That’s when it clicks why Harry’s even out here instead of drinking his coffee inside.He’s keeping an eye on Rick, making sure he doesn’t screw up Chloe’s pergola.
For a second, the knot in my chest loosens.Someone who knows about this stuff will be looking out for Chloe after I go.
But then the knot twists again, tighter than before.I love that she’ll be happy, don’t get me wrong.It just kind of stings that I won’t be here to see it.
“Exactly right.It’smydaughter’s place.”Rick smacks his fist onto his chest, snapping back my focus.“No one’s gonna tell me how to build her damn pergola.Fucking hell, I need a smoke.”
He stomps off through the gate.
“Time for me to clock off,” Harry says, holding his mug up to Chloe in thanks.“My show’s starting soon.Although, this one wasn’t bad.”
Chloe gives him a sweet look.“Just leave the mug here, Harry, it’s all good.”
I would’ve thought she’d chase after her dad after I bruised his ego, but instead, she comes up to me.
“You didn’t have to say anything to him,” she murmurs, obviously about Rick.She doesn’t look mad, though.Her eyes are all lit up.
“Yes,” I say gently.“I did.”
And so do you, Chloe.
She searches my face, her gaze clinging there, then threads her fingers through mine and squeezes.“Foreman Ethan is sexy.”
I reach out to hook a finger into her waistband, tugging her against me.“You liked that, did you?Me shouting orders.”
“You have no idea,” she says, then presses her lips to mine.Every cell in my body floods with heat as our tongues lightly brush, my hands cradling her face.By the time she pulls away, I’m dizzy.
“You hungry?”she asks.
“Not really.”
Her brows lift, probably because that’s not the answer I’d normally give.The weird ending to my conversation with Leo has left a pile of rocks in my stomach.
Chloe tilts her head.“Everything okay?”
Heat climbs across my cheeks.“Honestly?”I run a hand up the back of my neck.“I don’t know.”
Her brow furrows slightly, and she guides me to sit beside her at one of the new picnic tables.She blinks at me, waiting.
“Remember how I told you about my friend Leo?”I begin, staring down at the freshly-painted wood.
“Yes.”
I swallow tightly.“We spoke today on the phone, and he told me about this job he was going for, but didn’t get.He’s been out of work for nine months and can’t seem to get hired, and…” I suck in a deep breath.“I just feel really fucking shitty about it all.I told you about what happened when he got hurt.And no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to talk to him.”My shoulders rise and fall.“Every time he wants to chat, I hang up quick.I just… I clam up.I don’t know what to say.”
Chloe flattens her hand over mine.“What would you say to someone else who had trouble getting a job?If it was one of your brothers, or a different friend?”
I think about it.“I don’t know… I guess I’d tell them not to give up.That it’s hard out there right now, but they'll find something eventually if they keep looking.”
“So why don’t you just say that to Leo?”She gives me a hopeful smile, but I can’t seem to return it.
“Ethan,” she goes on with a deep breath, “I don’t know what it’s like to be in this situation.But I do know what it’s like when something bad happens to you and people start treating you differently.When people around here found out I had cancer, a lot of them started tiptoeing around me.Some avoided me altogether.When all I wanted was to be treated normally.”
My eyes meet hers.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t pay attention to what Leo needs,” she adds.“Of course that matters.But don’t change your friendship just because things aren’t exactly the same as they used to be, or because you feel guilty about it all.Your guilt isn’t his problem.He’s already had enough to deal with.And I’m pretty sure the last thing he would want is to lose you.”
Her face blurs a little, and I turn away, but she gently steers my gaze back to hers.“Sorry,” she says softly.“I didn’t mean to make you more upset.”
