She holds it out to me. “Mom wanted you to have some leftovers for tomorrow.”
Tomorrow and the next day, more likely. I have a healthy appetite, but not like the McCarthy men. “Tell her I said thank you.”
“I will.” She blinks but doesn’t move, and the silence feels slightly awkward.
I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Did you reach out to your friend at Animal Services yet?”
She nods. “Yeah, he said he’d look into it. May take some time, though. They’re still playing catch-up from the hurricane last year.”
“Sorry to hear that.” I pause, searching for my next words to make this moment linger. Not the smartest idea, but my will power seems to lose its strength when Hannah’s around. “I’m guessing you’ll be checking on this poor guy every day?”
Her lips move into this cute pucker that makes the top of her nose crinkle. “Kinda have to, you know?”
I nod, but based on what she told me about the owner, I can’t help but express my concern. “Be careful, okay?”
Her smile slips down to a straight line. “I can take care of myself, Nick. Trust me, I’ve dealt with worse.”
“I’m sure you have, but this guy sounds like a loose cannon. Just be on guard.”
She smirks. “What, you think I’m going to rush in like Goldilocks without checking for bears?”
I chuckle at the analogy. Goldilocks has nothing on Hannah. “Not at all. You’re passionate about animals. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Her voice turns soft as she blinks. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
I swallow down my nerves, finding the right words. “I can go with you. If you think you might need help.”
She pulls her lips in between her teeth, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s trying not to laugh. “You mean, so you can protect me?”
Heat rides up the back of my neck like the snap of a match. Is she teasing me?
I don’t have time to reply because Graham is barreling out the door and heading our way with a grimace on his face that tells me he’s on a mission. I shift my line of sight over her shoulder. “Hey, Aquaman.”
It’s like watching a turtle retreat the way Hannah pulls back her flirtatious expression into the professional one I recognize from therapy.
Graham stops next to her. “Hannah, Mom’s looking for you.”
She nods. “Night, Nick. See you tomorrow.”
“Good night.” I force myself to stare at the container I’m holding instead of watching Hannah go inside. That would just invite the wrath of Graham on a larger scale. The anticipation of what he’s about to unleash on me is enough to make the delicious dinner I consumed turn sour in my gut.
Graham shifts from watching Hannah to face me. “Something going on between you two?”
I meet Graham’s penetrating stare. “Nope. I was just asking her about that dog she’s trying to rescue. She seemed pretty upset about it yesterday.”
Graham’s brows slide down for a moment, as if he’s struggling to decide if he believes me. Which he should because there isnothinggoing on between Hannah and me.
Nothing. At. All.
My best friend’s signature grin slides into place, along with a very pointed look. “She’s always rescuing strays.”
Is he implying I’m a stray? There was a time that was true, and Graham played a big part in helping me find my way. But I’m not that stray anymore. I wish he could see that.
I swallow down the lump in my throat. “That’s your sister.”
Graham pats me on the back and snorts. “That’s right. And don’t you forget it.”
CHAPTER 8
