Page 86 of Keeping You

“I remember more of our wedding than I let on,” I say.

She sits straight, eyes assessing me.

“The next morning it was flashes, but it’s come back to me more since then. I remember being super drunk. We’d been at the end of weekend mixer. You weren’t going to go, but some nurses convinced you to come. We ended up in some big group together.” I smile, thinking about it. “You were wearing this white dress with little green flowers on it and these wedged sandals. Some doctor from a hospital in Edmonton was hitting on you. You smiled at him, and I almost lost my cool.”

I take another sip of wine, needing it to continue. Hannah watches me with rapt attention, but I can’t tell how this story is impacting her. Is she mad that I didn’t tell her? Curious for more details?

“We ended up outside the hotel, and some guy was offering people money to do insane things. You were the first to spot him. I could see the excitement in your eyes. He offered you twentydollars to get a piggy back from a stranger for five minutes, and you did. You then made me do it. He said he’d give me fifty dollars to marry someone of his choosing. I said no, but you insisted. I was so drunk and wanted to see more of the truly carefree smile you had, so I gave in. He picked you. He took us to some chapel a few blocks down. We stopped at this jewelry store you saw on the way and picked out rings before we got married by an Elvis impersonator. The guy handed me the cash and left. We somehow made it back to the hotel. You insisted we spend our first night as newlyweds together and came to my room. You walked in the door, stripped, and climbed into one of the beds before crashing. I climbed in the other and went to bed, too.”

She runs her teeth over her lip as her fingers run up and down the stem of her wineglass. I’m on the edge of my seat, unsure of what’s running through her mind, needing to know what she’s thinking.

“Hannah,” I prompt.

She sighs. “As much as I hate to say it, it sounds like me. The girls have always told me I’m extremely impulsive when I drink, and I guess because there hasn’t been any lingering repercussions, I’ve never truly believed them. I know I like to push boundaries when I’m sober, so I guess this is just a natural progression of that.”

“So, you’re not mad?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Mad for what? That we both let alcohol drive us to get married? No. I was when we first woke up and you told me. It was a lot to take in. I never thought it was something that would happen.” She pauses, mulling over her words. “If I look at it now, I can’t say it’s the worst thing that’s happened to me. I’ve enjoyed the last three months. I’ve realized a few things that I don’t think I could have without it.”

There’s so much between her words, and I want to ask her, but she beats me to it. “While we’re admitting things, I shouldprobably tell you that when this first started, I tried toHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysyou.” She looks at me through her lashes, and it all hits me and I can’t help but laugh.

“I see it now,” I say, and she blushes. “I knew something about that movie felt familiar.”

She looks at me wide-eyed. “You’ve watched the movie?”

I guess I’m just spilling a ton of secrets to her tonight. “Yeah. I’ve watched a few of your movies. I’ve also read some of your books. I wanted to experience some of the things that bring you joy.”

She opens her mouth before closing it. She tips her head back and releases a slow breath.

I want to take the attention off me and circle back to her comments about the last three months, but as I open my mouth, our server arrives with our food. He places the plates in front of us before walking away.

Hannah seems to have moved on when she asks, “I know Caleb didn’t want a big bachelor party, so what are you guys doing?”

I cut into my steak, taking out some of my frustration at not being able to get more answers. “Poker and beers,” I say.

She nods, and the conversation moves on to small talk. I’m not sure if I should be happy that after everything we can slip into simple conversation, or disappointed that we aren’t going back to our previous conversation.

When we finish eating, I pay the bill and we leave the restaurant. A cool breeze sweeps through the streets, and Hannah wraps her arms around my right arm and holds herself close to me. I relish the feeling. The breeze comes again right as we reach the car and causes the scent of her perfume to fill my nose. I want to spend the rest of my life smelling that sweet, floral scent on her.

CHAPTER 32

Hannah

Tonight’s date with Grayson was one of the best I’ve ever been on, although every date with him has been that way, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Even after the heavy conversation surrounding our wedding night and how it came to be, we were able to effortlessly slip into easy conversation. I like that we can talk about mindless things and enjoy each other’s company.

He revealed secrets tonight that had me falling for him more. As if that’s even possible. Grayson may not have said the words, I love you, but he’s showing just how much he cares for me with his actions. Knowing he wants to experience the things that bring me joy is more than I could ever ask for. Grayson is so different from the way I’ve viewed him for the last two years, and I’m glad I got to see this side of him over the last three months.

I told myself I would take full advantage of the days I have left with Grayson, and I kept that in mind when I got dressed for tonight. I’m now excited to get home and show him what I put on for him under my dress.

When we walk into the apartment, Grayson loosens his tie and I watch every movement of his fingers as they pull atthe material. How they move so skillfully, undoing the top few buttons and exposing a few inches of his bare chest. I want to climb him like a fucking tree. He takes off his jacket and hangs it over the back of a chair before he meticulously undoes the buttons of his sleeves and rolls them up. His muscles flex and the veins bulge, and I’m practically a puddle at his feet.

He catches me watching and smirks. “Having fun, Spitfire?”

I swallow, hoping to fix my dry throat. “Yeah,” I practically pant.

He stalks towards me, only stopping when his chest brushes against mine. He leans down, his breath dusting over my ear as he exhales. “I’m glad.”

I inhale deeply, his scent completely taking over me. I manage to shake my head and remember I had plans for tonight. I bring my hand to his stomach, and he takes in a sharp breath the second my fingers touch him. They dance up his torso as I rise on my tiptoes.

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