Chapter 33 – Hannah
Another Monday, another surprise from Greyson Wilder. Since the coffee showed up last week, I’ve gotten multiple bouquets of white roses, chocolates of all kinds, and an entire basket of dog toys for Harley. Two new journals, one with the infuriatingly attractive man's face on it, the other with sea turtles. A bag full of candles and bubble bath, all in my favorite scents, along with some face masks and bath bombs.
This morning, the book I had told him about months ago and an iced coffee was sitting outside of my door, attached to a postcard of the beach with “meet me at 6, bring your book” and the address written on the back.
I don’t think I’ve smiled more than I have in the past week. I didn’t realize how observant he was; all the things I told him and forgot about had been left outside my door. Not once has he tried to come in or talk to me besides the thank you texts I send him.
At first, I appreciated that. Now, I want nothing more than to wrap him up in a hug and say thank you to his face. Which was his goal, I’m sure. Today, I’m working from home; I have meetings with my new counterparts from all over the country, meaning I can slowly roll into the workday.
Parking myself at the kitchen island, I pop my headphones in, open my new cowboy romance novel, and savor my coffee. I’m so caught up in their story that I don’t realize that, one, I’m crying, and two, Abby is standing right next to me. With a squeal, my book goes flying as my hand covers my mouth when my brain finally registers her presence.
I rip my headphones out and glare at the bac k of her head. “Good NIGHT, Abby, you scared the crap out of me.”
She wipes the tears from her eyes as she smiles at me, “What has you crying and dead to the world this early in the morning?” I feel my cheeks heat up, my eyes tracking my new book that’s now doubling as a floor decoration.
I pick it up and place it face-up on the counter; when she sees it, her face lights up. “Shut up! You got a copy of Hell or High Water ?!”
“Yeah, Greyson left it outside the door with a coffee this morning. I’m supposed to meet him at the beach tonight.”
Her smile is so big it looks borderline painful. “He’s really outdoing himself, huh?”
Immediate suspicion snakes up my spine. “What do you know?”
“Nothing. Can I borrow that when you’re done reading it?! Thanks, love you, bye!!!” She calls as she rushes out the door, very clearly trying to get out of my line of questioning. She’s never been good at hiding things from me. Had she stayed here for two more seconds, whatever plan they made would have been laid bare in front of me.
I’m giddy inside. The fact that someone has gone through this much trouble to show up almost daily for me, to put this much effort into making it known they care. It's like someone wrapped my heart up in a fuzzy blanket and handed it a hot chocolate.
I head into my first meeting with a smile on my face, and before I know it, the day is over, and I’m left sitting on my couch with my laptop on my outstretched legs. The current debate is, do I crack open my book and read some more, or do I go get r eady for tonight’s beach festivities?
My excitement gets the best of me, and I head to my room to get ready.
My anticipation quickly gives way to nerves as I park my car at the beach. I put it in park and take a few deep breaths. Is he here yet? It’s eight minutes to six, am I too early? Is it too late to go back home? What am I doing here? Am I getting my hopes up too high? What happens if I get out there and it all goes sideways? What if?... My thought spiral is quickly interrupted when there is a tap on my car window.
I jump a good eight inches out of my seat before my head whips toward the sound, revealing a six-foot-two Greek god of a man. On a regular day, he’s handsome, but right now. Holy smokes. He’s got one arm braced on the top of my car, his head bent down so he can see in my window, his other hand is tucked in the front pocket of his jeans, and there’s a smirk that has one side of his mouth pulled into a small smile. I swallow hard before I look up to meet his eyes, and well, I guess it’s too late to leave now.
“You gonna get out, Kitten?” The window muffles his voice, but it still lands like there’s no barrier between us. Slowly, I nod and reach for the door handle. Once it's cracked enough for him to get his hand wrapped around the frame, he pulls the door the rest of the way open. He leaned across my body, unbuckled my seatbelt, and then offered me the hand that was previously i n his pocket.
