53. Hannah
CHAPTER 53
HANNAH
“ S o, Hannah, we’re gonna need all the details on how this weekend went,” Caroline says, a minute after I slide into our booth at Maracas on Monday.
“Yeah, please, tell me y’all spent the weekend naked after everything the two of you have been through,” Margaret teases, causing Caroline and I to laugh.
“Well, in case you both have forgotten, I still have a farm to manage, so we did have to tend to the animals, but I will say it was still a pretty great weekend.”
“I bet,” Margaret teases before adding, “I also heard you and Will were the main topic in both of the STS blasts this weekend.”
“Welcome to my world,” Caroline teases. “If I had a dollar for every time Miss Sally and Miss Ethel included something about the fire chief, I’d be able to retire.”
We all laugh at that before I respond, “Yeah, I heard, but there’s no real surprise there. I just can’t believe this is really working out after all this time.”
“Believe it, Han,” Caroline says, leaning over to grab my hand. “You know we’ve always said ‘brighter days ahead.’ It looks like you finally found yours.”
I smile at the mention of our phrase, and nod in agreement.
“I’m happy for you both.” Margaret sighs. “But it looks like I’ll be the only one not getting any around here from now on.”
“Oh, Marg, we both know you’re gonna find someone,” Caroline encourages. “You’re hot, funny, and you can cook. I mean, clearly some guy is gonna be lucky as hell to snag you one day.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. I guess it’s for the best. Once Seth wraps up the finishing touches of the bakery over the next few weeks, I’ll be working like crazy.”
“Okay, that may be true, but I still think that you and Seth could be something,” I say, as Caroline nods in agreement.
“I’m pretty sure you just want to know if the rumors about those piercings are true,” Margaret teases, referring to the triple dick piercings Seth got after he lost a bet last year.
“You know, I may’ve read a few books about that, and I can’t say I’m not curious. I mean don’t get me wrong, I’m completely in love with your brother, and I’m not looking to try out anyone else’s cock, but you should totally try it out and report back.”
We all laugh at that and pause to take sips of our drink. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I smile when I see a text from Will.
WILL: Leroy and I miss you. How long until you’re home?
HANNAH: I guess I miss my boys too. I’m not sure. At least an hour or two.
I tuck my phone away and reach out to snag a chip as Caroline asks, “So, Marg, how’s the pop-up at Deer Valley going? Still a success?”
Margaret’s eyes light up at the mention of her business. “It’s been so incredible. I can’t believe how busy I’ve been. I didn’t have a ton of expectations when Brian mentioned it, but it’s made me even more excited to get my storefront open.”
“That’s awesome! Pretty sure Gramps is counting down the days too,” I tease, feeling my phone vibrate again.
WILL: Turns out I couldn’t wait that long.
I read his text twice, feeling the confusion on my face at his words. I’m about to type out a response when I hear a familiar voice behind me.
“So, you ladies come here often?”
All three of us turn to see Seth, Will, and Theo making their way over to our table.
“Oh my gosh, you three are not allowed to crash our girls’ night!” Caroline says with an eye roll, before reaching out to grab Theo’s hand to pull him down for a kiss.
“Just this once I think y’all can make an exception,” Will says, sliding into the booth and wrapping his arm around me.
I lean over and kiss him before asking, “So did you boys finally create a group chat without us to plan this.”
Seth smiles from where he’s sitting across from us. “We sure did. We decided we’re done letting y’all have all the fun.”
We all laugh at that as the waitress comes over and places another round of margaritas in front of us. The boys reach for them, but Margaret, Caroline, and I make eye contact before we all snatch them for ourselves at the same time.
“Sorry, boys, but you crashed our night. The least you can do is be our designated drivers,” Caroline says, taking a long sip of her peach-flavored drink.
“Fine,” Theo says, ordering water for him and the other boys.
“Since you boys wanted to join girls’ night, you also have to listen to our gossip,” Margaret declares before saying. “But, I was about to tell you before we were interrupted—I’m pretty sure Mayor Brian and the new event planner are dating. Her name’s Millie. I met her last week in the coffee corner and she’s really sweet. But as you’d expect, Deer Valley’s going crazy with rumors.”
“I’ve heard something about that,” I tell them, leaning in to rest on Will’s arm. “But isn’t she leaving next week after the holidays?”
“No one knows,” Margaret says with a shrug. “I guess we’ll have to see.”
The six of us spend the next hour making small talk, sipping on our margaritas, and snacking on the appetizers we ordered for the table. Finally, Seth points out that it’s nearly nine o’clock and we groan at the reminder that we all have to be at work in the morning.
We all stand as Margaret says, “You know, it’s gonna be kinda weird not having a football game to go to this week? I’m pretty sure there’s been one every week since we moved into town.”
“You’re right,” Theo says, pulling Caroline into his arms. “It seems like we’ve been here a lot longer than six months. But I can think of several things we can do to fill our free time, can’t you, Sunshine?”
We all laugh as Margaret pretends to gag at his statement. “That’s my cue to leave. Seth, you mind driving me back to the apartments? I can’t listen to this any longer.”
“Sure, ready when you are,” Seth tells her.
We all walk to the parking lot, saying our goodbyes before Will and I make our way over to his truck. He helps me in, and I smile as he leans in to kiss me before closing the door and coming around the truck to sit in the driver’s seat.
“You okay?” he asks, reaching over to grab my hand as he pulls out on the county road that leads to Falling Oaks. “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”
“Oh, no. I’m okay. I’m just thinking about how this all feels too good to be true,” I admit. “I mean, this is basically everything I’ve ever wanted, and I can’t help but feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“I get it,” Will says reassuringly. “But, Han, we’ve fought like hell for this, and we deserve to be happy. Everything was broken for so long between us, and it’s hard to accept that everything’s suddenly all okay again. But I’ve thought about it, and I think this is why we break. We needed time apart to realize exactly what we meant to each other so we never take what we have for granted. But I spent the last seven years missing you, and I don’t plan to ever spend another day without you by my side.”
I take in his words, feeling some of the tightness in my chest immediately lift. “God, I love you.”
“I love you too, Han,” he says, squeezing my hand before adding. “Now, let’s get home because we still have seven years to make up for, and I don’t think I’m ever gonna have enough of you. Not to mention, we have the neediest little cow and piggy that are gonna want some cuddles when I’m done fucking you.”
I smile at that, before whispering, “You know, I can’t think of a better way to end the night.”