“No, nothing like that. You’ve probably never needed a high-profile lawyer to get you out of trouble.” But her words strike aplace I hadn’t considered. If I want them to respect what I do for a living, I should do the same for them. I file the thought away for the moment because her flirtatious expression is way more entertaining.
“How do you know that for sure?” She touches my lips with her index finger, playing a dangerous game.
I kiss her palm. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
She gasps when I kiss the inside of her wrist, then giggles. “No. Well, yes, actually.” She sits up, perched on the edge of the couch, and faces me. “I went to see your mother today.”
I frown as I let the words sink in and process for a moment. “Why?”
“I wanted to show your parents how important your work as a lifeguard is, so…I asked Zane for a printout of your rescues.” Her words spew out in a rapid tumble. “Your dad wasn’t there, but I think your mom was really touched?—”
My chest tightens, and I feel like I can’t breathe. I launch to my feet and walk away from her. Does she think I’m incapable of working things out with my parents? And why would she go behind my back like that?
Her touch on my shoulder spins me around. “Nick, what’s wrong?”
I run a hand over my mouth. “Why did you do that?”
She blinks. “I told you. I wanted your parents to understand?—”
“No, I mean, did you think I wasn’t capable of working this out with them? My parents already think I can’t manage my life competently on my own. And then you show up and basically prove it to them by fighting my battle.”
She shakes her head, then stares at me with eyes on the verge of tears. This is not what I planned for tonight. At all.
“I was just trying to help.” Her expression implores me to understand, but I’m struggling to believe she doesn’t think I’m just an idiot drifting through life like my parents think I am.
In an attempt to control my reaction, I take a deep breath, then release it. “I wish you’d talked to me first about it.”
“I wanted to surprise you. I thought?—”
“Thought what, Hannah?” My voice sounds harsher than I intended, but this has me reeling. I thought she believed in me. And I believed I could trust her.
Hurt flashes in eyes. “I thought this would help you, Nick. That’s all. But clearly, that’s not what you want from me, is it?”
“What does that mean?” I drop my hands to my sides.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not one of your pretty toys who’s fun to play with and doesn’t complicate your life.” She marches to the door and grabs her purse. “Enjoy your pizza.”
The door shuts before I can get there. Bandit rolls over and licks my hand. I scratch his ears, torn between staying put or going after her. I’m honestly not sure what to do here. It’s not like I’ve had a lot of experience with long-term relationships, something I thought I was capable of, but maybe I’m not.
I’m still struggling with what Hannah did. I know she meant to only help, but knowing my parents as I do, they’ll probably just see it as proof of their son’s inability to manage his life.
But the pain I saw in her eyes is what’s getting me. I may not like what she did, but that doesn’t change the fact that she only wanted to help. That’s the point I missed because I was more concerned about what my parents think than what Hannah thinks and feels about me.
I am such an idiot.
I groan. “I think I blew it, Bandit.”
He lets out a loud yip, as if to agree.
“You’re right.” I rush out the door to go after Hannah, but she’s already driving away.
I stare at her taillights as she turns onto the street.
What’s worse than an idiot?
That would be me because I may have ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
CHAPTER 30
