This is the first drive I can think of in ages where I was hesitant to get in the truck. Now that we're approaching West Stoneburg, I realize I'm reluctant to get to our destination.
Is it so wrong that I want Hanna to stay with me forever? Every single cell in my body is begging me to tell her to quit her job and move in with me today. To hell with her aunt and that shoe store. I'm sure she enjoys the job to a degree, since Hanna is pure sunshine and would find a way to enjoy what she was doing no matter where she was.
But still.
Reaching over, I squeeze her knee gently. "You have a good time this weekend, darlin'?"
Her eyes light up. "I really did. And…for the record… Every time you call me, darlin', it kind of… I don't know. I feel all tingly."
"Where?" My hand shifts to stroke the back of her knee. "Here?"
"Ummm… Not really."
My thumb runs along the inside of her wrist. "Here, then?"
She laughs, then takes my hand and places it right over her heart. "More like somewhere around here."
I clasp her hand and pull it to my chest, dragging her closer to my side of the truck. "Well, speaking for myself, this thumps extra loud every time I call you, darlin'…darlin'."
I've slowed the truck to a crawl so I can alternate between watching the road and studying her lovely, warm eyes.
“Hanna, you know you can tell me anything, right?"
She nods. "The same goes for you, too."
I place her hand back on her knee and pick up speed. “This is all going very, very fast," I say gently. "I can tell there's a lot of stress with working for your aunt, and living there."
"Yeah," she says softly. "I thought Mom was sending me to help her sister because she was overwhelmed with the shop ever since Uncle Davis got a different job. But I've come to realize that the reason she can't keep another employee is…" Her head drops.
"She's a bitch?" I suggest. Hanna nods.
"Because it's difficult to work hard and watch the boss sitting on their ass all day?” I continue. “I…may have skimmed the online reviews.” Hanna nods again. "Darlin’, just because it's family doesn't mean it's your dream…right?"
She turns to face me as I pull into her driveway. "Exactly. I did one year of college, then planned on a year of whatever work I could find until I had a real job on the horizon. I didn't want to end up with huge debt, you know?"
"If the job is making you that unhappy, I vote you quit."
Hanna looks at me, then rolls her eyes using her entire head. "But that would involve speaking up for myself and having two awkward conversations. First with my aunt, then with my mother. That's not very likely."
"In that case, I feel very privileged that you've been speaking up with me just fine."
"But you’re…” She stares at me for a moment, then looks down and bites her perfect bottom lip.
I jump out of the truck and dash around to her side to fling the door open and pull her into my arms. Once her feet are planted on the ground, I kiss her hard and deep, holding her close.
I can feel the tension melt from her body one part at a time. "No matter what happens, I've got you, darlin'. If you need a place to stay while you figure things out, I’ve got you. If you need money for school, I’ve got you. If you need someone to hold your hand while you tell your aunt that you quit,I’ve got you. Whatever it is… I'm here."
She sighs heavily, snuggling against me. "I really believe you. Which is kind of nuts."
"I know. I probably shouldn’t mention that most women are timid around enormous guys they’ve just met.”
Hanna laughs when I catch her lips in a quick kiss. "That’s the thing, though. I feel like I've known you a lot longer," she murmurs.
"I know. I feel…" I'm not sure why I hesitate. I know she's going to take this the right way. "I feel like we belong together, darlin'. Like there was a Hanna-shaped hole in my heart and you just stepped right on into it."
"Whoa, don't get all sentimental on me," she laughs.
"Me? Never." My chest puffs out. "I'm a tough guy that just…knows stuff."
