Page 22 of Sage

“Will it though?” Marcy challenged him.

“Your girlish figure won’t do anything for you in this case,” Hans verbally pushed back at her. Their friendship was clearly picking up where it had left off and with a new relationship in sight, it was a good thing that the other person involved was someone he knew he could trust with his life. Someone who understood what it was like to love a woman as chaotic as Sage.

Love. That was a concept Hans didn’t know he was capable of ever feeling again. At least not since Alana.Was that what this was? Did he love Sage? So many questions were racing through his head. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed with his emotions and it left him silent as Marcy began to back out of the driveway.

“Hans?” Marcy’s concern and refusal to let him be a prisoner of his own mind broke through the thoughts. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure.” Hans was monotonous and his gaze traveled to the trees and tall grass passing by in a blur. “Eventually things will be fine, though.”

The silence remained intense for a few more minutes before Marcy broke it once more by releasing a stressful sigh.

“What’s wrong, Marce?” Hans was grateful for the pressure to be taken off of him.

“I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Marcy started to explain. Without listening Hans had his response locked and loaded.

“I don’t want to see her get hurt eith-”

Marcy cut Hans off. “By you.”

The pressure was back on.

Hans raised a brow and looked down toward his lap, searching for the right words - any words at this point - that would help reassure her that Sage was in good hands between the two of them.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ll be the first to admit it. I know I should have been stronger in my previous relationships.” He knew that if anyone would understand that, it was her. “I’ve been through enough loss in my life that I know that I can’t lose her again. Even if it means sharing her with someone who can provide in the areas I lack, and vice versa.”

“Yeah, well, she’s a handful, it will probably take both of us to tame the feral gremlin.” Marcy laughed.

“Ah, but that’s the side that makes her who she is.” Hans reminded her. “We just need to make sure she remains less… stabby.”

Deep down, Hans knew that Marcy had a valid point. If this relationship was to remain successful, he was going to have to grow up a little and stop living in the past.

Marcy dropped Hans off, confirming the plans for the evening before she continued down the road on her mission to find a hotel room for her and Sage. Hans made his way up the stairs and glanced down at the vacant apartment that Mrs. Jones once resided in.

“Have a slice of apple pie dear, unless you’re allergic.” Mrs. Jones handed Hans a plate with a slice of her warm apple pie.Hans had always heard of the Jones’ Farm and knew they were famous for her apple pies, but he had never had the opportunity to taste one for himself. He sat the box he was carrying down next to him and graciously accepted her ‘welcome to the apartments’ gift.

“Thank you, I’m Hans.” He didn’t want to be rude.

“Oh, I know who you are.” Mrs. Jones smiled. “You’re that hot new detective all the girls at the salon keep going on about.”

Hans’ cheeks flushed, he couldn’t believe that people were talking about him, let alone the new position he had accepted. Of course, with Acadia being a smaller town, he already knew who the ladies were who were suddenly infatuated with him.

“Well, that’s good, because I already know who you are, too,” Hans shot back at Mrs. Jones, feeling like he was finally meeting the town celebrity. He took a bite of the apple pie and it melted in his mouth, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg causing his mouth to water. “This is the best pie I’ve ever had.” He couldn’t get over it and was feeling sad that he had never prioritized it sooner. “If you’re still selling them, I’d gladly sign up for a pie a week.”

Mrs. Jones chuckled and a sadness came over her face. “I’m glad you like it, but these are nothing like they used to be since I don’t have the farm anymore, and I don’t have the space for a pie business.”

Hans patted her on the shoulder. “Oh, that’s okay. I do appreciate you for making me feel welcome!”

Mrs. Jones smiled, a twinkle flickered in her eye. “You’re welcome, dear.” She started to turn and head back to her apartment. “I’ll let you get back to your unpacking, but if you would like to come down about five o’clock and I will have a lasagna ready so you don’t have to worry about dinner.”

“Thank you, I’ll see you then.”

???

Once Hans was comfortably back in his apartment, he started to pace back and forth in front of his bedroom mirror, letting his emotions spiral for the first time. The loss of Alana. Discovering his best friend was still alive.Guilt for what he thought of as betraying Alana.

You idiot, you started falling for Sage before you tried to remove her from this world which was only a couple of weeks after Alana’s passing. You didn’t even allow yourself to mourn Alana’s death before taking on the next piece of ass.

He stopped, unsure of who the person was that was looking back at him from within the glass of the mirror.

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