Page 6 of Be Your Anything
She smiled through lunch, then smiled as she told us she had to work, then smiled while she was working.
She was smiling when she got home a little while ago, and she smiled all through the episode ofOur Planetwe just finished, which is a little weird since it’s about global warming and has a slightly ominous tone—though the clip we just watcheddidhave a group of birds working as a group to get their buddy laid.
Now, she sits snuggled on the couch, smiling as she messes around on her phone, likely texting with Wyatt.
I shake my head and take another sip of the Dalmore. Nowthatis something that will definitely take some getting used to.
Hannah and Wyatt.
Dating.
If anyone had ever bet me I’d have a sister and she’d be dating one of my closest friends, I’d have told them they were fucking insane—not because of the sister thing, but because I’d never have been able to imagine one of my good friends in a serious relationship.
The good thing formeis that Wyatt has a lot to make up for, so I know Hannah is going to keep him on his toes.
Like today.
He asked her what she was doing when she got off work and she told him she would be going home to relax and hang out with me. He looked a little stunned but then quickly recovered, asking when she was free so he could take her on a date.
They’re going out tomorrow, on a Monday, since she’ll be working so much this week. I can tell just how much he’s into her, because he got on the phone the minute she left the table and made a reservation at Nóstimo, the Greek restaurant that rarely has an open table and isn’t even open on Mondays.
But that’s Wyatt. He may hate the Calloway name, but it does serve him well when he wants to pull a few strings.
Hannah’s smile is probably because of the guy—even I’m not egotistical enough to believe her happiness is because of me—but I’m just glad to see it’s genuine, and persistent.
After the life she’s led, she deserves a heaping portion of happiness dumped onto her lap.
“Will you grab me some more water?” she asks, finally looking up at me and catching me staring at her. “What?” She glances around to see what I might be looking at then brings her eyes back to me.
“I’m just glad you stayed,” I reply, giving her a smile I hope is as genuine as hers.
She grins, tucks a throw pillow more snuggly into her side, and gives me a little shrug. “Well, I heard some very convincing arguments about why I should, so I figured I’d give it a shot. You know…give everyone a chance to follow through on their promises.”
“I’m sure it helps that the man of your dreams wrote you a super gushy love letter, too.”
Hannah scoffs and rolls her eyes. Then scoffs again.
I like this side of her. The playful side.
She didn’t used to tease or play or get irritated, even in jest, and it makes me happy knowing she feels comfortable doing it now, being completely herself.
It means she’s finally allowing herself to believe she belongs here.
“I don’t knowwhatyou’re talking about,” she replies as I grab a bottle out of the fridge for her. “I know of no dream manora gushy love letter.”
I smirk, walking towards her. “Yeah, sure. That sounds truthful.”
She blushes slightly, reaching out to take the water from my hand.
“So, you guys are going out tomorrow night?” I ask, settling back in on the opposite end of the couch. It isn’t really a question since I know it’s definitely happening, but I need to be the good big brother who asks about her life, not the dick who growls about his sister’s boyfriend.
I think most guys would find it hard to walk the line between the two, but I’m a pretty laidback guy. I don’t think it’ll be too hard.
Hannah sips from her water before answering, giving me a small nod. “It’s not a problem, right?” she finally says, a hint of worry etched in her expression. “I never even…thought to ask if it was okay for me to—”
“Hannah,” I say, interrupting her. “You can date whoever the hell you want, and you never need my permission, okay? No one else gets to decide what works for you and Wyatt. Not even me.”
“I know,” she blurts, barely letting me finish, “but I don’t want to affect your friendship with him or something, especially when we’re trying to make sure—”
