“You…” Hannah pauses, clasping her hands together and picking at the skin around her nails. “You said we could go slow.”
“I did,” I answer, standing to take her hands in mine, stopping their abuse on themselves. “But I also know what I want, Hannah. Just because you have a key to my house,doesn’t mean that you need to move in right away. But it makes sense to keep things here. Unless you want me to move into your place?” I don’t see how we would all fit in that tiny apartment, but we’d make do if it’s what she wanted.
She shakes her head abruptly. “Don’t be silly. We wouldn’t fit. And I think my landlord is catching on to the fact that Arson is there often. We technically can’t have pets.”
“Then it makes sense to move in here.”
“It does,” she mutters, trying to pull her hands free from mine. I don’t let her.
“It doesn’t have to be right away,” I reiterate, and she nods, leaning her head into my chest.
“My lease is up in two months, maybe we can talk about it again then?” she questions.
“Of course, baby. In the meantime, I’m getting you a weighted blanket to keep here. That thing is way too heavy to keep lugging around.” I kiss the top of her head, holding her for another moment. Arson squeezes his way in between our legs, desperate for her attention. He really does love her more than me.
“Hi buddy,” Hannah murmurs, pulling away from me and bending down to love on him.
“I made a roast for dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she replies, standing and following me into the kitchen where I dish us both up some roast and potatoes. We sit down at my dining room table, where she tells me about some of the calls she had today, and what her grandma has been up to this week.
Julia and Tiff are coming to town this weekend, so it will be nice to spend some time with them again. I think I’m going to invite them and her grandma to Sunday Brunchtoo. The table is getting very full, but we can always make room for family.
“How was your day?” she asks, finishing the last bite of her meal.
“Good,” I reply. “Can’t complain I suppose. I talked to Henry a bit.”
I don’t miss the tensing of Hannah’s shoulders. “You did?”
“Yep. There’s nothing to worry about,” I say quickly. “But, there is some evidence that suggests the dealers that haven’t been arrested yet are starting to plot something against the department. Nothing concrete yet, though.”
Hannah doesn’t look up as she wipes her face with her napkin. Her hands shake with the motion. “Baby, don’t worry. We’re safe. They don’t foresee it being a problem.”
“What about you?” she whimpers, finally meeting my gaze. Her blue eyes are full of watery tears. “They came after you once, what if they come after you again? What if they are successful this time? Thomas, I can’t do this without you.”
“You don’t have to. I promise I’m safe. We are safe. They are keeping a close watch on it, and they have agents working undercover to assure that.” I scoot my chair closer to her, and wrap my arm around her, holding her to me.
Her breathing is rapid and short, so I coach her through some deep breathing. Once her breaths match mine, I lean away to look into her eyes. “I am not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, and my annoying dog, too. I told you because you deserve to know.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs, wiping at her splotchy, tear stained cheeks. “As anxious as it makes me, I am thankful you told me. I appreciate it.”
“Of course. Henry made sure to let me know we aresafe. We don’t need to go back to Ron and Dottie’s, or lay low. We can live our lives.”
She nods, taking another deep breath. “Okay. I can work with that. I am going to have to get used to being scared every time I say goodbye to you, though.”
“Your job is nearly as dangerous as mine is,” I reply, pushing her hair from her face. “I worry about you too, you know. We both work in dangerous fields.”
“I suppose that’s true,” she replies. “You more than me, though.”
“Agree to disagree,” I respond. “Now, are you okay?”
“I think so,” she says, nodding her head.
“Want to watch a movie or something?”
Hannah shakes her head. “I actually had something else in mind…”
“Oh did you?” I question, with a hint of mischief in my voice, tilting my head.
