Page 59 of Until Hanna

“At least eight hours, maybe more than that. I think the wine has gone to my head.”

“You didn’t even finish your glass,” Walker says, dipping his chin down to look at me before focusing back on Blair and Douglas. “She woke up with a migraine this morning.”

“You didn’t mention you had a migraine this morning when I spoke to you,” Douglas scolds, and I sigh.

“It wasn’t a big deal. I took my shot, and by the time I woke up, it was gone.”

“Itwasa big fucking deal,” Walker grumbles, and I have to stop myself from elbowing him in the side when both Blair and Douglas study me with concern.

“I’m fine.”

“You should have rested today,” Blair counters instantly.

“I’ll sleep tonight, I’m fine.” I yawn again.

“You should go. It’s already getting dark out, and you have a drive.”

“I’m fine,” I repeat, but she ignores me as she gets up off the arm of the chair Douglas is sitting in and comes back a minute later with our coats.

“Are you kicking me out?” I laugh, taking the coat she hands me.

“Yes, you need to go home and sleep. You and Walker can come back in a couple of days if you’re feeling up to it.”

Feeling like a little kid being sent to bed, I get up, and Walker helps me put on my coat.

“I’m going to tell the girls I’m leaving.” I tell him once I have my coat buttoned.

“I’ll get us a car.” I nod and walk down the hall, and knock on the girls’ bedroom door. When Vi opens it I see Elsie lying on her stomach on her bed.

“I’m taking off, I wanted to come steal a hug before I go.” I say and Vi wraps her arms around me while Elsie gets up and walks across the room towards us, “I’ll see you guys in a few days.”

“Can we go see a movie next weekend?” Vi asks with a hopeful smile.

“Absolutely just let me know which one.”

“I will.” She gives me one last squeeze while I smile at Elsie. Letting her go I head back down the hall and they follow.

When I get back into the living room, Walker and Douglas are talking quietly. I don’t know what’s being said, but I can imagine he’s sounding very much like my dad right now.

“Thank you for dinner.” I hug Blair. “I didn’t know how much I needed this evening to get my mind off things.”

“You know you’re welcome here any time.” She gives me one last tight squeeze, then lets me go to say goodbye to Walker. When Douglas opens his arms, I roll my eyes and walk to him.

“I like him, girl.”

That simple statement fills me with warmth. He and my dad are a lot alike, so if he likes Walker, so will my father.

“Me too.” I smile up at him when he lets me go. After saying good night to the girls Walker places his hand against my lower back and ushers me out of the house. And by the time we reach the end of the sidewalk, a car is there, waiting for us and he opens the back door for me.

“What are you thinking about?” Walker asks, his fingers around mine squeezing gently as I watch out the window of the cab as the suburbs become the city. The closer that we get to my place the more anxiety I feel.

“Just… that dinner was good.” I look over at him as the light from the street lamps illuminate his striking features as we zoom by.

“It was. You have some great friends.”

“I do.”

“I’m getting that they’re more like family though.”

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