Page 21 of Erik's Redemption
His hands fisted, but Hannah tugged his arm. Finally, he stepped away with her. She kept tugging until they stood in a quiet corner of the yard, then she spun on him. “What was that?”
“I didn’t like him being so close to you.”
“He wasn’t touching me. He was just talking over the music. And everyone was there. Henry, Brigid, Henry’s partner, Owen.”
Erik scrubbed a hand over his face. She was right. “Hannah—”
“That wasn’t okay.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
He expected to receive more anger from her. He deserved it. Instead, she stepped closer and cupped his cheek. He felt that touch everywhere. The warmth. The softness. “Apology accepted. I’m more worried about why you overreacted. Are you okay?”
For once, he couldn’t lie. It was like he’d reached his quota for the month. “No.”
Her eyes turned sad. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not here. Not now.”
He readied himself for the barrage of questions. For her to push him for answers. But they never came. Instead, she slipped her arms around his waist and lay her head over his heart.
The embrace felt so fucking right, it was like medicine.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her back, needing everything this woman was willing to give him, while knowing he didn’t deserve any of it.
CHAPTER 7
Hannah watched Erik from across the garden. She stood at a tall bar table, mostly because she was all danced out. Erik was talking to his father, and their conversation looked…tense.
Was he telling him what he couldn’t tellher? Was he giving his father any reason as to why he wasn’t okay? Surely his parents noticed…
She’d wanted to push for answers earlier. The fact that he’d admitted he wasn’t okay had been their first little breakthrough. But he was right. This wasn’t the time and place.
She just had to have faith that the time would come when he would open up to her. That they would eventually find their way back to each other.
She lifted her water to her lips and sipped it as she watched the small group beside Erik and his dad—Nate, Andi, Finley, and a tall, intense-looking guy. With his arm around Finley, it was obvious they were a couple. Even without the arm around her, though, Hannah would probably have guessed that he was the bodyguard Finley had spent Christmas with in Canada. Andi had told Hannah bits and pieces about the whirlwind romance.
Their love looked easy, and she couldn’t help but feel just a small jolt of jealousy about that. She didn’t necessarily needeasyin her relationship. She just wished things weren’t so hard.
She took another sip of water. She’d switched after the two cocktails had spiked her glucose. She didn’t mind switching. She wasn’t a big drinker at the best of times. Brigid, on the other hand…
Her best friend was on the dance floor, eyes closed as she leaned back into Henry while they moved to the music. The woman had drunk far too much, and Hannah couldn’t help but worry about that. Was she attempting to drown her sorrows? To dull the pain of losing James?
“Disgustingly cute, aren’t they?”
She glanced up at Owen. She hadn’t spoken to Henry’s new partner much tonight, but from what she’d gauged, he seemed friendly and down to earth. “I think those two were destined to be best friends from the day they were born.”
“It sure seems that way.” He sipped his beer. “Henry told me you’re a real estate agent.”
“I am. Are you looking to buy?”
“Actually, I might be. I’ve been renting a small apartment since I got to town, but it means I’m also having to rent a garage for the bikes I’m fixing. I’d love a place with some land for my own garage.”
“I’ve got a few I’m selling at the moment. You’re welcome to come around to my office. I can show you what I have and you can decide if you want to look at anything.”
He dipped his head. “That sounds good.”
“Great. I’ll call you Monday and we can set up a meeting time.” And that would give her more time to get to know Henry’s new partner. “Henry said you’re a mechanic?”
