Page 8 of Love Like This

Feed me, Seymour.

Feed me all night long…

Perhaps not exactly appropriate for a man I’m crushing on. Well, at least not safe for work, I think to myself with a giggle. I bet hecouldfeed me all night long, though.

My mind wanders and I almost don’t accept the call before it goes to voicemail.

“Ignoring me, Hani?” He teases me.

A few days after we all agreed to live together, he and I had a long conversation, sharing things about ourselves to break through any potential awkwardness. In essence, we’re essentially doing our own version of the TV show Big Brother minus the cameras. Seymour decided to give me a nickname. Something I’ve hated since I was little. I was Hannah and that was that. From him, however, I love it. Especially after he told me the meaning of the one he chose.

Hani, in Arabic, equals carefree – though it’s generally a masculine name in that tongue – and happy in Hawaiian where it’s unisex. I like both regardless of the gender specificity.

I like even more that he gave it to me. It’s our thing and that means a lot to me.

As he’s starting to.

“Never. I was uh, laughing at the tone I chose for you.”

“Gulp.”

I crack up. “You’re supposed to actually make the noise, not the sound for it.”

“The action might not have traveled, so I embellished.”

“You’re cute.”

“I know,” he instantly concurs.

“And modest it seems.”

“I know that, too.”

“What am I going to do with you?”

“Oh sweetheart, if you’re asking for suggestions…” he replies, his voice dropping to a deeper level. Is that what he sounds like after sex? Or in the morning?

“Gulp.”

**Seymour**

Hannah can’t see the grin she just caused, which is probably for the best. It’s a bit evil in nature, in a good way – it’s a thing – since it means my plan to win her over is in effect.

I knew from the second I saw her in that hall, eavesdropping at our adorable grands – which is how we tend to refer to them – that she was special. Each encounter with her since has only reinforced that. As has her grandma. I can’t tell you how many conversations have occurred where Enola has thrown in a compliment about Hannah.

“My Hannah is so smart.”

“Did you know my Hannah runs her own business?”

“Hannah is beautiful inside and out.”

But my favorite, if I’m being honest…

“Hannah is single, in case you’re wondering.”

I agree with every one she’s said aside from the last. In my mind and heart, Hannah is spoken for. She doesn’t know it yet, but Enola, that sly and observant woman, does. And, thankfully, she’s all for it.

If Hannah’s response just now is any indication, she might be too.

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