Page 77 of After You

The irony of that was not missed on her. Not only that it made her feel powerful—or like she could risk trying to be powerful anyway—because Kyle would be there to back her up. But also that she was here now feeling something she hadn’t before…because he was being exactly who he’d alwaysbeen.

Kyle was the rock. The rock. Everyone’srock.

And if she’d learned anything over the past three years, it was to cling to the things that were steady and solid because life, the universe, and everything could shift and change in the blink of aneye.

Speaking of blinking eyes—suddenly Hannah was blinking back tears. She gave him what she was sure was a wobbly smile. “I was thinking that in private there could be a lot less pushing.”

He did that thing again where a simple curl to his mouth made her stomach swoop.

“But I really want to push you, Hannah,” he said, the huskiness in his voice sending an arrow of need straight through hercore.

“Youdo?”

“I do. I want to push every button and every boundary you’vegot.”

“Yes,” she breathed. She shook her head. “This is so…different forus.”

“I know.” But he didn’t seem apologetic.

Which was good. Because she so didn’t want him to be sorry for any of it. “And yes,” she said, “let’s do some pushing.”

He gave her a wink, and she felt her heart, her stomach, and pretty much everything else flip. And maybe fall a little. She felt it. It was familiar. But she hadn’t expected to feel it here. Not because Kyle wasn’t fall-worthy. Not at all that. But because she didn’t know she could fall again. Or further.

“But let’s go to Hope’s first.” He started down the sidewalk again towardMain.

“Wait, what?”

“The massage oil. That could really help your neck, right?”

“But…” Well, yeah, it could. And she did want to give him an education about some of the alternative health options. If Hope was knowledgeable and right here in Sapphire Falls, Kyle needed to know about what she had to offer. And Hannah was curious. “Okay,” she agreed, falling into step besidehim.

And she kept her hand in his. Sure, she was technically supposed to be pulling away, but no one had driven or walked by, so she was going to enjoy it as long as she could.

A little bell tinkled overhead as they stepped into Hope’s shop a few minutes later. The aroma, of course, was the first thing that made an impression. The air was scented with lavender, cinnamon, sage, lemon, sandalwood, and dozens of others. Hannah knew it could be overwhelming at first, but she filled her lungs with the air and sighed happily.

Kyle gave her an amused and slightly affectionate look. “I like that sound.”

“I like making it,” she returned.

“Challenge accepted.”

She wanted to respond—by pulling him in for a hot kiss—but just then a woman with pale blonde hair with purple streaks came through the curtain that covered the doorway behind the counter. “Hi,” she said brightly. She gave Kyle a big smile then looked back at Hannah. “You must be Hannah.”

Hannah laughed. “Hi, Hope, it’s nice to meetyou.”

“I was wondering when you were going to stop by. If it wasn’t soon, I was going to send a thank-you gift to your grandmother’s for you.” Hope came around the counter, and Hannah took in the picture of one of the women in Sapphire Falls who, by all accounts, was delightful and fit right in, but who was nothing like a “regular” Sapphire Fallsgirl.

She was average height and build, with long hair and big green eyes and an easy smile. But she was dressed in a billowy white top and wore multiple rings and bracelets that tinkled as she moved. She also wore a multicolored wraparound skirt that fell to her ankles. And she was barefoot. She gave off a very hippie vibe, and Hannah liked her immediately.

“A thank-you gift?” Hannah asked.

“I’ve had more business in here since you’ve been back than I’ve had in the last six months put together,” Hope said with a grin. “This is a very part-time, just-for-fun mostly thing for me anyway, but it’s been so nice to have new faces in the door, asking questions and trying new things.”

“And you’re thanking me for that?” Hannah asked. Then it dawned on her. “Oh, you mean Albert and Conrad and Frank?” She was glad they’d stopped in to check out some of the oils she’d talked to them about.

“Oh them, and most of their friends, and Albert’s girlfriend and her best friend and daughter, and Frank’s granddaughter, and Conrad’s sister’s card club.” Hope gave Hannah a wink. “You’ve stirred up a lot of curiosity.”

“I’m so glad,” Hannah told her sincerely. “I’m a big believer.”

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