The Perfect Secret

Chapter Seven

Hannah turned to her computer and ran a search: How to get a guy to open up to you. She reared back at the number of results—503,000,000 of them. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one dating someone who didn’t talk about his feelings. She needed a plan to help her get to know Dan better and to make him talk. At the top of the page was a simple list:

1. Pay attention to body language

2. Show appreciation

3. Do something fun together

4. Talk about things he cares about

5. Don’t make assumptions

6. Be direct

Chewing on her lip, she evaluated the suggestions. Body language. He was the master at showing her he didn’t want to discuss something. He turned into a glacier every time she asked if he was okay. Therefore, maybe it was time to ask a different question. Appreciation. Had she shown enough? Probably not. Okay, she could work with appreciation. Do something fun together. They had. The planetarium was lots of fun. But she hadn’t gotten anywhere. Should she invite him to her apartment? Her grandmother was there, but she went out with her friends often enough. She flipped through her calendar. This weekend, in fact, her grandmother planned to visit Hannah’s brother and their kids. She’d have the place to herself. She and Dan could hang out, watch a movie and maybe she’d try to cook for him. She wasn’t the best in front of a stove, but she could put something together. Talk about things he cares about, don’t make assumptions and be direct.

Okay, tonight, she’d make sure her grandmother’s travel plans were set for the weekend and put her own plan into motion.

Tuesday during lunch, Dan paced in his office. Ignoring the painful flames his leg shot, pushing all thoughts of meds aside no matter how he craved them, he walked between his door and window and back, thinking of the ramifications, the possibilities, the complications involved in inviting Hannah to go out with him and Tess.

They’d just started seeing each other. If Tess got attached and things didn’t work out, it would hurt his daughter, something he’d sworn after that fateful day seven years ago to never do again. But, she was fourteen, and she understood that not everything was guaranteed to work out. However, if Tess ended up disliking Hannah once she got to know her better, he’d have to break things off with her, and he didn’t relish that idea either.

How much longer could he postpone Hannah finding out about his past drug addiction? He was overthinking. But he couldn’t help it. Tess was right. He liked Hannah. A lot. He went to sleep with visions of her in his mind. He dreamt about her. He conducted imaginary conversations with her during the day. It was time for her to get to know his daughter. But could he risk it?

His jaw ached from clenching his teeth and as he opened his mouth to loosen his muscles, it dissolved into a yawn. He tried to stifle it when Lisa popped into his office. She winked. “Caught you.”

Shaking his head, he stopped pacing and leaned against the heater under the window. “You did.”

“Late night?”

He’d been awake past two worrying and planning and figuring. “Not really. Just didn’t get as much sleep as I’d like.”

“Did you have a chance to look further into those numbers I gave you?”

“Yeah, I did. There’s no way Fortex is on the up and up. I mean, I know they develop important pharmaceuticals, but million-dollar donations to charity? And while I’m still waiting for confirmation from the charities, from the conversation I had with them, I don’t think the numbers are accurate. I think we’ve got what we need to open an investigation.” He rose and walked over to his desk. Putting aside his own prejudices against a pharma company, her work was solid. He rummaged through the papers on top until he found her report and handed it to her. “Good job.”

She nodded. “Thanks. I’ll get started filing the preliminary paperwork.” As she headed out the door, she paused and turned to look at him. “Yes, you should ask her out.”

He whipped around. “What?”

“No man gets that look on his face unless he’s thinking about a woman. And you didn’t sleep last night, so you must have been worrying. Go for it.” With a wave, she left and he listened to her heels clack along the hall.

Was he that obvious? Oh hell. He grabbed his phone and punched in her number. Hannah answered and before he could chicken out—again, he blurted, “Brooklyn flea market. Saturday. I’ll bring Tess so you can get to know her better.” Whoa, that’s not what he’d planned to suggest. Or how he’d planned to ask her.

“Well, hello to you too.”

Damn. “Sorry…hello.”

“Was that an invitation or a command?”

He ran his hand along the nape of his neck. “It was supposed to be an invitation.”

“Hmm, you might want to work on your technique a bit.”

He chuckled. “Among other things.”

“I can’t.”

