Chapter 19
Hannah
“I f I would have known going to the spa was this amazing, I would have done it a long time ago,” Lauren said as we sat in the quiet room of a day spa in Billings waiting for our pedicures.
It had been almost three weeks since Tanner and I had sealed our deal on my business, which I’d decided to name Glam Anywhere.
The business had proceeded at warp speed once we’d signed a contract.
Of course, that wasn’t difficult to do when someone had Tanner Remington as a partner.
He’d put an entire team of people on the office, the business structure, and the website development.
Surprisingly, he’d been personally involved in every step, and he hadn’t approved anything without getting my approval first.
My office was set up, all of the business details were done, and we were getting very close to launch.
I’d been working long days recruiting some basic contractors in the most important cities in Montana.
All of the structure was in place.
The most important things in my future were branding, bringing in new contractors, and advertising to make the business fly.
“This was all Tanner’s idea,” I reminded Lauren. “Personally, I thought I was way too busy to spend a day at the spa. But Tanner found out that I did a spa day on a routine basis in Seattle to manage my job stress. The next thing I knew, he’d arranged for us to go to a spa day because he thought I was working too hard.”
I’d balked at the idea, but Tanner hadn’t taken no for an answer.
Anna was out of town, or she’d definitely be with us today.
I had gotten closer to Lauren and Anna over the last three weeks, and I valued those blossoming relationships more than they’d ever know.
They’d both been so supportive of my new business.
Their expertise in economics, branding, and marketing were invaluable when I wanted to pick their brains for information.
Lauren let out a contented sigh. “I think it’s one of the best ideas Tanner has ever had. I already feel so much better since you started giving me your beauty advice, and this pushes my wellness right over the top.”
I turned my head and smiled at Lauren.
She looked amazing.
She had always been an attractive woman, even though she’d never saw that in herself.
Honestly, it wasn’t the makeup, new hair, or her weight loss that was actually making her glow.
It was the newfound confidence that she was radiating that made a difference.
That was the funny thing about wellness and feeling like you were the best version of yourself physically.
It helped boost your mental perception of yourself, too.
That was probably why I enjoyed what I did so much.
Genetics and the beauty a woman had gotten by the luck of the genetic draw wasn’t really important, but feeling like you were putting your best face forward could be life-changing for a woman. No matter what a woman had gotten in the genetic lottery.
“I’m a firm believer in spa days,” I told Lauren honestly. “Women don’t take the time for self-care in a world where they desperately need it, physically and mentally. It’s always been a mood booster for me.”
“I think I get that after today,” she said as she smoothed down her white spa robe and sipped at her water. “I think I’ll be a regular here now. That facial and the massage were amazing.”
She was right, and I was now thankful that Tanner had insisted on this spa day.
I’d forgotten what it was like to take care of myself.
I’d been too busy stressing over my mom and my future in Crystal Fork to even think about revisiting a spa.
“We’ll make a promise to remind each other that we need to do this,” I told her. “We’ll drag Anna with us next time.”
“She was bummed that she couldn’t come,” Lauren mentioned.
“I just feel bad that Tanner insisted on paying,” I said unhappily.
Lauren shot me a puzzled look. “Why? Tanner is richer than a god, and he really likes treating people to things they love.”
I shook my head. “I’m just so used to taking care of myself.”
Lauren let out an amused snort. “You haven’t realized that Tanner thinks he’s the caretaker of everyone he cares about? I’m used to taking care of myself, too, but you’ll eventually have to accept that Tanner is…Tanner. I gave up on that battle a long time ago. Since he became a billionaire, his favorite thing is to give everyone what he thinks they need, regardless of the cost. You’re lucky that he hasn’t bought you a house or a new vehicle yet. Yes, it’s exasperating at times, but I finally realized that it actually makes him happy. He feels like he’s doing something to help the people he cares about, and he expects nothing in return. I only argue with him now if it’s something extreme, like my new house. He’s still a little pissed off that I wouldn’t let him pay for it outright for me. But he’s done so much to help me in the past that I flatly refused. I make more than enough money to pay for it.”
