Page 83 of Hannah.

We pause by a tranquil pond, koi fish swimming in elegant arches beneath the surface. Hannah leans closer, her voice a soft whisper against my ear. “Do you think they have secret underwater meetings?”

“Probably discussing the latest gossip in the fish world.”

As we continue our exploration, we find hidden alcoves adorned with glowing lanterns, casting a romantic glow over the gradually darkening landscape. We aren’t the only ones here, but the few other people we’ve passed are nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, Hannah lowers herself to the stone island between two of the bridges, slides off her boots, and slips her feet into the cold water.

“Come join me,” she urges, her smile playful.

“Now, how could I resist such a charming invitation?” I kick off my shoes and sit beside her, letting my legs dangle in thewater. The koi have gathered around our feet, their curious fins brushing against our skin.

We lose track of time, content to just be in each other’s presence, enjoying the simple pleasures that surround us. The branches of the trees above dip and sway in the breeze, the leaves whispering secrets that seem reserved for us alone. Hannah rests her head against my shoulder again, her eyes closing as she takes a deep breath.

“I don't want this day to end,” she murmurs, her voice tinged with melancholy.

“Who said it has to end? We could always stay here and start a new life as fugitives from society.” My tone is light, but there’s a trace of seriousness beneath the words. How could I ever go back to a life without Hannah now that I’ve known what it's like to have her?

“I don’t think that will work,” she laughs airily. “Both of our families are quite attached to us, I believe.”

“True, they’d probably send a search party.”

A comfortable silence falls over us, and Hannah’s fingers make languid patterns on my thigh. Her touch is familiar and yet somehow still exciting, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. It’s hard to remember why I’m supposed to resist her when every cell in my body is aching to feel her pressed against me.

“How is your family doing?” I ask her finally, more to avoid processing the strength of my feelings here and now. The warmth of her cheek on my shoulder seeps into my skin, the sugary scent of her skin headier in the heat of the evening. “I always enjoyed the dinners I was invited to in the past. I can see why the invitations stopped coming, though,” I nudge her foot with mine.

She wrinkles her nose. We aren't supposed to talk about Elise, at least that's what Hannah wished before, but I think aftertoday, the target of my affection between the two sisters is quite clear. I’ve almost forgotten the empty ache I felt for the older Van den Bosch sister so long ago, the yearning for the ideal of what Elise represented. Then, seeing her in Capri with her now long-term boyfriend before they had admitted their feelings and how it had shaken me from the haze of those false, misdirected feelings.

With Hannah...Christ, it is so different. Every beautiful inch of her, the deep, vulnerable, flawed parts of her, I desire all of them with equal ferocity.

Eventually, she answers, and I’m glad to see I’m not receiving any of her ire for inquiring about her sister and the rest of her family. “They're great, actually. Mom and Dad dropped me off at Cambridge. They’d have loved to have seen you.”

“Perhaps another time. Maybe in the next few months, if you think it wouldn't be too odd.”

Hannah considers this. “Maybe. I could figure something out. If not, they'll understand. It’s not like either of us can afford a slip-up before we’ve informed everyone about…us.”

“Right.”

“And...Elise is great too, you know.” Hannah gives me a significant look.

“Is this a test?” I arch a brow, amused.

“No. Just…” Hannah shakes her head. “Nevermind. It’s fine. I’m being silly. And Elise and Dan are still together. I’ve never seen her so happy, Johan. He's the one for her; I really think he is.”

The fact I’m glad to hear that shows just how far separated I am from those years when Elise meant something to me. Something…but nothing even approaching what I feel for Hannah. “That's amazing. Love really does exist, doesn’t it?”

“Of course it does,” Hannah replies instantly back. “Andries and Roxanne are good as well. It’s so odd to see my two oldersiblings being adults in the real world while the younger ones are still so obviously kids. It leaves me feeling stuck in the middle, honestly.”

“You’re growing too, Hannah. You've got your own direction now, a passion for your major, and a degree to finish. Soon enough, you’ll feel like an adult, too.”

“Easy for you to say,” she teases. “You’re already a functioning member of society.”

“Only barely,” I chuckle. “Trust me, when I was first starting out, I had my fair share of sleepless nights wondering if I was doing the right thing.”

“Well, you did eventually find your path.” She returns my gesture from earlier, nudging my foot with hers and dragging her toes up the arch of it. “And I’ve started to find mine.”

“I’m glad they’re converging.”

“Me too. When I was younger, I always imagined that if I was lucky enough to catch your eye, I’d feel like a kid compared to you—a stupid, silly teenager.”

I frown, turning to meet her gaze. “Really? You’re far from it.”

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