Page 80 of The Forever After Bet

“Yes, silly. Your dad has a good heart.”

When he remembers, he has a heart, but I don’t say that out loud.

“Maybe your dad isn’t as against our relationship as we thought,” Hannah says.

“I’ll try to bring it up the next time I talk to him.”

“Sounds good.” Hannah yawns.

“Get some sleep. I’ll love you.”

“I love you too, Hot Cross Buns.”

“Goodnight, Beautiful.”

On Saturday morning, I stop and pick up Leah and head over to Hannah and Jack’s. When we get to their house, they’re already in the car waiting for us. Hannah and Leah get out and switch places.

“Good morning.” She smiles, leaning over and kissing my cheek.

“Yes, it is a good morning.” I smile back. “Are we still going to the donut place?”

“Yeah, Jack and Leah are going with us. I thought we could get a hot chocolate for everyone.”

“You’re an excellent leader.” When we reach a stoplight, I lean over and give her a quick kiss.

Jack honks his horn at us.

“Oh, jeez.” She laughs.

We’re the first ones at the school. We’re setting up in the main foyer of the school. To make it easy for people who want to donate and since they are decorating the gym for the dance. We pull out several tables and chairs. Hannah has us set up several stations to keep all the donations organized. She’s made posters to make it easier and even has hangers and a clothing rack a local store donated to hang the coats. A table is set up at the front to write receipts for people who want them for their taxes.

Everyone except Bree shows up by nine. I know Hannah is worried about having to deal with her all day, and about her trying to flirt with me all damn day. I told Hannah I’d talk to her and tell her nothing was going to happen, but she didn’t want me to do it here. She’s afraid Bree will go to Mrs. Landry and tell her some exotic lie that will get her in trouble.

We sit around talking about last night’s basketball game and our plans for the winter formal tonight. “I think it’s cool that you guys are going as a group,” Cory says.

“Did you ask anyone?” Hannah asks him.

“No, I have a girlfriend who lives in Spokane. She goes to Gonzaga Prep. Our families go way back. They had a fall dance a couple of weeks ago that I took her to, so we decided to skip this one.”

“I don’t blame you,” Hannah says.

“What about you, Edison? Did you ask anyone?” I nod to him.

“Nah, dances aren’t really my thing. I will probably go to the senior Prom, but that’s good enough for me.” He laughs.

We help four people with food donations and a couple of hand-me-down coats in the first hour.

“I hope we get more people than this,” Hannah sighs, worrying her bottom lip.

“We will. Nine a.m. is early on a Saturday. Things will pick up.” I wrap my arm around her, giving her a side hug.

By eleven, we’re so busy a line forms. Aubrey’s parents buy sandwiches from a local shop for everyone, but we don’t have time to eat them. It slows down after one, and I finally have time to sit down.

The metal doors slam with a bang, and I look up to see Bree, all dressed up, walking toward me. But Hannah intercepts her.

“Where have you been? As a chairman, you were supposed to be here at nine this morning.” Hannah’s pissed, her forehead’s scrunched, and her hands are on her hips.

“I had a nail appointment this morning. Besides, I told Mrs. Landry we’d split the day between us. So, you can leave.” Bree makes a shooing motion with her hand.

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