Page 21 of Falling for You

“I was eavesdropping the entire time you and Liv were talking.”

And that’s all he says before he continues working, no pushing or prodding for more information while I bark out a laugh. He’s unapologetic about his snooping and if it were almost anyone else, it would bother me. We’ve worked behind the bar together more days than not, so it’s second nature to both of us. Making quick work of making sure everything is stocked and glasses are cleaned, we serve the customers that are making their way in for Happy Hour.

“I thought you were helping your dad with his bathroom remodel today?” I ask him during a short lull in customers.

“He wasn’t feeling up to it. Tweaked his back a few days ago so he’s laid up at the moment.” I look at him closely but he doesn’t seem overly concerned by his dad’s back injury.

“He need anything?”

“Nah. Got him to the doctor and on a muscle relaxer, actually. He’s in good health and great shape so I’m not worried. He’ll rebound. Just needs a few days to relax.”

“Bet he loves that.”

“Yeah. He’s annoyed. Did I tell you he went and saw my sister, or whatever she is?”

I fill an order for two half-priced pints for a couple guys who tend to come in fairly regularly and exchange the money quickly. “No. I hadn’t heard that. What made him decide that? I thought she said she didn’t want anything to do with you guys?”

“Yeah. I guess he decided he wasn’t going to settle for that.”

“How’d it go?”

He snorts. “It didn’t. She seemed about as receptive as she was the night he met her, according to him, anyway.”

I make a noise in the back of my throat and shake my head. “That’s too bad, man.”

“He’s not going to give up.”

“No?”

“Nope. He’s a stubborn ass and thinks she needs us.”

“And you?”

“She said she doesn’t want or need us — who am I to stand there and beg?”

I think about that for a bit. Ethan was raised by a single father after his mom abandoned him. About a year ago, he discovered that his mom died but had a daughter. A daughter who didn’t want anything to do with him. I don’t know much more of the story, but I do know that it screwed him up for a little while.

“That’s rough.”

“It is what it is. Not worth crying over. I don’t know why Dad cares so much, to be honest.”

I want to say probably because he’s a good guy and maybe feels some sort of responsibility because this woman shares the same blood as his son but figure it’s nothing he doesn’t already know. Instead, for once I decide to let it go. He’s a big boy and can deal with his own life.

Not long after Happy Hour ends, Ethan and Olivia head out and I can breathe a little easier.

I love them like they’re my own family, but sometimes being around them is a lot to take in. He’s been telling me for years that one day someone’s going to come into my life and knock me on my ass, along with my stance on relationships. The fact that I can’t get Chloe out of my head is something that’s incredibly annoying because it means he’s right, and I doubt he’ll let me hear the end of it.

Luckily, I don’t have to stew on it long before the Friday night crowd picks up and I’m busy right up until closing time. By the time I leave The Flying Goat and head for home, I’m wiped out. After a quick shower, I fall face first into bed and dream of auburn hair and deep chocolate eyes that are full of sadness and a shimmering smile that knocks the wind out of me.

And when I wake in the morning I know only one way to make it stop.

* * *

“Thankyou for calling New You Salon, this is Jana, how can I help you?”

I can’t believe I’m about to say this but, “Yeah, I was wondering if I could schedule an appointment for a haircut with Chloe? The sooner the better.”

“Sure, let me just pull up her schedule. Is there a time and date that works best for you?”

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