Page 99 of Promise Me Nothing
I nod.
“Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night? I want to spend more time with you.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, trying not to show how much I enjoy hearing those words. “Definitely.”
But then he gives me a big smile, one similar to how I feel inside, and it eases something in my chest. Something that feels slightly embarrassed at how quickly he has become someone of significant importance in my life.
Wyatt lifts his hands and places them on either side of my face, his thumbs softly caressing my cheeks.
It makes me feel small, but not in the way I usually feel in the hands of someone else. He makes me feel precious, treasured, like I’m something priceless that he needs to protect.
And it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever felt.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Wyatt
I park the Escalade outside of Lucas’ house and shut off the engine. Then I take a moment to sit in silence.
Hannah and I are going out to dinner tonight. I made reservations at a place called Papa Louis’, a little Italian place one town over that only has a dozen tables but makes the most delicious garlic bread I’ve ever had.
I know I’m doing exactly what Lucas warned me about a few days ago at The Wave. He’d gotten right in my face, reminded me what was at stake, told me I was thinking with my dick and that Hannah deserved better than that.
At first, I’d thought he meant that I was using her in the wrong way, and it pissed me off. But then I realized he just didn’t want me to use her more than I need to. That Lucas is starting to care deeply about her, is starting to feel that protective big brother emotion that doesn’t want some guy – any guy – sniffing around his sister.
So, feeling that little niggling bit of guilt at his words, I left.
But I can’t help myself when it comes to Hannah. I feel drawn to her, on a visceral level. I love when she smiles. I lovemakingher smile.
And that’s my plan tonight. Get her to enjoy herself as much as possible.
Because the Hannah I experienced last night? The one who feels partly responsible for Joshua’s death? The one who has guilt in her heart about caring about her new brother, and struggles with feeing lost in this town?
I want to help make sure she doesn’t feel those things.
Somewhere between meeting her at the Pier and holding her while she cried, this thing with Hannah became less about persuadingherto give something and more aboutshowingher what she deserves.
The promise of happiness and a place she belongs.
Maybe I can confirm that for her.
Though I can’t help but battle with the constant reminder looming in the back of my mind of what’s to come.
A storm.
And I wonder if we’ll make it through the aftermath.
When I finally head to the front and punch in the code at the gate to enter into the enclosed courtyard, I start to feel date nerves, something I haven’t had in a really fucking long time.
Then, I knock at the door. Watch through the frosted glass as Hannah’s form moves closer and closer to where I stand waiting.
She pulls the door open and my smile falls.
My eyes eat up everything I can see, becausedamn.
“Is this too fancy?” she asks, turning once. “Paige helped me get ready and I borrowed this from her because I definitely don’t have any date clothes. She said this was good for anything.”
I nod, feeling a bit stunted for words.
