Page 76 of Keeping You

“I’m so glad we could do this,” he says as he leads us inside.

The party spills out into their large backyard. Tables covered in white linens and food line the edge of the grass. Just to the right of the back door is a bar, with a young-looking bartender serving drinks. Opposite him is a table stacked with gifts.

With my hand on her lower back, I guide Hannah outside. Her mother spots us immediately and comes over, pulling Hannah into a hug. The fake energy radiates off Lauren. It’s so practiced that most people can’t even tell it’s fake, but after seeing the last interaction Hannah and her had, I can seethrough it. I don’t know how Hannah has dealt with her for so long, but I promise myself I’ll stand by her and make sure she doesn’t need to face her alone.

When she releases her, she turns her fake smile to me. “Oh, Grayson. It’s so nice to see you again. I’m glad you could make it. When Hannah said you couldn’t because of work, I was so disappointed.” She shoots Hannah a look of disapproval that grates every one of my nerves.

I wrap an arm around Hannah’s waist and pull her in close. She doesn’t resist, her body moulding to mine perfectly.

“Well, when Hannah mentioned it, I knew I couldn’t send her on her own, so a little power nap after my long overnight shift and here we are. Hannah was just being an understanding wife when she said I couldn’t make it. She knows just how hard the overnight shifts are, especially on the weekend. I appreciate her for it.”

Lauren’s lip purse for a second before returning to her practiced smile as she tries to hide her distaste for me standing up to her.

“Well, either way, I’m glad you’re here. We should really get you mingling with people, so we can get started,” she says.

“Oh, we’re still waiting for people, we can’t truly get things started without them,” I say, and the joy I feel at the look that flashes across Lauren’s face is indescribable.

“What do you mean you’re waiting for people?” she asks, her voice barely hiding her displeasure.

I kiss Hannah’s temple and squeeze her hip before saying, “Oh, since this is supposed to be a party celebrating our marriage, we thought it only appropriate we have some of the people that mean the most to us here. My family couldn’t make the trip on such short notice, but we did get to enjoy a week with them, so they’re okay with that.”

Just as I finish, I see Josh and Liv walk into the backyard with baby Cate, followed by Matt.

“Speaking of which, some of them have arrived. Please excuse us as we mingle.” My hand moves to the small of Hannah’s back as I guide her towards our friends.

When we’re out of earshot of her mother, Hannah leans in and whispers, “Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone stand up to my mother like that.”

I stop us and turn to her, cupping her face and running my thumb softly over her cheek. “I’m not going to let her continue to treat you like you’re some screw up because you don’t fit some mould she wants you to. You are perfect the way you are. One day, I’ll make you see it.”

I drop my hand, and we finish making our way over to Josh, Liv, and Matt. Liv and Hannah hug as I shake hands with the guys.

“Thanks for coming,” I say.

“Oh, we wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Olivia says. She peeks around us quickly and quirks a brow. “Although Lauren doesn’t look pleased.”

“We didn’t exactly tell her we invited more people. I’m looking forward to her reaction when Hannah’s dad gets here,” I say.

Liv’s eyebrows raise almost to her hairline. “You invited Bert?”

I nod and grin. “We couldn’t celebrate our marriage and not have him here.”

Liv shakes her head and holds back a laugh. “You’re really looking to stir the pot, aren’t ya?”

I look at Hannah, taking in just how beautiful she looks tonight, but also how her beauty is coupled with an anxiety I’ve only seen when she’s near Lauren. I turn back to Olivia. “I’m looking to support Hannah.”

I hold eye contact with her and watch her sharp intake of breath, and it’s then I know she knows what I feel for Hannah.

We talk for a few minutes until Zoey, Liz, Caleb, Bailey, and Charlie arrive.

Hannah grips my arm as she leans in to me. “I feel my mother’s eyes burning into the back of my skull.”

I look over my shoulder and see Lauren staring at Hannah, a look of disapproval barely concealed on her face.

“Oh, look at my gorgeous girl,” a man in his late fifties says as he walks out of the house and hugs Hannah.

She relaxes and wraps her arms around him as he sways her back and forth.

When he pulls back, he places his hands on her upper arms. “Now, don’t you look beautiful.”

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