“I would love for that to be the case, but I’m like a hundred percent sure he is coming to town.”
“Girl, I know this is some serious shit right now, but you said he’s coming to town, and now I haveSanta Claus is Coming to Townplaying in my head.”
A quiet chuckle escaped Hannah’s throat. “Even when I’m scared and sad, you know how to make me laugh.”
“That’s why we are best friends. When shit is bad, we still have our black humor to cling to. So, what can we do about The Asshole, who may or may not be coming to town?”
“Honestly, a small part of me is like, do I need to go get a gun?”
Brandee froze. “Oh my God, Hannah.”
Hannah waved her off, “I’m not going to do that, and you know why?”
Brandee shook her head.
“Because I’m too afraid that if he showed up somehow, he’d get a hold of the gun.”
“You need to come live with me.” Brandee stood up suddenly and pulled on Hannah’s arm.
Hannah remained unmoved on the couch. “It’s super sweet of you to offer, but I will not let him change my life—especially when I don’t even know for sure if he is really planning to come to Marley Creek.”
“What are you going to do if you come home one night and he’s at your door?”
“Then I’ll come to you. And I have mace—and Smoky.”
Brandee sat back down and rubbed her knuckles against Smoky’s head. He was nestled inside Hannah’s crossed legs.
“Have I told you how strong you are?”
“Probably, but tell me some more.”
“I’m so lucky to have you as a best friend.”
“Right back at you. Thanks again for the food. My pot roast was a bust.”
“Did you use a recipe?”
Hannah had stopped clenching her teeth. Talking with Brandee, along with the food and her calming tea, had done wonders for her, and hopefully she would be able to take this strength with her tomorrow and through the weekend when she worked at the Mistletoe Market. She was able to joke and even laugh as she told Brandee about her pot roast fail. Who knew you had to cook the heck out of it before it was tender? Not her.
“To be honest, I’ve been in a mood since yesterday when it was clear Kate wasn’t going to invite me to come with to her family’s place for Thanksgiving. And then today, well, it was one bad thing after another.”
“I wonder why Kate didn’t invite you. Do you think you two are on the same page about your relationship status? Ugh, that sounds so lame, ‘relationship status,’ but you know what I mean.”
Hannah gathered her hair and moved it to the side. Then she ran her hand through it. “It’s pretty clear we aren’t, but I don’t think we’ve been on the same page since the first time we hooked up. I just… She’s so fucking amazing. Gorgeous, super-extroverted in the best way, funny, cute, freaking hot.”
“You’re crazy about her.”
A flush of heat rose on Hannah’s chest, and it climbed up her neck and onto her cheeks. All she could do was nod.
“Oh, Han,” Brandee said as she wrapped her arms around her friend.
Big, fat tears threatened to fall. “And on top of that, I’m PMSing.”
“You poor baby, I should have brought the leftover chocolate silk pie that Luc’s mom made.”
Hannah sniffed, “It’s not too late to run home and bring me back some.” Laughter bubbled out of Brandee, and Hannah was grateful to stay in her warm embrace a moment longer.
“Maybe she just needs a little more time. Or maybe a serious relationship looks different for her?”
