Page 61 of Die For Me

“I want all three of us to go on a date.”

Fuck.

“I think we all need to spend more time together. All of us. Otherwise you two will just quietly hate each other while you pass each other in the hall,” she explained further, as if that would make any difference.

This was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had to cooperate. It would be easier for her to believe Jack’s death wasn’t my fault if I did.

I put my hand to her thigh and nodded. “Okay, baby. Whatever you think is best.”

She laughed as if I had just made a joke. I didn’t care; seeing Hana laugh was my favorite thing in the world.

“That was way too easy.” She shook her head at me. “What do you have planned, huh?” she teased.

If she only knew.

“All I really plan to do is bend you over this couch so I can spank you for rolling your eyes at me.”

Her eyes filled with lust. I loved the effect I had on her—getting her excited just by talking dirty to her. She quickly stood and slowly backed away from me, a smile creeping on her face.

“Before you can distract me, I’m going to get ready so we can all go out.” She turned on her heels and ran up the stairs.

I couldn’t help it—I started chasing her. She squealed with delight as she realized I was inching closer to her, her little legs not nearly long or fast enough to outrun me. Her blonde hair swayed behind her, flying across her shoulder as she looked back at me with an excited grin. Jack opened his door as we passed his room in the hallway, and I caught up to her and lifted her from behind, her squeal quickly turning into laughter.

“You win, you win.” She tapped on my forearms, out of breath from laughing.

I eased her down as I smelled her hair, not quite letting her go yet; I wanted to bask in her happiness forever. It made me feel normal.

“Does this mean we’re going out?” Jack asked, irritation clear in his voice.

I sighed as I let go of Hana and closed my eyes, trying not to let his presence ruin everything. She turned around and put her hands to my arms, holding on for balance as she looked at Jack over my shoulder.

“Yes. Get ready.” She laughed, then looked up at me.

I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was so bloody beautiful. I started to doubt myself and my plan; she wouldn’t be the same without Jack here. It was obvious that he brought out some carefree, cheerful version of Hana that I didn’t see often.For some reason, she loved him all too intensely. Did I want to ruin her happiness? Could she get past it? I worried that she might have loved him more than I thought. What if she never recovered from his death? What if it made her want to die as well?

She looked up at me as she pulled her brows together, concern clear in her eyes. “What are you thinking, baby?”

I gave her a small smile and shook my head. “Nothing, babe. Go on, get ready.” I kissed the top of her head and let go before I walked into my room.

“Hey,” she called behind me.

I turned, and she stood at the doorway, hands on her hips. She was so cute when she tried to look tough.

“Really? What’s wrong?”

I forced a smile. I had to pull myself together. “You just make me so happy, Hana. I can’t believe we get to be together again.”

She bit her lip and looked like she was going to cry. She slowly walked toward me and put her hands to my cheeks, searching my face as if the words were all over my face.

“I love you.” Her voice was almost a whisper, and she looked as if she was torn inside as well.

“I love you too. More than you’ll ever know.”

Hana

Michael and Jack seemed to be in their heads lately. I knew they were struggling with this, and I needed to do something about it before it all imploded. Suggesting a date night seemed harmless enough. Maybe even having a couple drinks could loosen us all up. Of course, if Michael let me.

My boys were so vastly different—it was obvious by their date night outfits of choice. I walked down the stairs and eyed Michael sitting on the couch in his black jeans, brown suede boots, and brown polo shirt, completing his look with a silver watch. I spotted Jack on the downstairs patio on his phone. He wore black jeans, black boots, and a very well-loved, worn-in band T-shirt. I wouldn’t change a thing about either of them.

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