Chapter 69
W ard was still reeling as the reality of the situation sank in and the implications of it all came crashing down on top of him. Hannah was living in this very building, had been staying next door in P-2 this entire time.
Hannah was P-2. Not Courtney.
He had been spilling his guts to her over and over, and she in turn, had been baring her soul to him.
But now that he knew, and once he’d started to connect the dots, things started to make sense . . . the assumption that he was old-fashioned and curmudgeonly, the cat that had decided to make its home in both places, the ‘advice’ he had supplied in the guise of helping her win over a ‘difficult’ male associate.
Hannah though, was presumably still operating in the dark. She had no idea who was on the other side of their shared wall. Worse yet, she seemed to believe him to be in love with Shelley and had made plans to move out and who knows, maybe leave the city altogether.
Then, of course, the best part.
She’s fallen in love with me , he mused incredulously, unable to believe the words even as he kept reading them over and over. But Hannah didn’t know that she had it all wrong about Shelley either. Didn’t know that he was in love with her in return. Or that there was nothing more he wanted than to be able to tell her that.
Yet, if he revealed the truth and the crazy mistake they’d both made about each other’s identity, what would happen then? Wouldn’t she feel embarrassed? Maybe feel like he abused her trust, maybe even set out to deceive her on purpose. Manipulated even?
If he walked out his door right now and went next door to knock on hers without any warning or explanation, he would look like a stalker, just like Kendrick. Same if he took to lingering in the lobby, waiting for her either to leave the building or enter it. She was far more likely to be spooked than won over.
Ward swallowed hard, recalling with embarrassment the many times he’d approached next door, angry and annoyed over trivial, insignificant stuff and taking out his frustrations, causing Hannah additional grief on top of what she had to deal with day to day. He shook his head with frustration – what a self-centred ass he’d been. And to think that all this time he was trying to reach her, to explain about the shit he’d done, she had been mere steps away.
But if he was somehow given the chance, he swore he would make it all up to her and then some.
He needed to do this the right way though. He only had one shot. Especially when it seemed the clock was ticking.
Having considered various other angles and approaches, he figured there really was only one way. He glanced over at Pretzel. ‘To think that you’ve been squatting over there all this time, while I’ve been over here wondering how to get her attention …’
He could only surmise that the cat had been traversing between the decorative window ledge running along the front of the penthouse level and jumping in and out of the openings where possible, making herself at home wherever took her mood.
Ward knew what he was about to do was a major gamble, but he was hoping that Hannah’s curiosity and unfailing good nature would get the better of her.
‘OK.’ He exhaled, bracing himself for the slotshot of his life. ‘Here goes.’
P-2,
Firstly, I’m sorry to hear that you’re leaving. I honestly cannot even tell you how sorry. I know things haven’t always been smooth sailing with me, and that I’ve likely caused you a headache or ten since your arrival. For that I apologize, I truly am sorry – I would hate for you to leave and not know that.
Secondly, I know of the stray you’re talking about. You’re very kind to watch and worry about a pet that isn’t yours. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for it, no worries on that score. Believe it or not, I know a thing or two about cats.
I also agree that we have become unlikely friends and the fact that you went above and beyond to be kind and so nice to me when you’d surely been warned about my ways, says a lot about you and the type of person you are, decent, honest and considerate.
The world needs more people like you.
Also sorry to hear about your recent professional and personal struggles – and heartbreak especially. Truth be told, I’ve been facing the same thing myself – I’ve told you as much, but I’m beginning to feel hopeful.
I do in fact watch TV, and I believe I know what you’re talking about. If that’s what you’ve been dealing with, well, let me just say that your asshat ex got his comeuppance fair and square. And maybe worth mentioning that in my humble opinion, no man goes to bat like that for someone, unless he cares about her deeply too.
So I’m pretty certain your guy feels the same about you.
Could you maybe be looking at things the wrong way? Trust me, I’ve made a mistake like that before. Thinking that the person I love is with someone else, when the opposite is true.
Like you said, we have a lot more in common than we thought.
And you are right, your (former) client is going to be OK – professionally speaking. Removing the client label is the best thing that could happen.
You say I’ve given you good advice before – there’s a real chance I’m right this time, too.
In any case, considering all we’ve shared this last while, it feels wrong to not put a face to the name before you leave. If you feel up to it, maybe we could meet for a quick coffee?
Let me know if you’re open to it. Anytime tomorrow is good for me. You pick the place. Really doesn’t seem right to part ways without having the chance to truly say hello before we say goodbye?
Hope to see you soon,
P-1