Page 91 of Falling for You

“What do you mean?”

“He’s truly a kind person. It didn’t faze him to help us, or not tell anyone. He doesn’t do the things he does for the glory or to be praised by anyone else. He’s just a good guy. Plain and simple.”

I take a deep breath, lick my lips and rub them together, looking around the back patio of The Flying Goat. My mom was the same. We didn’t have much growing up, but that didn’t stop her from always giving back where she could. I will never forget the first day she bought groceries for the food bank we’d gone to so many times. She was so proud and happy.

“It’s our turn to bless someone else, Chloe girl.”

Every time we’d get groceries from the food bank, she reminded me that we needed to be thankful for others’ generosity.

“What did you mean when you said the donations for the home you’re building?” I ask, still not looking at her. Tonight has drained me

“My husband Austin and I are remodeling a home that will be available for people like us. Who just need someone in their corner to get through their rough time so they can move forward. We had nothing when we came here, when Ethan came into our lives, but we were determined to change that. Ethan gave us what we needed to find our footing again.”

“So it’s a pay it forward kind of thing?”

“That’s a good way to look at it, but it’s also what’s in our hearts. And that came because of what we learned from Ethan.”

“You’re telling me this so I understand that he’s a good man?” I guess.

“Yes,” she grins, shameless. “I know what happened when your mother passed away, and I understand your hesitation in meeting him. You and your mother were close, right?”

“Very. It was always just us.”

“Thought so.”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“I have no advice for that.” I like her honesty. She’s not hiding anything from me, and I can see the love and admiration she has for Ethan just by the way she speaks of him. “I just want you to know a little about Ethan that he’d never tell you himself. He’s a good man, Chloe. I saw the look on both your faces when you walked in here tonight. I’m sure it’s awkward and scary, but don’t let any of that get in the way of you taking a chance to get to know him.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chloe

“Wantto meet for some coffee before your next client comes? You said you had an hour, right?”

“Oh man, yes. That sounds amazing.”

“Perfect. Dreamin’ Beans, okay? It’s that place right next to Balance where I took you the first night. They have really good cinnamon rolls, too.”

I moan, mouth watering just at the thought of a warm, gooey roll. I’m so hungry today. I missed breakfast because I overslept — well, overslept is a bit of a stretch. I was wide awake, but was busy wrapped up in Rex’s arms and by the time we crawled out of bed, completely satisfied, I only had twenty minutes to get ready and get to New You to be there in time for my first client to show up.

“That sounds amazing,” I repeat, apparently my vocabulary is shit when I’m hungry. “I’ll be there in five.”

“Amazing,” he teases, then hangs up chuckling.

New You is a short drive away from Dreamin’ Beans so I’m there quickly, parking Rex’s sexy beast of a car just a few spots away from the front door.

I’m looking down into my crossbody purse when I walk and don’t notice the man standing at the entrance, looking down at his phone until I’m right in front of him.

I startle and his eyes narrow.

Eyes that match mine so perfectly, it’s like looking into a mirror.

“Rex?”

“Chloe?”

“Damn them,” Ethan growls.

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