Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
H annah
I spent the morning looking at homes with Gloria, the realtor. The problem was that I invested everything into the shop and had nothing left to buy a house. I didn’t want to live in an apartment, but I felt I had no choice.
“You can live with us,” Adalyn said as she and Luis hung a new art piece on the wall.
“I’ve imposed on you and Colin enough. Besides, I need my own space, and the two of you need privacy. I have to go.” I smiled, kissing her cheek. “I’m meeting Gloria at the shop, and she’s handing over the keys.”
“Ah, I remember those days.” Adalyn smiled. “We’ll celebrate tonight.”
I walked around the block to my new shop, where Gloria was already waiting for me.
“Oh my gosh, I hope I’m not late.” I checked my watch.
“Not at all. I was early. Would you like to do the honors?” She dangled the shop’s key in front of me.
“Of course.” I grinned.
Taking it from her hand, I stuck it into the lock and opened the door. Stepping inside, I inhaled a sharp breath, knowing this was all mine.
“Congratulations, Hannah. I’m thrilled this is going to be a flower shop again. In fact, I will be your very first customer.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Gloria. This feels really good.”
“I have to run. Let me know what you decide about that apartment.”
“I will. Thank you.”
The problem with the apartment was that it was a thirty-five-minute drive from the shop, while Adalyn’s house was only a ten-minute drive. I wanted to be close to the shop, but I guess it wasn’t in the cards.
As I stood in the empty shop, visualizing, my phone rang. Pulling it from my purse, I saw it was Alex. This was the first time I’d heard from him since that day in the art gallery three days ago.
“Hello.”
“Hi. I’m standing on the street looking in the window of an empty shop, and I see this beautiful woman there, all alone. I was going to walk in, but I didn’t want to scare her.”
I turned, and a bright smile crossed my face when I saw him standing outside in front of the large, picturesque window.
“Come on in.”
“I love what you’ve done with the place.” He grinned, stepping inside.
“Thank you. I do believe it’s some of my finest creative work.” I laughed.
“Have dinner with me tonight.” His eyes stared into mine.
“I’d love to. What about Lucy?”
“Lucy is being occupied tonight by Annie and Jerry. Annie invited her over to her house, and she’s going to teach her how to bake.”
“Sounds fun. Unfortunately, baking isn’t something I can do without burning everything I put in the oven, except a pineapple upside-down cake.”
“That’s okay.” He chuckled. “That’s why we have an Annie. If it makes you feel better, I can’t bake either. You’re staying with your sister and Colin, right?”
“Yes, I am.”
“If you give me their address, I’ll pick you up at five thirty if that’s an acceptable time.”
“Five-thirty is great. I’ll text you the address right now.”
“Excellent.”
“How should I dress?” I asked, unsure of where he was taking me.
“Do you have a cocktail dress?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“I have several.”
“Then choose one. Where I’m taking you does have a dress code.”
“Sounds fancy, Mr. Harbor.”
“It is.” He winked. “I’ll see you later.”
My belly was all over the place as I watched him leave the shop. Letting out a breath, I placed my hand over my heart to try and calm it down. What the hell was going on with me?”
“ H ow do I look?” I asked Adalyn as I stood in the full-length mirror in my bedroom.
“Perfect as always.”
Colin walked in and whistled. “Looking sexy, Miss James.”
“Thanks, Colin. Don’t make me any more nervous than I already am.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about. Alex is a good man.”
“Let’s see.” Adalyn placed her finger on her chin. “The last time you spoke to and saw him was when?”
“When I was seventeen. We kept in contact for about a year after he left. Then, college happened, and we lost touch.”
The doorbell rang, and the butterflies in my belly awoke.
“Oh God. He’s here.” I bit my bottom lip.
“Don’t do that. You’re going to get lipstick on your teeth,” Adalyn said.
“I’ll go let him in, and then you can make your grand entrance.” Colin winked.
“What is wrong with you?” Adalyn’s brows furrowed. “I’ve never seen you like this with a guy before.”
“I don’t know! I’m just really nervous for some reason.”
“Well, stop it. You don’t want him to know that. You’re a strong, confident woman, and he’s just another guy. There’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s just dinner.”
I inhaled a deep breath and walked down the stairs. His eyes met mine, and a smile crossed his face.
“Wow. You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.” I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.
“Have fun, you two. Make sure you have her home before her curfew.” Colin grinned.
“Knock it off, Colin. Don’t listen to him, Alex.” Adalyn smiled.
My skin shivered when I felt his hand on the small of my back as we walked out the door and to his car parked in the driveway. He led me to the passenger’s side and opened the door like the gentleman he was.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
“So, where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” A handsome smile crossed his lips as he put on his aviator sunglasses and pulled out of the driveway.
He drove us outside of town and to a landing strip, where I saw a helicopter sitting.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said. “The restaurant we’re going to is in Charleston, and it’s quicker by helicopter.”
“I’ve never been in a helicopter before,” I nervously spoke as he opened the passenger door and held out his hand.
Placing mine in his, he gently squeezed it. “Don’t be nervous. You’ll be safe. I promise.”
“Good evening, Mr. Harbor.”
“Good evening, Lawerence. Is everything ready?”
“We’re all set, sir.”
Alex helped me onto the chopper, and before I knew it, we landed in Charleston.
“What did you think?” he asked, smiling.
“It was fun.” I grinned.
We climbed into the back of a limo, which took us to the restaurant.
“Wow,” I said, stepping inside.
“I told you it was fancy,” he whispered in my ear.