Chapter 36
The rest of the summer raced by and before Hannah knew it, it was mid-August. She finished her book and the final quarter of it came out in a mad rush of ten-hour days where all her muscles ached as she hunched over in her chair, fingers flying on the keyboard as she tried to get all the words down as fast as they came to her. It was her favorite part of the writing process, that last downward slide where she picked up speed and clocked daily word counts she could only dream of at the start of a book.
Meditation tapes had become a part of her daily routine, too. By emptying her mind for a half hour at the beginning of the day, it seemed to turn on a creative tap and she got some great ideas for new storylines. By the time she finished the book, her mind was already whirling with a new plot and she was itching to get started on it.
She and Spencer spent quite a bit of time together, as well. They often went out as a foursome with Natalie and Adam and it felt comfortable and fun. They hadn’t crossed the line from friendship to romance yet, though Hannah had been tempted, but they both knew she wasn’t staying in Chatham and it didn’t make sense to start something. She definitely sensed at times that Spencer wanted more. But neither of them were ready to go there. People often assumed they were a couple, which Hannah found interesting, just because they were together often. And they were familiar with each other.
She knew Joy was hopeful that their friendship might turn into something more. But Hannah knew Spencer was never leaving Chatham so whenever the thought flitted into her mind, she banished it and got on with her day.
One night after dinner at the Impudent Oyster with Spencer, Natalie, and Adam, they walked across the street to the Squire to hear some live music.
A few seats opened up at the bar and Natalie and Hannah sat. Spencer ordered a round of drinks for them and it wasn’t long before two more seats opened up next to them. It was a band they all liked and they got there in time to catch the last two sets.
“How’s your friend Lucy?” Natalie asked. “Will she be coming back to visit this summer?”
“She’s great. I don’t think she will. She was hoping to, but her work has gotten so busy.”
“Well, it won’t be long before you’re back there, too,” Natalie said. “I will miss you, though.”
“I’ll miss you guys, too.” Hannah didn’t want the summer to end. She loved the city, but she was dreading leaving Chatham and her new friends behind.
“I can see why she’s your best friend,” Spencer said. He and Lucy had really hit it off. Spencer tended to be the quieter one in the group, usually listening and taking it all in, but Lucy had gotten him to open up. “I bet the two of you have a lot of fun there,” he added.
“We do. Meeting Lucy was the best thing about my first job there,” Hannah said.
After the next song ended, Hannah excused herself to visit the ladies’ room. When she was finished and washing her hands, a familiar face walked in and stopped short when she saw Hannah. It was Michelle. Spencer’s Michelle. The look she gave Hannah was a vicious one and took her by surprise.
“You live in New York, don’t you?” Her tone was cold and accusatory.
“Yes.”
“Just so you know, as soon as you leave, we’re getting back together. He was going to ask me to marry him.” Michelle stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Hannah. It was disconcerting and annoying to say the least. Especially as there was nothing going on with her and Spencer.
“We’re just friends, Michelle. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Michelle looked furious and hissed, “The sooner you leave, the better.”
Hannah had had more than enough. “Excuse me.” She walked by Michelle and opened the bathroom door. She couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
When she sat back down at the table, Natalie saw her face and immediately asked what was wrong.
“I just ran into Spencer’s Michelle in the bathroom.”
He frowned. “She’s not my Michelle.”
“Well, she thinks she is or that she should be.” She told them what Michelle had said and they all agreed that she was out of her mind.
“I’m so sorry, Hannah. I don’t know what she was thinking,” Spencer said.
“It’s okay. It was just bizarre. I’m leaving soon, so I doubt I’ll run into her again.”
“Actually, she is heading toward this table,” Natalie said.
Spencer turned to look and narrowed his eyes when he saw Michelle. Hannah had never seen him look so angry. Michelle saw it, too, and stopped in her tracks. The expression on her face shifted from determined to uncertain. She looked away and changed direction, walking out the door a minute later.
They all breathed a sigh of relief, especially Spencer. The band came back on for their last few songs and they ordered a final round for the table and enjoyed the rest of the evening.