Page 66 of Erik's Salvation
When they stepped into the office, the place was already full of people, all drinking and eating. Immediately, his chest felt tight. He hated crowded places like this.
As if she could feel his unease, Hannah slipped her hand into his and whispered, “Thank you for coming.”
And that touch, combined with the softness of her voice, was all he needed for the tightness to loosen.
They spent an hour and a half moving around the room so Hannah could greet clients and network. Erik was introduced to a lot of people, none of whom he remembered by name.
When they eventually approached Brigid and James, Erik was glad to stop moving for a while.
“My God, it’s busy tonight,” Brigid gushed, her gaze zipping around the large room. “Good job, guys. Lots of people means lots of sold houses, and hopefully, lots of returning clients.”
Hannah’s brows flickered, and he was almost certain he saw a small cringe. The expression was so subtle that no one noticed. No one but him.
Why? Because she hadn’t sold many houses? Because she didn’t have a lot of return clients? Was that why she was short on cash…and why she had those job printouts on her kitchen counter?
“We’re doing well over here, Brig.”
When James side-eyed Hannah, Erik’s muscles tightened. The look was almost smug. Because he was selling more than her?
Asshole.
Hannah didn’t seem to notice, instead getting pulled into a conversation with Brigid. When James excused himself to get some fresh air, Erik watched him the entire way down the hall.
Fresh fucking air? What was he, a house plant?
For some reason, he didn’t like the guy. Call it gut instinct.
“You look good with Hannah on your arm, Erik.”
Brigid’s words tugged his attention back to the women. “Hannah can make anyone look good.”
“And a charmer too.” Her eyes twinkled. “God, you’re gonna make this woman want a ring and babies soon.”
Every fucking bone in his body froze at those words. He knew she was joking, but it didn’t quell the panic that crawled up his throat. The sweat that beaded his forehead.
“Kids aren’t in my future.” The words came out clipped and short and so much harsher than he’d meant them to.
The smiles dropped from both Brigid’s and Hannah’s faces.
When his phone rang, air he hadn’t realized he’d been holding whipped out of his lungs. He bent down and pressed a kiss to Hannah’s cheek. “I’m just going to step out and take this.”
She nodded, and he hated the uncertainty on her face. The questions in her eyes.
He waited until he was in the hall to look at his phone. A smile tugged at his mouth when he saw the name of an old friend. Actually, the person who’d gotten Erik his current job.
“Rachel. You’ve been MIA for a while.”
Wind whistled in the background of the call. “I could say the same about you, buddy. A text on my birthday, then nothing?”
He laughed. He’d done more than send a damn text and she knew it. A very nice, very expensive bottle of tequila had found its way to her place. “You know that’s not true.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m the one who didn’t send anything onyourbirthday. But, hey, at least I remember to call and check in once in a while.”
It was true. She was a good friend. Eight years ago, when his entire damn world had imploded, this woman had been by his side. He probably wouldn’t have survived that time without her.
“How’s Rex?” Erik asked, pushing outside.
“Ha. I dumped that idiot months ago. He couldn’t handle me.”
