to be quick, though.”
“Great, I’ll see you there.” She need never know I made the arrangement after the fact. Ending the call and quickly packing up the last of the gear, I wait for the wildlife truck to arrive, watching as the volunteers load the cleaned animals carefully into the back. Once they’re on their way, I head for the pickup, Bandit trotting faithfully beside me.
At home, a quick shower, the hot water washing away the dirt and sweat of the day. Bandit watches me get dressed from the doorway, his eyes following my every move. “Sorry, buddy. You’re staying here tonight.”
I lock up and head out, the humid evening air a little cooler against my damp skin. The drive to the Tavern is quick, the town quiet, most of the cafes already closed for the day. The bar itself is unusually quiet too, with more than half the tables empty and no one on the dance floor.
Carlos is leaning on the bar, chatting animatedly with Blake. She laughs at something he says, the sound warming the space. I take a moment to soak it in, my gaze lingering on her longer than necessary. Her smile, the way she moves, everything about her draws me in. I approach the bar, nodding at Carlos. There’s only one woman in front of me, who’s in the process of ordering.
Then it’s my turn: “Evening, you two.” My eyes meet Blake’s briefly, an instant jolt shooting straight through the swell of my heart. “Is Liam here?”
“Not yet.”
“Two beers, please. On my tab.”
Blake’s hands deftly work the taps. “Coming right up.”
I take the drinks. “I’ll be on the roof terrace,” I say, gesturing upstairs. “Can you let him know?”
She holds my gaze a fraction longer. Heat surges between us as it so often does, and I know I’m not imagining it. “Enjoy.”
I head up the stairs, the sound of the tavern fading as I reach the rooftop. The terrace is almost empty, the lighthouse light slowly flashing in the dusk light, visible in the distance. Moments later, Liam joins me.
“Quiet night,” he remarks, taking a seat across from me.
“Yeah,” I reply, handing him his drink. “Looks like we’re not the only ones struggling at the moment. Good thing we had a bumper last season. ”
We clink our glasses together, the sound a soft chime in the night. As we sip our beers, I can’t help but glance back toward the stairs, where Blake is working the bar. Liam sees me and smirks.
“How is Operation Blake going?” He takes a sip of his beer.
“There have been some interesting developments. But I’m not one to kiss and tell.” I lean back in my chair with a grin.
Liam lets out a cat call and drums his hands on the table, making a scene until I tell him to knock it off. “Alright, alright, calm down. How’s your team going with the oil spill cleanup?”
The humor fades quickly. “Yeah, it’s been a hell of a job. The mayor’s latest announcement wasn’t exactly encouraging either.”
I think back to the email update she sent out this morning. “She said they’re doing everything they can, but the damage is extensive. It’s going to take a lot more time and resources than we initially thought.”
Liam sighs, taking another sip of his beer. “I know. We’ve got to keep the volunteers motivated, though. If we lose them, this whole operation could fall apart. Almost everyone in town is losing money every day. We don’t want to prolong this.”
“Patrick won’t let that happen,” I say firmly. “We’ll keep pushing, keep organizing. We’re making progress, even if it’s slow.”
We chat about our plans to get some skydives booked in for next week, then Liam checks his watch and groans. “I’ve got to head home. Mom wants to have a family dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, I’m heading home soon, too,” I lie, knowing full well I’m staying here. “See you soon, man.”
Liam drains the last of his beer and claps me on the shoulder before heading down the stairs. I finish my beer slowly, savoring the quiet moment. Eventually, I head down with the two empty glasses to find only a couple in the corner finishing their drinks. The place is almost empty, and Blake is cleaning behind the bar.
I lean against the bar, watching her work. “Sent everyone home?” I ask, breaking the silence.
She looks up, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Yeah, can’t afford to pay staff when there are no customers.”
The couple comes over to pay their bill, and soon it’s just Blake and me. She turns to me, raising an eyebrow. “So, how did your business meeting go?”
For a moment, I draw a blank, then remember the excuse I gave her earlier. “Oh, right. It was... productive,” I say, somewhat unconvincingly.
She smirks, pouring us both a drink, before coming around to sit beside me. “Smooth. Real smooth.”
We sit side by side at the bar, the warmth of her leg pressing into mine. The room feels smaller, the air thicker. We’ve both been acting like that night at my house didn’t happen, but enough is enough. I take a sip of my drink before turning to face her.
She raises one eyebrow. “You look serious. Everything okay?”
A swallow. There’s no time like the present, right? Straight, direct and to the point. “Look, I think we need to talk. I know you don’t want a relationship, but I really like you. I’d love to see how things might go between us.”
She stares at me. “It’s not that I’m not attracted to you. Trust me, I’m super attracted to you. It’s just... I’ve got so much going on right now.”
I lean in a little closer. “I get it. Life is messy. Especially with the oil spill. But life is also short. We should see where this goes.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“That’s because it can be. We’ll take it one day at a time. No pressure, no expectations. No labels. Just... us.”
Blake shakes her head, smiling. “You’re pretty convincing, you know that?”
“Let’s add that to my list of talents. Come on. Let’s just enjoy getting to know each other better. No closing off opportunities.”
I take another sip of my drink then reach out, taking her hand in mine, the simple touch electrifying. To my surprise, she doesn’t pull away.
Instead, her fingers tighten around mine. A glance at me before her gaze ticks away. “I don’t know what this is between us, but it’s nice having you around. And if I’m honest, it’s been pretty hot between us, too.”
“We don’t need to call it a relationship or anything else,” I reply. “We’re just two old friends enjoying one another’s company. Seeing where things go.”
A playful smirk tugs at her lips. “I’m not sure old friends give one another Earth shattering orgasms.”
We both laugh.
“Seriously though, thank you for being there for me. This is a stressful time for all of us. You’re a good friend. But please respect my boundaries.”
“I love boundaries.”
“I’m serious. I’m not looking for a knight in shining armor, and I’m definitely not looking for a relationship.”
“I understand. Let’s just see where it goes, yeah?”
“I’d like that. I haven’t had someone just to hang out with like this since Danny.”
Blake’s mention of Danny slips into the conversation like a ghost. Grief tightens its grip around my heart, a sudden, profound ache for my old friend.
I tighten my hold on Blake’s hand, and for a moment, my emotions collide in a painful, bittersweet embrace. Danny’s memory lingers between us, and I force a breath through the ache in my chest.