Page 67 of The Forever After Bet

“Oh my gosh,” I groan, letting my head fall on Hannah’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“We could spread a rumor that you have a new girlfriend.” Hannah gives me a cheesy smile.

“I only want you to be my girlfriend.” I kiss her cheek.

“Ah, so sweet,” June gushes.

We finally stop talking about Bree and start talking about the Winter Formal. I wish I could’ve spent the night with just Hannah, but I’m so thankful for my friends and that they rushed to my aid when I needed them. We finish dinner, and Jack, Ty, and I play Halo. Hannah, Leah, and June look for dresses for the dance on their phones.

Someone’s phone vibrates. I grab mine, but it’s not ringing. I glance at the girls, and it isn’t their phones.

“Oh, shit!” Jack curses, pulling Hannah’s regular cell phone out of his pocket.

“Is it Beth?” Hannah asks.

Jack nods. Hannah holds her hand out for him to toss it, but he answers it instead. “Hey, Mom, what’s up?”

“Yeah, we’re all at Ford’s house. We ordered Chinese, and now we’re hanging out. Uh, me, Ty, Leah, June, Hannah, and Ford. Leah’s brother had friends over. It was noisy, so we came over here. We ate, talked about our plans for the dance next weekend, and now me and the guys are playing Halo. I don’t know what the girls are doing: gossiping, shopping, doing girl things. Yeah, sure, she’s right here.” Jack tosses the phone to Hannah.

“Hey, what’s up?” she asks. “We were at Leah’s.” Hannah rubs a hand across her forehead. “Okay, I’ll remember for next time, but it’s not curfew yet. Yep. Fine.” Hannah clicks off her phone. I watch as she powers it down, shutting it off. “I’ve got to go.” She stands up, grabs her kicks, and leaves the room. I follow her into the entryway, where she’s shoving her shoes on.

“Hey, what happened?” I ask, taking her hand.

“Beth is mad that I didn’t call and tell her I was leaving Leah’s and coming over here. She called me irresponsible and said I needed to come home right now.”

“She gets upset over the most random things. I’m sorry.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. Her heartbeat is erratic. I rub my hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her.

“It’s moments like these that make it hard,” Hannah whispers.

I try to look at her, but she tightens her hold around me, so I keep rubbing her back. “Make what hard?”

“Living in the moment. A part of me wishes it was the end of the school year, and I’m walking around the bend in the trail to see you standing in the meadow waiting for me.”

“It’s okay to want those things and be excited for them. That’s part of what makes life worth living—looking forward to the good and exciting things to come; but when that’s all we live for, we miss out on the good things happening in our life right now. Like the dance next weekend, Christmas, and Christmas break.” I lean my head down, kissing Hannah’s cheek. “I can’t wait to see you walking toward me in the meadow. It’s my favorite dream.”

“Hey.” We look up at Leah and Jack standing in the foyer. “I’m going to go home with you,” Jack says.

“You don’t—” Hannah starts.

“Yes, I do. We need to drop off Leah first,” Jack says.

“Okay,” Hannah says, her shoulders slumping.

I put on my coat, walk Hannah out to the Venue, and help her in the backseat. I press my lips to hers, pushing my tongue against the seam of her mouth. She opens, and I put all my love into the kiss. “I’m sorry the night didn’t turn out the way we planned, but I had a wonderful time because I was with you.”

“Me too.” Hannah gives me one more kiss.

“I will meet you tomorrow at noon at the bookstore.”

“I’ll be there.” Hannah threads her hand through my hair. “I love you today,” she whispers.

“I love you today.”

Jack and I do our handshake, and then I lean in, patting his back. “Thanks for the save tonight.”

“That’s what friends are for.” He smirks.

I stand at the front door and watch until the Venue turns the corner and is out of sight. It’s only been four days since Hannah and I talked through things, but I’m ready for our relationship to no longer be a secret.

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