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Maeve tried to subtly move her body a little further away from Ethan while he was distracted. It was clear he didn’t want to talk about his surf shop, though she wasn’t sure why. Normally, he would be willing to talk about his passion with anyone and everyone. Still...Maeve’s biggest struggle was with him sitting so close. She could smell the ocean on him and it was as enticing as it had always been, which meant her girly side was screaming at her to get over her grudge and snuggle up.
Stop it!
“I ran a business for a long time,” Maeve’s dad said in a low tone. “Maybe we can help.”
Ethan scratched under his chin, scrunching his face. “Well...” His beautiful hazel eyes darted her way before going back to her father. “I just didn’t have the best season this year...” He looked at his plate, poking at the food. “Reservations were low, cancellations were high and unless something shifts, I’m not sure I’ll have enough to reopen next summer.”
Maeve’e heart fell to her stomach. She might not want to have a relationship with Ethan, but she also didn’t want him hurt. Losing his surf shop would break him. He’d been a surfer since he was a little kid, having learned at his dad’s feet. Truthfully, she’d never quite understood why he hadn’t packed up and headed down to warmer weather so he could surf all day every day.
Her father leaned back and narrowed his eyes. “That bad, huh?”
Ethan nodded. “That bad.”
“What would it take to turn it around?”
Ethan ticked his head back and forth. “I’m not sure. A dozen custom boards? A slew of lesson reservations in the next month before I close? A really good winter in construction?”
Maeve’s mom perked up. “I forgot you did construction.” She smiled. “We were just talking about adding an addition to the house so we can have a master bedroom downstairs.”
Ethan smiled, but Maeve could tell it wasn’t his true one. “I’m just a laborer, Em. You’d have to hire a regular company.”
She waved a hand. “There’s no reason why you can’t work for us with that. We can hire individual contractors with you doing the bulk of the building.”
Ethan sighed and set down his fork. “Mama Em...you know I love you, but I’m not taking a handout. That’s not how I was raised.”
Maeve kept her mouth shut. She could totally understand where Ethan was coming from, but she also kind of wanted to shake him and tell him that saving his shop was more important than his pride.
“It’s not a handout if you’re doing the work,” her father said softly.
“Come on, Tony. You know you wouldn’t be willing to do it either.”
Maeve’s father nodded. “I understand, but I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking the opportunities handed to you.”
Ethan shook his head. “I probably just need to go over my books again. I’m sure if I budget right, I’ll get it all figured out.”
The words were said with finality, Ethan obviously believing the conversation was over, but Maeve’s mom wasn’t done.
“Maeve can help you with that!”
Maeve nearly spit out her water. As it was, she choked on the liquid and it took several seconds of coughing before she could pull in enough air to speak. “Excuse me?” she finally managed.
Ethan chuckled, looking a little too pleased with the situation for a guy who was turning down help just a moment before. “What’s the matter, Maeve? You not up to the challenge?”
She knew...she knew he was trying to prick her ego. Dang if it didn’t work. She sat up straighter. “Are you saying I can’t turn your accounts around?”
Ethan shook his head, his eyes wide. “I didn’t say that at all. If anyone knows how to push the buttons of a calculator in order to save a business, it would definitely be you.” He leaned in, that far-too-attractive smirk on his face. “After all, those numbers are your favorite armor.”
Maeve sputtered. “Excuse me?”
“You already said that, sweetie,” her mother said with a grin. She looked flat out delighted at Maeve’s discomfort. “You’d be willing to help him out, wouldn’t you? Especially after Ethan has been so helpful with your father?” Maeve’s mom rested a hand on her husband’s and gave her daughter an imploring look.
Maeve knew she looked like a fish as her jaw hung open, her head twisting back and forth between her parents. Didn’t they understand how impossible it would be for her to handle working in close proximity with Ethan? Didn’t they care at all for their daughter’s well being? Maeve knew her family loved Ethan, but they didn’t have to bring her into it. Why couldn’t she just sit on the sidelines and let them work it out themselves? A little distance was key to keeping her heart and mind intact.
“See?” her mom said, turning to Ethan. “It won’t be a big deal at all.” Maeve’s mother stood. “Are you sticking around for dessert? I’m sure we have some of Aspen’s cookies around here somewhere.”
Ethan shook his head. “Nope. I gotta get home, but thanks anyway.” He stood, patting his flat stomach, which Maeve tried not to watch.
She knew from personal experience there was a six pack under that sweatshirt. Stop it! she scolded again.
“Maeve,” her mother said, her tone brooking no chance at an argument. “Why don’t you walk Ethan out?”
Maeve stubbornly refused to move, but when her father cleared his throat and gave her the look, she sighed. “Come on, Ethan. Apparently, my parents think you might get lost somewhere between here and next door.” She ignored the delicious chuckle and the fact that she was bound for a scolding when she got back and marched toward the front door. Better to do this quickly and if she was lucky, she could disabuse him of the notion that she would be spending any time with him. He didn’t need help with his books. He needed to just accept her parents’ help and build the stupid addition. She could avoid him, he would get paid, and everyone would be happy.
