Page 27 of Better Than Expected

Hannah had finished her design for Caroline’s home before even Valentine’s Day had hit. She’d been so taken with designing it – she knew Caroline so well, knew what she wanted in a home, what she needed.

The entire design had completely slipped out and she’d shown it to Caroline – completed – within two weeks. Caroline had been utterly thrilled with it, and it had been genuine, too.

Hannah could tell.

The construction had started by April.

And now, even though the house wasn’t quite live-in ready but was so close, Caroline had excitedly offered to host the Fourth of July cookout at her new home.

She was happy for Caroline, she truly was.

Especially because she could see how proud Caroline was of the house, as she took her family and friends on tours of the home. She was practically vibrating with excitement as she’d come up behind Hannah to ask, “Can I take you on your personal tour, now?”

Hannah shook her head in amused exasperation. “The tour I took with Abbie and your mom earlier wasn’t personal enough…?”

Caroline playfully narrowed her eyes as she took Hannah’s hand in hers and tugged her up to stand. “Not nearly personal enough as I want to be with you.”

She stood with Caroline easily, though, because if Hannah was going to say she wasn’t excited to have a moment alone with Caroline amidst the crowd of the day, she’d be lying.

Caroline took her in through the kitchen and then up the stairs – the house still needed a few finishing touches. Paint colors that she knew would look bold and eye-catching, much like Caroline herself, the doors to the three bedrooms upstairs, the faucet in the guest bathroom. All small things that didn’t take away from the brilliance of the house itself.

“The only thing everyone else hasn’t seen – it’s too small for a grand tour, and I really wanted to only be here with you anyway,” Caroline murmured as she laced their fingers together and led Hannah through the master bedroom.

It was spacious with large windows that overlooked the yard and the woods. Plus, the French doors led to a small balcony, because she knew Caroline would enjoy that. And apparently, it was the balcony Caroline wanted to show her, throwing her a beautiful grin as she gestured for Hannah to go out the door first.

It was stunning, Hannah thought as she walked out onto the balcony as the sun was setting on the horizon.

“My dad’s going to light the fireworks soon,” Caroline whispered conspiratorially, wiggling her eyebrows in the cutest and most ridiculous way.

Her mouth fell open in exaggerated offense. “That’s illegal in the state of Massachusetts!”

They held eye contact as they broke down in laughter, and Hannah walked forward to the railing and slid her fingertips over the intricately carved wood.

“It really is beautiful,” she whispered, moving her hands over the railing again and closing her eyes, taking in a contented deep breath as Caroline came up behind her.

“It is. Thanks for designing it.” Caroline placed a light kiss against her hair.

Hannah shook her head, though. “You knew what you wanted.”

“But you brought it to life. It wouldn’t be nearly what it is if I hadn’t had you there to read my mind.”

Hannah felt a smile tug at her lips, and she just let it. Caroline often wanted her to accept a compliment, and she was working on it.

She could feel the deep breath Caroline took against her back, and she turned in her arms to look down at her curiously.

The look on Caroline’s face was soft and affectionate but also laden with nerves. Hannah could recognize that expression, and the implications with what it could mean immediately popped the bubble she’d spent the day in. The last two months in, really, ever since graduation and getting a job at an architecture firm.

“So,” Caroline began, taking in another deep breath and nodding to herself. “I’ll be moving into the house within the next couple of weeks. And… I’ll be missing you and Abbie, and having such quick access to you guys, and you to me.”

“It’s less than a half hour away,” Hannah was quick to say, especially as that feeling edged in even sharper.

She’d felt it – just a bit – when Caroline had given her the picture of the plot of land. But it hadn’t come up again in the last six months, and it weighed on her now like a stone.

Especially as she watched Caroline reach into her back pocket as she shrugged. “I know. It’s not really far, but it’s different.”

Hannah had to swallow hard, feeling her palms start to sweat and her heart begin to race as dread lodged in her stomach. What was coming out of that pocket?

“And I was thinking…” Caroline drew out a key.

---