The cat offered an uninterested sniff in response.
Folding up the paper, Hannah stood and stretched, feeling antsy.Getting some air and ridding herself of all this anxious energy would do her good. Or else she’d just hole up for the night with a bottle of wine but then have a raging hangover to contend with on top of everything else.
‘I’m going out for a walk,’ she told the cat. ‘You do – well, whatever it is that you do when I’m not here – and I’ll see you in a bit.’ Reaching down, she gave it a gentle scratch behind the ears before heading out the door.
Approaching the door to P-1, Hannah cast a final glance over the words before slipping the note under the door, wondering why she felt so wistful about saying goodbye to someone she’d never met.
Chapter 67
WARD
‘So now that everyone’s decided you’re a hero and not a knuckle-dragging goon, I’ve received an influx of new clients. Seems people thinkI’mthe mastermind behind your … um … stamina.’ Shelley’s eyes twinkled with amusement and Ward, no matter how down in the dumps he still felt, couldn’t help but smile.
Today’s session was their last since he was now back training with the team and they’d arranged to meet in the park for a gentle jog.
‘Obviously,’ she added, standing in her running gear, stretching and bouncing on her feet as she warmed up, ‘I’m setting the record straight with my clients in no uncertain terms that you and I have a business relationship only. Call it my own PR strategy.’
‘Well, I’m glad something good came out of it in the end. Did Zeke get to see his mom kick ass on TV?’
She laughed and playfully punched him on the shoulder. ‘He keeps replaying it over and over. And plenty of good has come out of it. You’re fighting fit and will be back on the ice right in time for the playoffs. Even better, the world loves you, I’m so happy for you.’
Kendrick’s sudden plummet from grace had truly led to a massive about-turn, with Ward now being placed on a pedestal and heralded as a Gallant Defender of Women on pretty much everymedia outlet. Even his mom had grudgingly admitted she was impressed, a first for sure.
And while he’d publicly emerged the victor and his image was completely transformed, like Hannah had always intended, it all felt empty and lacking. Because Ward didn’t have her to celebrate it with. All he had wanted when he first met her was to fix the knee and get back to playing – and he had all of that now and even more, but it felt hollow.
Shelley stopped stretching and crossed her arms over her chest, her smile fading. ‘She’s still not talking to you, is she?’
He glanced away, pretending to be interested in a dog walker wrangling a six-pack of pooches down the sidewalk, then shook his head.
‘Not returning my calls,’ he said. ‘Obviously thinks I’m the one responsible for destroying his career – even though the asshat did that to himself. And if she’s still with him after everything …’
Shelley pursed her lips. ‘You honestly think she’s still with him? Not a chance. She didn’t seem happy with him that night, and anyway, who would stay with a guy like that after what’s come out? Hannah’s not an idiot. And yeah, of course she was mad at you, who wouldn’t be? I was ready to kill you with my bare hands for putting me in that situationandin a goddamn Cinderella dress too. But controlling your image was Hannah’s job, so all the work she did went right down the drain. I don’t blame her for being upset,’ Shelley surmised. ‘Embarrassed too, I guess, though I get now that you were doing her a favour.’
Ward nodded and ran his hands through his hair – and the pair started on a light jog in the direction of Bethesda Terrace.
‘I know that and I’ve tried to apologize. Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely not sorry for kicking his ass. I knew I didn’t misjudgethat; he was obviously hurting her so I wasn’t sorry even when the kangaroo court was calling for my head instead of his. And grabbing you too? Asshole deserved everything we gave him.’
‘Damn straight.’ Shelley kept pace next to him as they turned on East Drive. Cherry blossoms adorned the surrounding tree branches, creating a floral carpet beneath their feet as they ran. ‘Nothing to apologize for there.’
‘Except for making Hannah’s life harder,’ Ward admitted. ‘Right from the get-go I made things difficult, sometimes impossible for her. I complained about every last thing. I never thought for a second that she might have stuff to deal with too, and had another dickwad making her life hard. And she didn’t deserve that, especially when she’s so good at what she does and took the time to understand what I was comfortable with. She … got me.’
As they reached the bottom of the steps, Ward stopped in his tracks and Shelley ran a couple steps ahead before realizing she had lost him. She looked back to see him leaning over, bent at his waist, hands on his knees, his head facing the ground.
The water sparkled in the sunlight as the angelic statue on top of the fountain watched over the space like a silent sentinel. A gentle breeze carried with it the laughter of nearby picnickers and the distant hum of city life, but all of it was lost on Ward.
Shelley walked over and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘So then, go and gether.’
Chapter 68
Returning from his run, Ward headed through the foyer of his building and to the elevator, in need of a shower. He felt much better after the workout though, and the talk with Shelley, heartened that maybe Hannah hadn’t gone back to Kendrick despite all.
But then why was she still not returning his calls?
Getting into the elevator, he pressed the button for his floor and turned around to face the lobby, glancing down at his phone to check it again. Then looked back up just as the elevator doors were closing, only to see someone who looked remarkably like Hannah passing through the lobby and toward the double-door exit. Even from behind he’d recognize her anywhere.
She hadn’t seen him, but his heart soared, and a flurry of emotions burst in his chest. Had she come here to see him? Finally calmed down enough to talk to him? Maybe she would tell him that she had ended it with Kendrick? Or hopefully, had a change of heart about taking him back as a client. What could all this
mean?
