“What happens next with us?”
Sighing, I reply, “As far as being engaged? I’m not sure. But I know that I’m not done withus. Admittedly, I’m not sure I ever will be.”
“Really?” Hannah questions.
“Really. I know it’s probably way too soon to talk about things like our future, but Hannah, please know that I want it. Like I said that night in the bed of the truck. I want it all with you. I wasn’t lying. I will say it however many times I need to in order to reassure you, and I will never get sick of it.”
“I had an appointment with my therapist today, and we talked a lot about the future,” she says quietly, turning her face into my chest. If what she needs is to not see me while we talk, that’s fine. “It was hard, and I’m exhausted, but it helped a lot.”
“I’m glad,” I say. I won’t pry into her business, but I would love to know more.
“Everything started so fast with us. Obviously, it’s not a normal start to a relationship, but now that we are home, can we do things normally?” she asks hesitantly.
“Absolutely. We can start fresh. I can take you out for an official second date. We can slow things down if that’s what you need, freckles.”
She nods into my chest, and relief settles through mybody. Do I want to slow down? No, not really, but if it’s what she needs, then I will do whatever it takes to keep her.
“My family wants to meet you,” she says. “Like, officially. Obviously, you know Julia, and you met Tiff, but my grandma wants to meet you, as my boyfriend.” She starts to stutter. “I–If that’s what you are.”
“I’m your boyfriend, freckles. Don’t even doubt that for a second. I would love to meet your family. Would you be willing to meet mine too? Officially? I know Gramps is dying to see you again.”
She takes a deep breath. “I would like that. I can’t promise that I won’t be quiet or anxious that day, but I want to meet them. Officially.”
“I’ll be by your side the whole time. And if it’s too much, we can leave. I never want to make you uncomfortable, Hannah.”
“What do we do about the whole engagement thing, though?” she questions.
I shrug. “I’m not positive. I think on the outside we may have to continue to play the engaged part, at least until things are through with the investigation. Are you okay with that?”
“I think so.”
“That’s the only part about us that isn’t real, freckles. Everything else is real. You’re mine, and I am yours. When I propose to you for real, it will be for us, no one else.”
Hannah smiles and nods up at me, and everything feels right again. “Now, with this whole ‘slow’ thing. Does that mean we can’t spend the nights together?” I ask with a laugh, though I’m completely serious. Last night was horrible. I slept like shit.
“I mean, we both work weird hours, Thomas. We aren’tgoing to be able to sleep in the same bed every night,” Hannah replies, attempting to be logical.
“Fair, but when we can, I want you in my arms. Last night was the worst night of sleep I’ve had in months, and it’s because you weren’t there.”
“You’re sure it’s not because you were stressed or something?”
“Nope,” I reply, popping the p. “It’s because I wasn’t with you. Even Arson was stressed.”
“He was?” she says, her voice upset.
“So you get upset over Arson being stressed, but not me? I see how it is,” I tease, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze.
Hannah laughs, and the sound fills my soul with so much joy. “He’s my favorite,” she replies.
“I am hurt,” I gasp, clutching my heart. “You stuck a dagger through me, baby. I won’t make it.” I dramatically flop backwards, groaning.
“Stop it,” Hannah giggles, swatting at my chest. “Fine. I slept horrible without you, too.”
I sit up straight. “You did?”
She nods, sobering. “I had to take a hydroxyzine, and it barely helped. It didn’t feel right, not having you and Arson with me.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
