Page 86 of The Perfect Secret

Despite her anger, Hannah smiled. “Hey, Tess. I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Wait, what are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to your dad.”

Tess’s face brightened. “Are you two getting back together?”

Hannah shook her head. “No, sweetie. But I need to talk to him. Is he here?”

“He went to a meeting and he’s not back yet.”

Hannah paused. The meeting ended an hour ago. Disappointment flooded her. She’d finally gotten up the courage to confront him, and now she’d have to wait for another time.

“Do you want me to have him call you?” Her face was eager.

“No, I’ll try him another time.” She wouldn’t involve Tess in this. “It was good to see you, though, Tess.”

“You too, Hannah. I miss you.”

She gave Tess a hug. “I miss you too.” With a sigh, she left.

Outside of her apartment, she searched her purse for her keys. As the cab pulled away, she looked up and dropped her purse.

Dan stood on the sidewalk under a streetlamp outside her building.

The evening chill did nothing to prevent sweat from dotting his brow. Cold brick dug into his back through his wool coat and his leg stiffened as he stood outside and waited for her.

Leaving the meeting without talking to Hannah was the latest in an endless string of acts of cowardice, which began with his addiction and ended with leaving the meeting. But his cowardice would end, because tonight he would tell Hannah everything.

He’d never been so scared in his life. Well, maybe that one time with Tess.

He’d started to shake when Sylvia and Jeff got out of a cab, but calmed down when he realized Hannah wasn’t there. His heart dropped to his toes. He’d frozen against the wall, unsure of what to do next.

“She went to your apartment,” Jeff said, after he told his grandmother to go inside.

“What?”

“You’re Dan? She went to your apartment.”

“But I’m not there.” His reactions were slow and he wanted to smack himself upside the head for his stupid response.

“Clearly.” Jeff smiled. “She’ll be back.”

“I’ll wait.”

“Probably the smartest decision you’ve made, other than coming to a meeting.”

“She’ll never forgive me.”

“I used to think that too.”

Dan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A pat on the arm made him open them again. He was alone on the sidewalk.

Now, Hannah stood in front of him, the streetlight turning her hair a beautiful deep red color his fingers ached to touch.

Her purse dropped onto the pavement. He stepped forward to help.

“Don’t.”

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