“He’s always been generous,” I admitted. “Even when he wasn’t a billionaire.”
“Ha!” Lauren exclaimed. “You haven’t really seen his madness yet. He was just coming into his money when you two separated, and he was too obsessed with KTD to spend it. Let him do things for you sometimes, Hannah. It honestly does make him feel like he’s useful, and his only motivation is to make people happy.”
“He doesn’t have to give me things to be useful,” I argued. “He’s been by my side every step of the way in my new business.”
“You’re surprised,” she guessed. “It’s taking you a while to see how much he’s changed since that KTD obsession he went through.”
“It’s hard to get used to,” I said softly. “I think he’s more interested in helping me than furthering his own business interests right now.”
“You told me that you and Tanner wanted to start over being the people you are now,” Lauren said gently. “That’s the man he is now, Hannah, and has been for quite a few years now.”
“More like the old Tanner?” I questioned.
“More like the old Tanner on steroids,” she said with a chuckle.
“I kind of noticed that,” I confessed. “Tanner was always thoughtful during the majority of our relationship, but now I feel like he anticipates my needs before I do.”
Lauren nodded. “I swear he spends a lot of time thinking about what’s best for his loved ones. He’s scary observant now.”
He was, and it was almost unsettling.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like that kind of attention from Tanner, but I wasn’t used to it.
“Get used to it,” Lauren said like she’d been reading my mind. “Tanner takes care of the people he cares about, and I don’t think that’s going to change. And he’s pretty pigheaded about it, too.”
“He’s given me enough,” I informed her. “I couldn’t have started my new business without him, and he negotiated ridiculously stupid terms for a business tycoon. Since that deal, he’s dedicated his time and energy to Glam Anywhere, and he’s given me an obscene amount of things he thinks I’ll need.”
This trip to the spa was only one more thoughtful thing he’d done in a long line of thoughtful gifts.
Some of those things I’d needed, like an updated computer with plenty of storage and speed.
Some of the things he’d given me were definitely over the top, like a brand new mountain bike that was nicer than the one he had at his house.
I’d argued adamantly, but the big lug didn’t budge an inch when he really wanted me to accept something, so that bike was now stored at my apartment because he’d refused to take it back.
“You’ll get used to it,” Lauren said nonchalantly. “I’ve been a grown woman who can take care of herself for a long time, and he still shows up at my place with stupidly expensive things he thinks I need.”
“But you’re like a little sister to him, Lauren,” I reasoned. “That makes a lot more sense.”
She raised a brow. “Does it?” she questioned.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. “I’m just a previous love interest of his from years ago that he’s now…helping.”
“If you think that’s all there is to your relationship, you’re crazy,” Lauren said drily. “I’ve seen the two of you together. I’ve also seen the way he looks at you. Tanner is trying to gain your trust back, and I don’t think that’s just because he wants to be your lifelong friend or something. He’s biding his time until he knows exactly what you want from him.”
I sent Lauren a startled look.
Tanner hadn’t given me any reason to think he wanted anything more than we had right now.
Yeah, we’d talked about starting over in a relationship, but that amazing kiss we’d shared in Helena hadn’t been repeated.
We’d grown closer emotionally, and we’d gotten to know each other better, but he’d never given me a clue that he wanted anything more.
Unfortunately, it was hard for me to be around Tanner without wanting to get him naked, but I’d learned to squash those desires to the best of my ability.
That approach wasn’t working as well as I wished it would.
The more I got to know the man Tanner was now, the more I adored him.
“I think you’re crazy,” I muttered to Lauren.
