Chapter 27 Lachlan
Lachlan
Lachlan passed Hannah her sketch pad over the bar.
“You got arts and crafts back there?” Deli leaned with her head in one hand, eyes shiny.
“I store her props for a small fee.”
She looked unfocused. “Can I get another drink, please?”
Lachlan tried to distract her. “You were great up there.”
“Don’t be mean to me.” Deli’s tone was joking, but her eyes weren’t.
“I thought you were,” he said, pouring another glass of water.
She took a sip and snarled her lip. “This isn’t booze.”
“Guess I’m a better backup singer than a bartender.”
“If I drink this, will you give me the boozes?”
He fought a smile. “Yes, if you drink that, I’ll give you the boozes.”
“Okay, booze man, watch and learn.” Deli took the water and started swerving back toward the couch.
“Watch and learn . . . how to drink water?” he called.
“I’m gonna be so hydrated you’re gonna have to pee!” She pumped her fist in the air and collapsed into the couch like she’d struck a mighty blow.
Deli’s water sloshed onto Mo’s leg as she gestured at Hannah. “What is she doing?”
Mo patted Deli’s knee. “Just watch.”
Hannah scanned the crowd. Everyone’s posture shifted and their attention went either straight to Hannah in hopes of being chosen or straight to the ceiling in hopes she’d pass over them.
She pointed one long, slender finger at Blair, who closed her wide brown eyes, smiling.
Hannah began to draw furiously, peeking over her paper only to observe her subject.
Lachlan saw the light of Deli’s phone glowing in her lap.
Her thumbs stopped moving, and her eyes flicked back and forth in the same pattern over and over.
A low drumroll began as Graham softly clapped on his legs, building up to the big reveal until Hannah spun the paper around.
She’d drawn a big, shaggy dog with a ball in its mouth.
Blair squealed and clapped her hands together, nodding furiously.
“We are Not Getting a Dog!” Andrew yelled.
“Why not?” demanded Blair. “I already clean up your fur every day!”
“You love my beard!”
Mo leaned toward Deli. “Hannah can tell what you want most. She can read your heart’s desire.”
Hannah was scanning the crowd again. Since the start of their Talent Show Nights, Lachlan had witnessed her divine deepest desires ranging from a sink clear of dishes to an Italian vacation—the latter eliciting a rare, coy grin from Cairn as he took in his slim form depicted in a tiny Speedo more befitting of his brother.
He’d even seen Hannah draw a small living room with a sofa full of faceless women gathered around the cozy fire.
Mo had dismissed his timid attempt to ask who Hannah had drawn in her cottage.
Lachlan glanced at the dusty photo of his family hanging on the wall. Just like Truth or Drink, he never played this game.
Hannah’s gaze snagged on Deli, and she frowned. Deli’s eyes went wide, and for some reason, Lachlan’s heart skipped a beat.
She stood. “Where’s the restroom?”
“It hasn’t moved since the last time,” Lachlan said, already moving to guide her.
“I was just testing you.” Deli narrowed her eyes at his approach. “I don’t need a fancy escort. I’m hot.” Deli shrugged off the jacket and balled it up as she thrust it toward him. “Can you hold this?”
He took it silently. “Deli, are—”
“I’m Fine,” she whisper-hissed, poking him in the chest with one angry little finger before disappearing into the restroom.
Lachlan took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. She was a very difficult person. He turned back to the room to find Hannah’s finger pointing squarely in his direction.
The blood drained from his face.
“I’m not playing,” he said.
But Hannah began to draw.