He sat up in his seat. Of all the possibilities he’d considered, her refusal wasn’t one of them. Fool. “Oh, ah, all right. Maybe some other time…”

Her laugh confused him. “I can’t, because I want you to come to my apartment.”

Breath whooshed out of him. “You do?”

“Yes, I thought it would be fun to hang out together and get to know each other in a more relaxed situation. My grandmother will be away. Although you’ll have to make do with my cooking, which isn’t fabulous. So, how about we compromise? We can do the flea market first and the two of you can come to my apartment for dinner.”

“That’s a great idea, but in all seriousness, come to my place. Tess will be with us and…”

“You mean you haven’t broken her of the habit of climbing on other people’s furniture and writing on the walls yet?”

He loved the way this woman made his problems seem trivial. “I don’t want to impose on you.”

“You won’t, Dan. Neither will Tess. I’m serious, let’s do both. Besides, it might be better for Tess to get to know me somewhere other than her own home.”

She had a point there. “All right, if you’re sure. Tess and I will pick you up at eleven.”

He hung up the phone and unclenched his fist. It was a good compromise.

The sun cooperated on Saturday morning and shined brightly, warmed the air and made Hannah feel as if it were summer again. With a last tip of her head toward the sky, she left the balcony, and waited for Dan and Tess outside the building. When their car pulled up, she opened the door and slid into the seat.

“Hi guys.” Leaning toward Dan, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and waved to Tess.

Dan’s face was red, which matched his red Henley. Hannah thought it was cute. He cleared his throat. “Tess, you remember Hannah.”

“Uh, yeah Dad, it was only a couple of weeks ago.”

She gave Hannah a small smile. Dressed in black leggings and a baggy grey sweater, her greeting was as colorless as her outfit.

“Hi, Tess. I’m glad you’re joining us today.”

“Thanks. Dad’s not.”

Really? Hannah frowned. Had she forced the meeting? She’d swear Dan suggested it first, but…

“Tess! Why would you say such a thing?” Dan faced his daughter, his jaw clenched.

“Because it’s true.”

“I needed to wait for the right time.” He turned to Hannah. “Despite what she says, I’m glad you’re here.”

Hannah nodded. She hoped he meant it. “I hope you like to shop, Tess.”

Tess nodded and reached for her phone.

Dan pulled onto the road. As he paused to let traffic go by, he reached over and squeezed her fingers, bringing them to his lips for a brief kiss.

“Okay people, we need to set some ground rules here,” Tess said. “No mushy stuff, not when I’m sitting behind you. And two hands on the wheel, Dad.”

Dan glanced into the rearview mirror. “Would you like to get out now?”

“Dad!” Tess slid as far down as her seatbelt would allow.

Hannah bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. “Okay, Tess, don’t worry, no mushy stuff with your dad.” Maybe she could sneak a kiss later if Tess was occupied. Otherwise, it would be a long day.

Tess gave a reluctant smile. “Good to know somebody understands.”

“Hey. Why do I feel like I’m outnumbered?” Dan asked.

“Because you totally are.” Hannah winked at Tess.

Determined to win Tess over, Hannah joked with her and Dan. To her surprise, Hannah found Tess shared her love of Panic at the Disco; they talked about music and the band’s best songs for much of the car ride to Brooklyn. By the time they pulled into the flea market, the tension had eased a little; she and Tess reached a reluctant accord and Hannah was mentally exhausted.

“Wow, this is huge,” Tess said as they exited their car. What seemed like acres of white-topped tents filled with every vendor imaginable lined the market. Smoke billowed from grills where food vendors sold chicken and ribs, and what smelled like curry. Music played and people called to one another, their voices blending and providing a background harmony.

“Oh look, they have clothes!” Tess headed in the direction of a booth filled with colorful, flowing skirts and Dan gave a shout.

“Wait, Tess!”

She paused and looked at him.

“We’re all doing this together, remember?”

Tess rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

The three of them strolled the aisles, past fried dough, denim and leather clothes and sports collectibles vendors. Hannah inhaled the scents of fried foods and roasted peanuts, plus lots of sugar. They paused often to check on the quality of fabric, or to exclaim over some find they hadn’t expected. After an hour or so, they’d covered about a quarter of the market. Hannah noticed Dan slowing down. As they approached an area set up for eating, she got an idea.

