Page 62 of The Bachelor

A pause button.

And since I couldn’t discuss the situation with Hannah, she was the perfect person to call. She would get my brain fixated on something other than her brother.

She answered after the second ring with, “What are you doing right this second, bestie?”

I could hear the wine buzz in her voice, her tone telling me she was working on her second glass.

I laughed. “I called you. Shouldn’t that be my question?”

“If you tell me you’re busy, we’re going to be in a huge fight.”

“I’m not.” I started the car and shifted into drive. “I’m actually driving, so I’m as free as can be.”

“Good. Then, get your buns to Molly’s.”

I checked the time on the dash before I turned onto the road. “That’s where you are?”

“And it’s where you need to be.”

Molly’s was walking distance from my apartment and the spot where I usually met Hannah when we went out for drinks. I could park my car at home, and I wouldn’t even have to order a rideshare.

Time with my favorite girl and a couple more drinks and immediately passing out when I got home sounded like the best plan for the rest of tonight.

“I’ll be there in twenty-ish,” I told her, but something struck me the moment I replied, and I questioned, “What are you doing there anyway? You never go there without me.”

“Check your phone, babe. I’ve called and texted. I was giving myself another glass of wine before I marched my ass across the street to see why you weren’t answering.”

I’d seen multiple notifications on my screen before I searched for Hannah in my call log, but I’d just ignored them. And because my phone had been in my purse the whole time I was in the restaurant, I hadn’t heard her call or text.

“Sorry,” I replied. “I was at a work thing. But I’m on my way, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Hurry.”

And I did. The traffic was surprisingly light enough that I got to my apartment in less time than I’d estimated, giving me a few extra minutes to rush upstairs and change my clothes. The dress, although extra flowy so no one could tell, was wet on the inside from the two times he’d gotten me off. I was sure it had dried, but instead of waiting, I put on a pair of panties and jeans and an off-the-shoulder top, and I took a little longer than I wanted to check my hair and makeup before I headed across the street.

I didn’t know why I’d assumed Hannah was alone—she certainly wasn’t a solo drinker. I just hadn’t expected the entire family to be with her, but all three cousins—Dominick, Jenner, and Ford—along with their girlfriends and Declan were there, occupying three entire tables in the back of the bar.

The moment Hannah spotted me, she stood from her seat and shouted, “Oaklyn,” with her arms out. “What took you so long, woman?” She hugged me tightly. “I was worried you’d changed your mind.”

As I squeezed her shoulders, I took a quick peek at my watch. “I’m only seven minutes late.”

“But you’re never late.”

I laughed. “I ran upstairs and changed. I was fancied up for work and was craving my Converse.” I pulled away and went around the table, hugging all the family, noticing the only person who was missing before I took one of the open seats next to Hannah.

Camden had left after me—I was certain of that since I’d seen his sports car in the parking lot on my way out of the restaurant.

I wondered if he was coming here or going home.

Or heading somewhere to meet up with one of his fuck buddies—or whatever he called the girls he slept with and didn’t care about.

That was something I didn’t want to dwell on.

Something that made everything inside me start to hurt.

As I looked at Hannah, I wanted so badly to ask her if he was coming.

But I couldn’t.

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