And that fast, the moment is gone. But I know she felt something because she won’t meet my gaze. “I don’t want to pull you down. I can do it.”
“Remember, I’m stronger than I look.” She positions herself in a kind of lunge and starts tugging me up.
“I didn’t forget,” I grunt as I shift my legs under me, trying to keep her from bearing my full weight. The last thing we both need right now would be for her to fall on top of me.
On second thought…
As tempting as the idea is, I replace it with an image of Graham’s face if he were to walk in on us. Talk about ending a friendship with a bang. Graham would go ballistic, and I’d be a moving target for his rage.
As she pulls, I push up.
She brushes her hands down the front of her scrubs. “I need to make those calls.”
I nod. “Sure thing. I’ll get Bandit some water.”
“Thanks. I won’t be long.”
As I fill the special bowl we bought for Bandit, I steal glances at Hannah as she makes her first call. I know she felt something at that moment. Although, in light of the incident at her office, she most likely feels vulnerable. And as much as I wanted to kiss her, I’m grudgingly glad nothing happened.
If anything were to happen between us, I want it to be under the right circumstances. Not a knee-jerk reaction that she might regret later.
And that thought makes me realize how deep my feelings have grown for her. Because I never would have considered it in the past.
CHAPTER 16
Hannah
Do I feel like an idiot? Most definitely.
Why? Because I did exactly what I swore I’d never do—fall again for a guy who has no interest in something meaningful and lasting. When I dated Bryan, he was charming, doting, and made me feel like the center of his world.
Until I found out he had several girlfriends revolving around him.
And none of us knew. Thus, why I don’t date players anymore, whether that applies to them as an athlete or a serial dater like Nick.
Once I finished my calls and showed him how to handle Bandit, I said I had some errands to run, as well as pick up the playpen from Liam. Nick insisted on going with me, but I told him Bandit shouldn’t be alone today. I didn’t give him a chance to say goodbye, so he probably thinks I went off the deep end the way I left.
Yet the concern on his face when I mentioned stopping at the pet shop did me in. Even thinking about it right now makes me second-guess my resolve to resist his charms.
Thus, why I’m pacing outside of Madi’s place, waiting for her to finish work. I need backup. Big time.
I need my best friend to affirm my decision and help keep me accountable. Because I won’t make that mistake again. Finding out Bryan wasn’t who he said he was about crushed my confidence in myself, and it took a long time to rebuild it. So you see why I’m extra cautious now.
“Hannah?” Madi’s voice spins me around.
“Madi, sorry. Hope you don’t mind me showing up.” Giving her a hug helps settle my nerves a bit.
Holding my shoulders, she leans back to study my face. “Not at all. Are you okay?”
I tug my lip between my teeth. “I’m not sure. Do you have a minute? Or several?”
She lets go of me to lift her phone and taps the screen quickly with her thumbs. “Just letting Wyatt at the front desk know I’m taking a break and will return in about an hour. How’s that?”
“Thank you.” I follow her inside her quaint apartment-like dwelling that’s attached to the backside of her inn. The smell of books fills my nose almost immediately—I think she’s added a shelf since the previous time I was here. “Am I crazy, or do you have even more books?”
She shoots me a sly glance. “Maybe…but don’t tell anyone.”
I giggle with her. “Hey, if someone has a problem with your books, they’re not worthy of you.”
