Page 155 of Square Deal

Spenser had gotten a call from the manager at Queen’s, saying that Hannah insisted on paying for her own drinks. That pissed me off.

I dozed off in her chair but, by the time eight-thirty rolled around, I was awake and ready for a fight.

The electronic card reader on the door beeped, and I watched the inside handle lower as Hannah pushed her way in.

Her surprise was palpable, as was the confusion that followed. Hurt washed over her before she could get the words out. “What are you doing here?” Her voice was already wavering.

I stood and buttoned my suit coat. “We need to talk.” I took a step forward, but she held her hands out defensively and took a step away from me. I stopped. “Hannah?—”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re giving me whiplash, Isaac,” she whispered.

I approached with slow, deliberate steps. She flinched when we were six inches apart. “Would it make you feel better to know that I watchedHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Dayson the flight here?”

She bit her lip. I couldn’t tell if she was trying not to laugh or cry.

“And maybe this is the moment in the love story when Matthew McConaughey realizes he can’t lose Kate Hudson, so he drives his bike through traffic to chase down her cab?”

I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Or maybe this is Noah and Allie screaming at each other, and him asking her what she wants.”

Hannah’s lip quivered.

“Maybe this is Chad Michael Murray running up the bleachers to kiss Hilary Duff. Throwing off everyone else’s expectations and going after his girl.”

Her big brown eyes finally met mine. There were tears welling up, waiting to roll down her cheeks. She swallowed and whispered. “When did you?—”

“Halfway to Tokyo,” I rasped. “I realized that if I chose anything over what I had with you, I’d be a fool.” I slid my fingers into her hair and cradled the back of her head as we stood toe to toe. “I had some time on my hands, so I watched every damn one of those movies you like.”

“Even—”

“EvenBridesmaids.” I smirked. “It was fucking hilarious.”

Hannah’s smile was watery. I held her forehead against mine and closed my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Han.”

She wrapped her hands around my wrists. I didn’t know if she was holding on for dear life or pushing me away.

“You told me you were sorry when you ended things in my driveway,” she said as she twisted out of my grasp and marched toward her desk. “I don’t need another apology, but if that’s what you came to do, then fine. You said your piece. Please leave me alone.”

“Do you still love me?” I snapped.

Hannah froze mid-stride.

I circled her wrist and yanked her back into my chest. “I asked you a question. Do you still love me?”

The first tear slid down her cheek. “Yeah, I do, okay? I still love you, and it’s going to take a while for me to get over that. And you showing up here uninvited isn’t helping.” Her voice wavered. “Please just go. Do what you do best and walk away.”

“No.”

Her breath hitched. Muscles clenched. She was gearing up for afight.Good.“What do you mean,no?” she said with trembling words. They were filled with a potent mix of lust and fury.

“I mean, no—I’m not walking away from you. Not when I still love you too.”

She shook her head and thrashed, desperate to escape my grasp. “Isaac, please.”

It was thepleasethat did me in. “Will you stop being so fucking polite all the goddamn time and just say what you want to say?” I shouted.

“Go!” she yelled again.

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