Tonight feels like one of those unexpected, best things.
25
ball cocks and middle fingers
Rowan - now
Hannah spinsthe pizza box and pulls back the lid. “My treat.”
I glare at the food, then at her. She’s lucky she’s so cute.
“One time. This happens one time and never again,” I retort, pointing at the meal I didn’t pay for. The one she ordered while I was in the bathroom so I couldn’t fight her over the bill.
It’s late afternoon now, and we haven’t stopped talking. And laughing. And flirting. And touching. Me, brushing a hand over her lower back when she passes by. Her, poking my ribs when she teases me. Me, massaging her shoulders when I catch her rubbing a sore spot on her neck. Her, clearing a splatter of paint from my cheeks.
“Oh calm down, soldier. I owe you like three hundred dollars from that night.”
I swallow down a bite. “A, you don’t owe me anything. Two, even if you did, the past five years more than makes up for it. And D, stop it.” I toss the crust into the box only for her to swipe it for herself.
“Okay, A, I heard yourHome Alonereference and I approve this message.” My lips lift. “Two, I didn’t spend time with Norm to even the score, and it’s really important to me you know that. And D, you’re not the boss of me.”
Hannah smiles like she’s up to no good, pizza crust hanging halfway out of her mouth. I want to kiss that mouth.
“I really hope you were this much of a smartass with Pops.”
She polishes her nails on her chest. “He got some of my best work. Your nana may have been the love of his life, but he and I were made for each other. Remember, I called that on day one.”
My heart clenches, face softening. “How could I forget?”
Our eyes catch and we’re back on that dock. Her hand in mine like tomorrow isn’t a factor and we’re staring up at the stars silently wondering how the hell any of this happened.
She swallows. “How was the funeral? I wish I could have been there.”
My brows knit together as I process her question. “Oh…um…I—I didn’t?—”
“You didn’t know I was spending time with him. I’m not blaming you for not inviting me. I promise.”
“No, it’s not that.” I shove a hand through my hair. “I…uh…there wasn’t a funeral.”
Her face falls, and she looks so disappointed it obliterates me. “Oh, can I ask why?”
“Well, I kind of thought he would’ve hated the idea, and I didn’t know of anybody that would show up if I planned one.”
When the funeral home asked about a possible memorial service, all I could picture was me, alone, standing in front of his flag-draped coffin. The image made my stomach churn.
“I just planned to scatter his ashes in the lake before I head back home.”
Hannah nods thoughtfully. “Yeah, I get it.” The look on her face says she doesn’t.
She excuses herself to the bathroom before I can pry her thoughts free. When she finds me in the kitchen a few minutes later, her presence in the doorway stops me in my tracks.
Hands fidgeting at her sides, her eyes are red-rimmed and puffy. It’s the earnestness in her gaze that damn near breaks my heart though.
“Rowan?” My name rolls off her tongue, a question I’m already willingto say yes to.
“Yeah?”Ask me anything.
“Will you go with me somewhere tomorrow?”