What is happening? I’m sweating and swooning all at the same time. “Did you bring your book?” He asks as I get to my feet in front of him.
“I did, it’s in my bag.” He looks back inside my car, eyeing my small backpack in the front seat.
“You’re not a purse girl, are you?” He chuckles, eyes full of mirth.
“I am not; thanks for noticing.” I quip. He leans across my front seat to grab the bag, giving me a view of that beautifully shaped hockey butt.
“Enjoying the view, Han?” Well, darn it, my situational awareness is not on point today.
“You know, I thought it’d be a bit rounder. I think you should do some more squats. Maybe some kickbacks; the top lacks a bit of that curve that really gets me going.” He stares at me for a second, clearly not expecting that answer. The heavens open when he laughs, and everything that’s felt wrong for the past month feels like a distant memory. I settle even more when his arms wrap around my shoulders and he pulls me into a hug.
Like nothing ever happened, my head goes to the middle of his chest as he rests his cheek on top of it. If I wasn’t so happy right now, I’m sure I’d be a blubbering mess because gosh darn it. I feel so safe here as if this is exactly where I was always meant to be. He pulls away too soon for my liking, grabbing my hand in the process and leading me toward the beach.
A gasp leaves my mouth as I see where we’re going. There’s a small cabana on this part of the beach, and it’s decked out with pillows, fairy lights strung around the frame, white curtains covering two sides for some privacy, and on the sides that a re open, there are lit candles framing the walkway, and the kicker. There are two white rose bushes covering one of the open sides. I look up at Greyson in awe. He looks nervous and I don’t know how he could possibly think anyone wouldn’t like this.
“Grey, this is beautiful. You did all this?” His throat bobs as he swallows, his shoulders relaxing a bit at the compliment.
“I did, Tate helped. It was actually his idea. He drew me a whole picture.” I’m sorry, what?! Tatum? Resident grump, Tatum? My jaw hits the floor in pure shock. “If I didn’t know him as well as I do, I’d be shocked too. He’s actually a hopeless romantic under that whole gruff exterior.”
“I would have never guessed. But wow, this is amazing.”
Closing the distance between us, I wrap my arms around his waist. Placing my chin right on his sternum so I can look him in the eyes when I say what I need to. “Thank you for everything you’ve done this past week. I’ve felt like a princess all week; you didn’t have to do that. But I appreciate it more than you know. I missed you.” His smile is slow, but it’s the kick that knocks down the last bit of my defenses.
“I did have to because you deserve the world, Hannah. And you’re right, I hadn’t done what I said I’d do.” He takes a deep breath as his eyes trace over my face. “I have a bit to make up for. I need you to know how much I care about you. I hope you’ll hear me out.” If my heart could sprout wings and fly away, it would. The amount of vulnerability and pain swimming in this man’s eyes knocks the wind out of me.
Grabbing his hand, I walk us over to where the pillows are spread out and sit, pulling him with me. I try to cross my legs and sit facing him, but he grabs my hand and pulls me into him, laying my head on his thigh so that I’m looking up at his face. “Hi,” I say shyly. He doesn’t smile, his eyes darting all over my face. He takes a deep breath as he brushes a piece of hair behind my ear.
“There’s only one thing in life I’ve wanted my whole life, almost as much as I want to help my team win a cup.”
Huh? I start to ask him what he’s talking about, and he just shakes his head at me, effectively making me shut my mouth. “I need to get this out, and I’m pretty sure you’re going to think it’s dumb, but it’s my reality.”
Sitting up, I look him in the eye, all traces of humor long gone, “I’ve told you once, Grey, and I’ll say it again. Nothing you go through is dumb. Just because it doesn’t hold as much weight to someone else doesn’t mean it’s not a ten-ton weight to you. Don’t belittle yourself just to make someone else comfortable.” He nods and pulls me back down to his lap. I settle in, promising myself I won’t interrupt him again.