Page 102 of Chicago Sin


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“Yeah, you do know. What is it?”

She sighs. “I was thinking about seeing if Mary Alice would renegotiate my payments. It seems to me like she’d rather get less than get nothing, right? Like if I go out of business, she’s either going to have to come back here and run the place herself or lose her retirement money from me.”

“That’s right. She’s as invested in your success as you are. She’s gonna want to make this work for you.”

Hannah blinks rapidly. “I really hope so.”

“Text her right now and tell her you need to talk.”

Hannah’s eyes widen. “What?”

“Get it over with. The sooner the better. Text her now.”

Hannah slowly reaches for her purse. “You sure this is a good idea?”

“Positive. Get it done.”

She glances back at me a few times as she does it, like she’s still not sure.

We just finish eating when her phone rings. She looks at it and flips big eyes at me. “It’s her.”

“Take it.”

She hesitates. “No. I’ll call her tomorrow.” She stares at the screen. “Should I?”

“Take it,” I repeat.

“Crap.” Hannah swipes across her screen and puts the phone to her ear. “Hi.” She stands from the table, plugging her other ear with her finger to hear. “Yeah.” She looks at me and points outside then picks up her purse and hustles out the front door.

Oh fuck no. I’m not letting her stand outside on the sidewalk at night by herself. Beautiful girl like her? She’s gonna get hassled.

I flag down the waitress for the check and pay it, then exit to find Hannah out front, pacing the sidewalk, her head bent like she’s listening intently.

I look around, checking for anything off. Guys loitering, cars running on the curb. I don’t like standing out here like I have a target on my forehead, but protecting Hannah is more important. A car drives by slowly, and I keep my eye on it until it turns the corner.

“Right. Yes. For sure. That would definitely help. It would help a lot. Thank you.” She looks up at me, her eyes shining with tears. “Thank you,” she chokes. “Okay. Goodnight.” She ends the call.

“She said yes?” I guess.

Hannah nods with a teary laugh. “Yes. She’s going to give me three months off to get back on my feet, and then I’ll just pay what I can from there.” She falls against me with a sob.

I slide my arms around her and burrow my fingers into her hair to massage her scalp. “That’s great.”

She pushes away from me. “Sorry.” She wipes her eyes. “This is so embarrassing.”

“No.” I catch her hand and thumb a tear away for her. “I like it when you cry.”

She scrunches up her forehead. “Um. That’s weird.” She slaps my chest. “Sick-o.”

I shrug. “I don’t feel. I mean, nothing at all. But you—your emotions are so big. I don’t know—maybe I’ll find my way back through you.”

Hannah’s expression goes soft and then passionate. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. It’s one of our crazy, frantic kisses, and my dick gets hard even though I already had her at the shop.

I loop one arm around her waist and slide my hand around to roughly squeeze her ass. “Careful,” I say thickly when she pulls back for air. “You’re gonna get yourself fucked in the back of your van.”

Her pupils are already blown, but they get even bigger, like she loves the idea. I turn her toward the van. “Not tonight.” I slap her ass. “I have plans for you that involve the bed.”

Chapter Nine