“I’m not,” I reply, not missing a beat.“Just learned that three’s the magic number for trouble around here.”
Hannah has constantlybeen on my mind, but I’ve kept away even though all my instincts want me to go to her.Even now, as I pull up to the intersection, if I turn left, it will take me to her house, but if I go right, I’ll go home.Of course, I turn left and find myself parked in front of Hannah’s home.
The front door opens, and Grace streaks out and makes a beeline for me.She jumps up onto the bike and rubs her face on my chest, purring madly.
“Grace!”
“I’ve got her.”
Hannah runs out, hair up in a messy bun and green stuff on her face.She holds out her arms, and I hand over the gray fluff ball.
“Thanks,” she says, her voice softer, as she cradles the cat.
For a moment, we just stand there, and the silence feels comfortable.Too comfortable.
Clearing my throat, I point at her face and ask, “Is that edible?”
“Oh my God!”Hannah’s eyes go wide with shock as she bolts back inside, clutching her cat to her chest.
I can’t help but laugh as I follow her in, leaning against the doorway of the living room.“You look fine,” I shout, trying to reassure her.
“I do not!”she yells from the other room, and I can hear the embarrassment in her voice.
I chuckle and shut the front door behind me, walking toward the kitchen.“Do you want a tea?”
Hannah’s voice is tinged with disbelief.“You’re going to make me a tea in my own house?”
I raise an eyebrow and glance at the closed bathroom door.“If that’s okay.”
She pauses for a moment before replying, “Yes.I’ll only be a minute.”
On her coffee table in front of the couch is my knife and a block of wood.Hannah is obviously carving it into something, but the shape isn’t clear.There’s also a smaller knife, and it appears as though she’s using it for her whittling—mine is too big for her.I move into the kitchen, already looking around for the kettle, when Grace trots into the room, weaving between my legs as if she owns the place.
“Weird cat,” I mutter, half-amused, as I step carefully to avoid tripping over her.Grace jumps up onto the kitchen counter as I’m filling the kettle with water.“Are you allowed on there?”I ask, eyeing the little troublemaker.
“No, she’s not.”Hannah’s voice is firm as she picks up Grace and places her on the floor.“And she knows she’s not.Don’t you, Grace?”
The cat meows, almost as if she’s protesting, but she doesn’t make a fuss.I watch as Hannah straightens up, her face pink, and I notice she’s brushed her hair.It’s now tied in a ponytail at the nape of her neck, a little more put together than when I first saw her.
I glance at the rows of tea lined up.“What sort of tea do you want?”There are so many to choose from I feel as though I’m making a life-altering decision here.
Hannah waves her hand, her voice soft but insistent.“Let me, you’re my guest.”
I raise an eyebrow and smile.“I guess I should’ve called first?”
“Well, I wouldn’t have looked so...”Hannah pauses, her face turning an even deeper shade of pink.“Frightening,” she finishes, giving me an awkward smile.
I chuckle, leaning against the counter.“Beautiful?”
She gives me a small, almost shy smile.“Not the word I was going for.More like...disheveled?Or homey?Or night of the living dead?”
I laugh, shaking my head.“I think I got it right.”
Hannah gives me a mock glare, but her smile tugs at her lips.“Go sit.Do you want to try a tea, or should I just make you a coffee?”
“Coffee.”
Moving toward the living room, my boots make too much noise on the floor as I try to shake off the unease building up.I settle down on the couch, leaning back a little too stiffly as if I’m trying to avoid sinking too deeply into her space.It’s too cozy.Too personal.