Turning to Dan, she spoke in a low voice. “How about you sit here for a bit while Tess and I go look at some clothes.”

Dan’s gaze narrowed and his voice became defiant. “I don’t mind going with you.” He folded his arms across his body and Hannah couldn’t decide if she wanted to laugh at his predictability or admire his muscular chest and arms, which were emphasized by his stance. His red Henley was unbuttoned at the neck and gave a glimpse of dark chest hair. She consoled herself by rubbing her hands over his biceps, committing their feel to memory.

“I know, but it will give Tess and me a chance to bond over girl stuff. You don’t have to sit here. You can explore on your own if you prefer.”

He looked between Tess and the tables and chairs, and his hand gripped his cane hard enough to turn the knuckles white, as a brief flash of longing showed on his face. “You have your phones, right?”

Hannah and Tess held them up.

“Great, go do your thing, but text me and let me know what’s going on.”

“Just a sec, Tess,” Hannah called. “Oh, and you might want to look the other way.” She turned to Dan, stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips. They were minty with a hint of salt from sweat and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “We won’t be gone long.”

“Take your time. I want the two of you to get to know each other.”

Hannah gave him one last, quick kiss before she turned to Tess. “You ready?”

“I guess. But you have to stop with the kissing.”

The two of them wandered the clothes vendors, and stopped to check out the jeans.

“You’re pretty smart,” Tess said.

“Why do you think so?” Hannah held up a pair and looked in the mirror. With a frown, she put them back, unhappy with the color and cut.

“Because there’s no way my dad could do this whole place, and you got him to sit without him realizing your plan.”

Hannah turned to Tess. “I’m pretty sure he realized. I just suggested a way not to embarrass him.”

Tess nodded and for the first time, Hannah noticed a hint of admiration on her face.

They moved on to a T-shirt vendor and the two of them giggled at “People Are Buggy,” showing a cartoon of an ant with googly eyes on the front. Hannah picked out an “Eat Dessert First” one and paid the vendor. “You and your dad seem close.” Hannah put her wallet away and grabbed the bag.

“He’s cool. Sometimes. What about your family?”

She blocked the images of Jeff with red eyes and track marks on his arms. “Well, I live with my grandma and I have three older brothers, like I told you at the concert. Plus some nieces and nephews.” Their smiling faces eased the pressure behind her forehead.

“Do you want kids of your own?”

Hannah smothered a cough. “I like kids, so yeah, someday.”

“What about your parents?” Tess picked up and returned a silver pendant to the tray.

“My parents got divorced when I was in middle school and we lost contact with my dad.” She swallowed, remembering the turmoil of those early years. “My mom died a few years ago.” Blinking, she turned away so Tess wouldn’t see.

“Oh. My mom died too.”

“Your dad mentioned it. I’m sorry.”

Hannah fingered some scarves. Tess picked out a yellow one and twisted it around her neck.

“Here, try it this way,” Hannah said.

Tess admired herself in the mirror. “I was seven. It was a car accident. That’s how my dad hurt his leg.”

Hannah nodded. She didn’t want to pump Tess for information, but she wouldn’t stop her from sharing of her own free will. “I’m sorry. It must have been rough. The scarf looks pretty on you. Let me buy it for you?”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.”

Tess nodded and Hannah pulled out her wallet, paid the vendor, and they continued walking. Hannah’s stomach growled; Tess giggled.

“We should probably head back to your dad and see if he’s hungry.”

They found him seated at a table, playing with his phone.

“Hey, what did you two buy?” he asked.

Tess showed him the scarf and Hannah showed the T-shirt.

“So I guess you enjoyed yourselves?”

“We did.” Hannah looked at Tess for confirmation. At Tess’s nod, Hannah’s chest swelled. “But now we’re hungry…or at least I am.”

“I’m starved,” Tess said.

“Good, me too,” Dan said. “Let’s eat.”

Tess walked ahead to check out the food vendors. Dan pulled Hannah aside. “Thanks for the break.”

“Break? What break?” She winked at him. She wrapped her arm around his waist. Nothing else needed to be said.