Page 9 of The Valentine Agenda

As James packed up his laptop, he caught another glimpse of Hannah. She was now helping a young mother manage a stroller through the front doors, cooing at the baby while holding the door open. Such a natural caretaker. Such an obvious contrast to Vanessa's sleek sophistication.

Some people walk into your life exactly when you need them to, Vanessa's Instagram caption echoed in his mind. Well, Hannah had walked into his lobby at exactly the right moment. The fact that she had no idea she was about to become a pawn in his game was irrelevant.

After all, he was James Park. He didn't lose—not deals, not face, and certainly not to Trevor Martinez.

And if Hannah got a nice dinner and a taste of his world in the process? Well. No harm done.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hannah

"So," Sophie said, sprawled across Hannah's couch, "we need to do something for your birthday next month."

Hannah concentrated on updating Mr. Thompson's medical calendar, carefully noting his upcoming appointments. "About that. I was thinking we could skip it this year."

"Skip your—Hannah." Sophie sat up. "You threw Mrs. Peterson a surprise tea party. Complete with those little sandwiches you spent two days making."

"That was different. She's been feeling down since her sister moved away."

"You organized a birthday brunch for the building supervisor's daughter."

Hannah added another note to the calendar:Remind Mr. T about cardiology follow-up. "She's twelve. Twelve is important."

"You somehow got James Park's dry cleaner to deliver his shirt wrapped in birthday paper."

Hannah's hand stilled on the calendar. "I'm not even sure if he noticed that," she murmured. "He never said anything, anyway." She felt a twinge of embarrassment. She wasn't sure if he had ever really noticed her. "Anyway, I was thinking we could use that evening to help Mr. Thompson organize his medical records. His new specialist wants—"

"No." Sophie closed her laptop with a snap. "You don't get to schedule someone else's needs during your birthday."

"I'm not—"

"You've organized something for nearly every resident in this building. You know everyone's birthday, favorite cake, and dietary restrictions. Hell, you even remember their grandchildren's birthdays."

"Mr. Thompson's appointment is important," Hannah protested weakly.

"So are you." Sophie's voice softened. "Why is it so hard for you to let people celebrate you?"

Hannah stared at the calendar, at all the carefully noted appointments and reminders. At all the ways she kept herself busy taking care of others. "I just... don't need anything special."

"You spent three hours decorating the community room for Mrs. Chen's bridge club party. With paper lanterns. That you made yourself."

"She mentioned once that she missed the lantern festivals from her childhood—"

"Hannah." Sophie moved to the table, gently taking the calendar from her hands. "You remember everyone's offhand comments, their favorite cakes, their unspoken wants. But when was the last time someone asked what you wanted?"

The question hung in the air between them. Hannah thought of James in the lobby that morning, how he'd walked past without seeing her, while she noticed everything about him.

"I like taking care of people," she said finally. "It's not a big deal."

"I know you do. And you're amazing at it." Sophie squeezed her hand. "But you know what else isn't a big deal? Letting your best friend celebrate you. Just once. No medical calendars allowed."

Hannah opened her mouth to protest, to mention Mr. Thompson's upcoming appointments or Mrs. Peterson's book club schedule or any of the dozen other tasks she used to keep herself busy.

"Please?" Sophie added. "Let me do this one thing for you?"

Hannah looked at her friend's hopeful face, then at the calendar full of other people's needs. "Maybe... just something small?"

"Just something small," Sophie agreed, but her eyes sparkled with plans Hannah pretended not to notice.

---