Janie stared into the seemingly bottomless love in Hannah’s gaze. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Hannah said and kissed her again. “I just wanted you to know that even in the worst moments, even when we were apart and everything felt impossible, I saw you. And I’m never going to stop seeing you.”
Janie pulled Hannah into a kiss that was equal parts gratitude, love, and promise. When they broke apart, Hannah held her tight, and they stood there in the quiet of her office, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other in.
“Thank you for that,” Janie whispered and flicked a glance at the sketchbook.
“I’m glad you like it.”
A knock on the door made them both jump, and RB stuck her head in. “Sorry to interrupt whatever disgustingly romantic moment you’re having, but I need everyone in the main bay. I have an announcement.”
“We’ll be right there,” Hannah said.
After RB disappeared, Janie looked back at the portfolio. “Were you just showing me this, or do I get to keep it?”
“It’s yours,” Hannah said and cast her eyes downward as her face flushed. “I’m just happy you want to keep it.”
“Of course I do.” Janie wrapped her hand around the back of Hannah’s neck and pulled her in for one last kiss. “You’re so talented.”
They returned to the main garage hand in hand, with Janie’s steps lighter yet more solid, as if Hannah’s gift had reminded her of something fundamental: she was loved and, most importantly of all, she was enough.
Across the room, RB’s voice rose above the general chatter. “Okay, okay, everyone shut up for a second. I have an announcement.”
The room quieted, and everyone turned to RB, who looked uncharacteristically nervous. “So,” she said, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “I’ve been offered a temporary position.” Sheran her hand through her hair, adjusting her quiff slightly. “In New York.”
There was a collective intake of breath, and Hannah’s grip on Janie’s hand tightened.
“What kind of position?” Gabe asked.
RB looked across at Lori. “Working with Hank on his veterans’ housing project. He needs someone to help launch the first shelter, someone who understands the population, who can do intake and assessment, and someone who’s not going to take shit from bureaucrats. Apparently, I fit the bill.”
Janie nodded, remembering Lori and her dad telling everyone about the project at Lori’s birthday meal a couple of months ago. It’d been clear then that RB was excited by the proposal.
“Are you going to take it?” Woody asked quietly.
RB glanced around the room. “I think so. It’s only for a few months, like a sabbatical, basically. Long enough to get the shelter up and running, train the permanent staff. But it’s good work. Important work.”
Hannah shifted beside Janie. “But the garage?—”
“Will be fine without me for a few months,” RB said. “You guys can handle things. And it’s not forever. I’ll be back by spring, probably earlier. But this feels like something I need to do.”
Gabe stepped up to RB and grasped her shoulder. “You should do it. I knew Hank had lit a fire under your ass when he talked about it.”
“Really?” RB’s shoulders visibly dropped an inch. “You’re not pissed I’m bailing?”
“You’re not bailing, you’re growing.” Shay moved to the other side of RB and punched her arm. “After Hank told us about his plans, we’ve all been talking about how we could do more, how we wanted to help vets who’re struggling. You’re actually going to do it.” She raised her wine glass. “That’s something else to celebrate.”
RB’s eyes shone. “I’m going to miss you assholes.”
“We’ll miss you too,” Hannah said. “But we’ll see you over the holidays, right?”
Her grip on Janie’s hand tightened to the point where Janie had to tap Hannah’s forearm, but Hannah relaxed when RB nodded.
“You can count on that,” RB said. “That’s one of the things we promised we’d always do once we were all civvies again.”
“Plus,” Woody said, “maybe you’ll actually learn to fold your clothes properly while you’re living in New York. The rest of us are tired of your slob habits.”
The room erupted in laughter, the tension breaking. RB flipped Woody off and grinned. “My slob habits are part of my charm.”