*****
MAEVE’S STIFF BACK and shoulders told Ethan everything he needed to know about what their conversation would be when they got outside. She was pricklier than a rooster protecting his flock and Ethan was fighting between amusement and offense.
The night air was chilly when they stepped through the door and it felt good on Ethan’s heated skin. Turning down the Harrisons’ charity had embarrassed him, which was a feeling Ethan didn’t experience very often.
Maeve walked ahead of him a little, then spun around.
Here it comes...
“Look. If you’ll send me the link to your spreadsheets, I’ll take a look at them tomorrow,” she said in a tightly controlled voice. “I know my mom was trying to force us to spend time together, but we both know that doesn’t have to happen in order for me to settle your budget.”
Ethan had caught the not-so-subtle push, but now that Maeve was fighting it, he had a mind to fight back. Folding his arms over his chest, he tilted his head. “Actually, I don’t think that would work. It would be better if we looked over them together. That way we could discuss strategies and go over what I might have been doing wrong.”
“I can send you an email,” she said wryly.
“I prefer in-person conversations.”
Maeve let her head fall back. “Of course, you do.”
Ethan took the opportunity to step close enough to allow the pull between them to hum to life. His skin, which had been cooling, became warm again and his fingers twitched. Her skin was flawless in the moonlight and her wide eyes made him want to leap in and never leave. “Some of us like the company of others,” he whispered. There was no hiding the fact that his eyes had dropped to her lips. They drew his attention far too much to be healthy and yet not once had he had the opportunity to kiss them.
“And some of us prefer to be alone.” She said the words, but there was no heat behind them. She could feel it. He was sure of it. Why couldn’t she let go of something that happened when they were simply kids? It was eating him up inside and making both of them miserable.
“No...” Ethan slowly shook his head. “Some of us are just really good at holding onto the past.”
Maeve jerked and winced at his words.
He knew he should feel bad about them, but they were the truth and were far less harsh than what she had lobbied at him over the years.
“Some of us have good reason to.”
She was about to run. Ethan was as sure of that as he was that she would fit perfectly in his arms. He racked his brain for something...anything to keep this going. It was the most she had spoken to him in years and he had a sudden spurt of panic that if he didn’t push this chance, he’d never get another one. “How about a trade?”
Maeve frowned. “What?”
“How about we trade services?”
She put her hands on her hips. “What are you talking about?”
“Your dad,” Ethan stated, moving closer once more. “He’s not going to be able to handle those stairs much longer.”
Her lips thinned in anger. “I know that,” she said tightly. “We’re working on it.”
“Your mom said she trusted me to manage the addition.”
“Yeah, but you said you weren’t one to take charity,” Maeve shot back.
“A trade of services isn’t charity.” Ethan clenched his fist to keep from tucking a stray chunk of hair out of her face. It caressed along her cheekbone in a way that had him simmering in envy. Why can’t I be in love with someone easier than this? he asked himself for the millionth time.
“So...what?” Maeve took care of the hair herself. “You’ll take care of the addition and I’ll take care of your books? It sounds like I get the better end of the deal. It’s a much smaller job.”
Ethan shook his head and risked moving toe to toe. “No. I’ll manage the addition and you work with me personally on my finances and budgeting for the shop.” He hurried on before she could react. “I’m talking about going over the books together, and making a plan for the future. You help me save my business and I’ll help with your father.” There was absolutely no need to tell her that he’d help with Tony for free if it came down to it. He had planned to address that later with Mama Em, but Tony had said not to give up. This was Ethan fighting for what he wanted.
Maeve swallowed hard.
Ethan could practically see the wheels turning in her head. This was exactly why he couldn’t quite bring himself to give up hope for the two of them. She wasn’t nearly as cold as she wanted people to believe. He knew her well enough to know that behind her nervousness, she was just as affected as he was. Longing mixed with wariness in those caramel golden eyes and Ethan wanted nothing more than to answer the call.
“You’ll help my dad?” she whispered hoarsely.
Ethan nodded solemnly. “With everything, not just the addition.” He let a small smile pull at his lips. “I’m guessing that with Antonio still gone, you could use a set of muscles around to help on occasion.” He flexed and winked, rejoicing when her lips twitched. “I happen to be pretty good at being muscles.”
“Lots of practice, huh?” she asked sarcastically.
“Not enough to put it on my resume, but...” He smiled and leaned in ever so slightly. “Well? Do we have a deal?”
The world paused in that moment as Ethan waited for a response. He was positive that even if he tried to breathe, his lungs wouldn’t have worked. The very wind seemed to be holding its breath in anticipation of Maeve’s answer.
“Okay.”
When he got home, Ethan had every intention of doing a touchdown dance, but it would only occur behind a closed door. Instead, he allowed himself to breathe again and held out his hand. “Deal.”
When Maeve reached out to seal the agreement, Ethan jumped right in. He pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it, eliciting a gasp from his beautiful neighbor. He wouldn’t be able to waste a single moment in this situation or he’d lose her, he was sure of it.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, knowing she could hear the promise in his voice. Giving her one last wink, he walked across the lawns, whistling as he went. He had work to do and this time, it had nothing to do with saving his business. This time it was about saving his heart.