“She came into our lives by chance,” I say firmly. “Not necessarily for any particular purpose.”
“Chance means good fortune,” Hannah says. “And now that you say it, we were talking to your friend, Chance, when I spotted this kitty.” She breaks into a smile. “Let’s name her something that matches. Like Lucky.”
“Chance wanted us to name the kitten Chance,” I mutter. “Lucky is much better.”
Hannah laughs heartily. “So it’s settled then.”
And that’s how Lucky became the second surprise companion on my road trip that was supposed to be me and only me.
And while I pretend to be disgruntled, when I look over at Hannah cuddling with Lucky in the passenger seat, I can’t stop from grinning.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Okay, we’re all set.” I step back from the tent.
We’ve got Lucky’s litter box ready for her in the back of the truck, which is parked as close to our tent as possible for any quick bathroom trip in the middle of the night. Lucky’s safely in her carrier next to Hannah, who’s minding the fire as our dinner cooks.
We picked up potatoes and burger patties at the store on the way into the campground, and after we got the food going on the grill, I set up the tent.
“Lucky’s got a good appetite.” Hannah shows me the bowl the kitten has already licked clean. “Like the vet said, she seems really healthy.”
“She’s lucky,” I say without meaning to throw a pun on the word.
Hannah breaks into a smile. “She is, right?”
I grin at her. “I must like picking up stowaways.”
She smiles wider. “It’s good for your soul, Mav. Traveling all alone would have been boring.”
I want to disagree with her, but as I watch her dish out our dinner and hand me a paper plate, I know she’s right. Spending this trip with a woman who does it for me in every way I can conceive of—it’s been far more enjoyable than if I’d made the trip by myself.
The three of us eat together as darkness falls. We put Lucky, still in her carrier, into the tent and close up the flap. The cross windows of the tent give good ventilation, and in this high desert, there’s a night breeze that makes the temperature comfortable.
Impulsively, I hold out my hand to Hannah. “Dance with me.”
Her eyes widen. “We don’t have any music.”
I reach for my phone and flip through my playlist. When I find a slow song, I press play.
“Now we’ve got music.”
She takes my hand and my other hand circles her waist. As the song, something about a lost love, plays, I pull Hannah closer until she rests her head against my shoulder.
Emotion fills my throat. Something about this moment feels so…real. By her silence, I sense Hannah’s feeling the same way.
Searching for a way to lighten the moment, I step back and spin her around. She laughs, and then I dip her.
As I lean over her, she whispers my name.
“What is it?” I say back.
“You were quiet on the ride today.”
I know she’s referring to the time after we made out in the back of the truck.
“I’m sorry,” I say sincerely. “I’m not used to spending time with a woman after we…”
“Hook up?” She fills in the blank.