“And I think you’re in denial,” she said with an amused chuckle. “Tell him you’re completely ready for a romantic relationship with him, and he’ll pull out all the stops to get you back. I think he’s just waiting until he thinks he’s made up for some of the crap he’s done to you in the past. I guess the question is…do you want him back, too? I have zero doubts about what Tanner wants. I’ve known him for a long time. He doesn’t talk about it to me, but he seems so happy when he’s with you, like he’s finally exactly where he wants to be.”
“We forgave each other for all of the things that happened in the past,” I told her. “We’ve started over.”
Lauren shook her head. “I don’t think he’ll let go of that until he knows that you trust him. That takes time.”
“We’re just getting to know each other again,” I said.
“I think it’s good that you’re taking your time,” Lauren replied. “He did hurt you, Hannah. I know you’re starting over, but those wounds needed time to heal. You needed to get to know Tanner again because he’s changed. But if you decide that you’re willing to trust him completely, you’re totally screwed. That man will do anything for you. I don’t think there’s ever been anyone for him but you, and he knows he took your relationship for granted. He’s not going to screw that up again if you give him another chance.”
“We can never go back,” I said earnestly. “I was a different woman seven years ago.”
Lauren took a deep breath. “I know I’m not a person who should be giving advice on relationships, but I know Tanner. He is like a brother to me. You’re right. Things would be different. You’re different people. But is that really a bad thing? You spent a lot of time sacrificing your own needs for Tanner’s ambitions back then.” She held up a hand as I started to object. “Hear me out. I know Tanner didn’t insist you do that, but you wanted to see him happy, and you willingly put a lot of his needs and wants first without much compromise. I honestly don’t think it would be all bad if you had something new and better than it was before. In fact, I don’t think Tanner will do it any other way now.”
I sighed instead of arguing.
In a lot of ways, she was correct.
I’d lost some of myself in our old relationship, which wasn’t Tanner’s fault.
It was mine.
“I let myself get caught up in his success,” I explained. “I wanted him to be happy.”
“I understand that,” Lauren answered. “You’re a giving person, Hannah, but it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. Let Tanner give back. I know he’s very willing and able to do that. Take what he’s offering and know that he wants to do it because he cares. It’s really just that simple. Take all the time you need to be sure of what you want. Believe me, Tanner is going to be there when and if you’re ready.”
I shook myself back to reality.
The truth was, Tanner hadn’t shown me anything but friendship since that night in Helena.
“I’m not sure that Tanner really wants a romantic relationship,” I said hesitantly.
“Because he hasn’t made a move on you?” she queried.
I nodded slowly.
“Anyone who knows him can see what he wants. Everyone except you. If you make one move to show him what you want, he’ll be all over that. I don’t think he wants to push you, but that man is getting desperate.”
I snorted. “Are you telling me to seduce him?”
“I don’t think you need to do that,” Lauren said drily. “Tell him you want him and that you trust him, and it’s over. No seduction necessary.”
“We’ve gotten close over the last few weeks,” I murmured. “I don’t want to screw that up.”
Tanner and I saw each other every day, on both a professional and a personal level.
We spent almost every evening together, and he made sure we left some time to play on the weekends. He’d insisted on it.
I cooked because I liked to cook.
He helped clean up.
We’d talked about anything and everything on those evenings and weekends together.
I’d gotten to the point where I longed to see his handsome face every day.
I wasn’t sure what I’d do if things suddenly changed for us.
I couldn’t say that we were dating.
But I couldn’t say that we were just friends, either.
Tanner and I were somewhere in between.
Was it really possible that Tanner was waiting for me to decide what I wanted?
Maybe?
In Helena, I had been a little uncertain about whether we could have a romantic relationship again.
I also remembered him mentioning that he was letting me decide if I was ready for that.
Lauren put a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think it’s possible for you to screw things up with Tanner unless you decide to start seeing someone else.”
I was about to tell her that would never happen when the nail technician arrived at the door of the quiet room to pick us up, abruptly ending our conversation.
Over the last few weeks, I knew I’d started to fall in love with Tanner Remington all over again.
Maybe there had never been anyone except Tanner Remington for me, either.