Page 74 of Erik's Redemption
Andi touched her arm. “How’s your head been?”
“Absolutely fine. I have a headache today, but I think that’s because of a slight high in my blood sugars.”
Concern washed over the woman’s features. “Anything I can do to help?”
“No, but thank you.” Her gaze lowered to the salad Andi was putting together. “I’d love to give you a hand with dinner.”
Andi passed Hannah a loaf of bread. “We’re almost done, but if you could slice this?”
“Sure.”
She grabbed a serrated knife and started slicing, her gaze rising to Erik. He’d lowered to the couch opposite his father and Rachel and joined their conversation. A part of her was still feeling just a flicker of jealousy toward Rachel, and she hated that. Neither Rachel nor Erik had given her any reason to feel jealous. They were simply friends. Friends who went back a long way.
Rachel laughed at something Erik said. The rich, feminine tone floated through the room, hitting Hannah in the chest.
She wasn’t sure if she made a face or a sound, but she suddenly felt eyes on her.
A second later, Andi stepped back from the counter. “Hannah, can you come help me grab the place mats from the back room?”
Before Hannah could respond, Andi was moving out of the kitchen. Hannah followed, receiving a wink from Erik on the way. They went down the hall to what would’ve been a small bedroom in any other home.
“My mother calls this space her storage room,” Andi said, opening a custom-built cupboard and pulling out a box. “I call it her junk room.”
Hannah chuckled. “As long as everything has a place.”
“Oh, my mother makes space for everything. She’s not one to throw anything out.” Andi rummaged around in the box before pulling out some gray linen place mats. “Gotcha.”
She closed the box and slotted it back into place before turning to Hannah. “Now, tell me the truth. Are you doing okay?”
Hannah swallowed, considered giving the woman an easy lie, but in the end, she wanted to tell someone how she felt. She’d usually tell Brigid, but ever since Hannah had spotted that bruise, her friend had been avoiding her like the plague.Ignoring calls. Briefly answering texts, when she answered at all. Not making time to catch up.
“I feel jealous of their relationship,” she said quietly, as if others would hear her if she spoke too loudly. “I know I shouldn’t. Neither of them have given me anything to be jealous about. They’re friends. But their relationship just seems so…easy. Whereas he and I haven’t had it easy for a second.”
Andi nodded. “I can see how you’d feel that way. They’re close.”
Hannah’s belly did a little turn.
“But…” Andi continued, “Erik doesn’t want easy. He wants someone who makes him feel alive.” She gripped Hannah’s arm with her free hand. “He wantsyou. I saw him when he thought he’d lost you, Hannah. He was broken. He will never let anything or anyone get between you again.”
Hannah sucked in a shuddering breath, hoping that was true.
“Also, my brother knows hard, and he knows that everything worth having comesafterthe hard stuff. So don’t think the fact you haven’t had an easy road makes your relationship less important or worthy.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Andi pulled her into a hug. “And I will forever be grateful that you love my brother so much. So, thankyou.”
They stayed in the hug for long seconds. When they finally returned to the dining room, it was to find people moving toward the table, plates in hand.
Andi put the place mats down as Erik walked toward Hannah. “Everything okay?”
“Of course.” She rose to her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
“Good.” He pulled out a chair and she slid into it, then he sat beside her.
“All right, who’s ready for some herb-basted salmon?” Jennifer asked as she set a platter onto the table.
The second she lifted the lid, the scent wafted over Hannah. Usually, she loved salmon—but tonight, her belly rolled.
