Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
A lex
“Thank you for looking after her again.” I walked into the living room and poured a scotch.
“You’re welcome. How was Charleston?”
“It was draining.” I sighed, tipping the glass to my lips. “I was in back-to-back meetings all day with the planning commission for Athena Harbor.”
“I’ve barely seen you all week.”
“I’ve been busy, Hannah.” I tossed the amber liquid down my throat.
“I know. I just thought that?—”
“Thought what? You know how busy I am,” I spoke authoritatively.
“Yeah. I know you are.” She threw the empty food cartons in the trash and grabbed her purse. “Have a good night.” She walked out the sliding door.
I let out a sigh. I didn’t need her attitude. We would have issues if I didn’t set things straight right now.
“Did Hannah leave?” Lucy walked into the kitchen in her pajamas.
“Yes. But I forgot to tell her something.”
“Then go tell her. I’m going upstairs to Facetime Isabelle and Juliette.”
“Who’s Juliette?” I asked.
“A new friend.” She smiled.
I walked over to the guesthouse and lightly knocked on the door. When it opened, Hannah stood there, staring at me.
“We need to talk,” I said.
“Okay. Come in.” She moved out of the way.
“I don’t like the fact that you expect to hear from me,” I said, standing in the middle of the living room with my hands tucked into my pants pockets.
“Excuse me?” Her brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, but?—”
“You thought there was something between us? I told you that I don’t get involved in relationships. We’re not in one, so I’m unsure why you expected to hear from me.”
“Wow. What is going on here, Alex? Where is this coming from?”
“I’m a very busy man, Hannah, and I don’t need you expecting to hear from me just because we slept together a few times. I’m sorry if you think there’s something going on between us, but there isn’t. I have enough on my plate as it is.”
“You’re right. How silly to think that you were interested in me. The private helicopter to Charleston, the picnic in the park, walks on the beach, our talks, and the sex. Wow. I really am a fool.”
“You’re not a fool. I never should have?—”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have, and neither should I. You can go.” She folded her arms and looked down to hide the tears that filled her eyes.
I felt like the biggest bastard on the face of the earth, but it had to be done—for both our sakes.
“I’m sorry, Hannah.” I turned around and headed to the door.
“No, you’re not.”
I stopped, turned, and stared at her for a moment. Opening the door, I walked out.
H annah
I sat in the bathtub with my knees to my chest, sobbing. Once again, my heart was broken, but in a different way. I truly loved him, and it hurt worse than ever.
The following morning, I stumbled out of bed. Two hours of sleep, and I could barely function. After downing a cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would kick in fast, I showered and dressed. My eyes were red and swollen from all the tears, and no amount of concealer could hide the bags.
Just as I approached the shop, Luis pulled in next to me.
“Good morning, darling.” His bright and cheerful voice irritated me.
“Morning.” I unlocked the shop door.
“I came to get some flowers for the art gallery,” he said.
“Okay.”
“Hold on. What’s wrong?” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “He reached up and removed my sunglasses. “Oh, darling. What happened?”
“Alex told me last night that there’s nothing between us, and his plate is full enough.”
“Oh no.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. “That bastard.”
“Once again, I was blindsided, Luis. It’s my fault. I let it happen.” Tears streamed down my face.
“It’s not your fault, baby doll. The man has issues.”
“I’m done.” I pulled away. “Done!” I gripped the edge of the counter and lowered my head. “I promised myself a fresh start here. Oh my God, Luis. I can’t live in his guesthouse. I can’t see him every day. Being in that house, that bed. It’s all memories of him. What am I going to do?” The tears continued to fall.
“You’re going to hold your head up high. That’s what you’re going to do. You’re a strong woman, Hannah James.”
“You know what the worst part is?”
“What, darling?”
“Lucy and I talked last night. She apologized for her behavior and told me she doesn’t hate me.”
“Listen to me.” He gripped my shoulders. “You have this beautiful shop now and so many friends here. You will get through this. The best way to heal a broken heart is by immersing yourself into something else.”
“What is going on here?” Adalyn walked into the shop.
“Good morning, darling.” Luis smiled. “Your sister had her heart broken last night by Mr. Harbor.”
“Oh, Hannah. What happened? Why didn’t you call me last night?”
“Because I didn’t want to bother you.” I told her everything that happened last night.
“You wouldn’t have bothered me. You know I hate when you don’t come to me when you’re hurting.”
“I was going to tell you later today. Why are you here, anyway?”
“I wanted some flowers for the gallery.”
“Great minds think alike. That’s why I’m here.” Luis smiled.
“Listen to me. Alex is a jerk for saying what he did. But I think there’s more going on with him.”
“Like the fact he’s an asshole?” I said.
“Yeah, that too.” She smiled. “We’ll talk later. I have to get to the gallery. Today is Olivia’s first day back since having the baby. I love you.”
“I love you too, sis.”
Luis picked out an arrangement of roses in a vase from the cooler.
“These beauties will look gorgeous in the gallery. Head up, darling. I mean it. You’re a strong, independent woman. Do not let that crown fall.”
“Thanks, Luis.”
After he left the shop, Mary walked in five minutes late.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Only by five minutes. No big deal.”
“I use my phone as an alarm, and I forgot to plug it in last night to charge it, so it died.”
“Mary, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“You’ve been crying. Is everything okay?”
As we collected flowers to make more arrangements, I told her everything about Alex.
“I’m sorry, Hannah. You don’t deserve that.”
“Maybe I do. Maybe this is the universe punishing me for the way I treated guys back in the day.”
A lex
I stood in my office, staring out the window at the flower shop. My office door opened.
“Excuse me, Alex? There’s a Mr. Shaun Kind on the phone for you.”
“Thank you.” I took a seat behind my desk and picked up the phone. “Shaun?”
“Hello, Alex. It’s been a while.”
“If my memory serves me right, the last time we spoke was when you came to Chicago last year.”
“Sounds about right, my friend. Anyway, I heard you packed up and moved to Harbor Falls. I’m sorry about your mother.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“You remember my friend, Asher Remington, right?”
“I do. Great guy.”
“We heard you’re building a new town outside of Harbor Falls.”
“I am.”
“Are you looking for new capital?” he asked.
“I’m always looking for new capital. Why?”
“Let’s just say we’re both interested in seeing what this town of yours has to offer.”
“Well, why don’t the two of you come out here, and I’ll present the plans to you.”
“We were hoping you’d say that. We’ll fly out next week. Do Rosie and Carl still own the bed and breakfast?”
“They sure do. I can call her and reserve two rooms.”
“Excellent. We’ll bring our wives and turn it into a mini vacation.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you next week, Shaun.”