by Isla Drake
“Of course not,” I say.
“I can’t wait to play at P.E. tomorrow,” he says fiercely. I’m sure there’s a story there that I haven’t heard, but I don’t interrupt him to ask.
Liam goes on about his stance and his elbow and keeping an eye on the ball. I listen to every word, smiling and nodding where appropriate, but my mind is focused on the man standing near the counter. Finn. To him, today probably hadn’t been a big deal. But to the little boy sitting across from me, it means the world. Which means the world to me. Liam finishes talking about baseball and goes back to his pie. I turn to Finn.
“Thank you,” I say, softly. He nods once, a little dip of his head.
He holds my gaze for several seconds before blinking. He clears his throat. “Are you kidding?” he says, his voice playful. “I took the afternoon off to play baseball. I should be thanking you and Liam.”
Liam glances up at the sound of his name and grins at Finn who ruffles his hair. I finish my food and lean back in my chair, comfortably full.
“Thanks for feeding me,” I say with a sigh. “It was delicious as always.”
“I’ll tell Andie you said so,” Finn says, referring to the Jester’s chef.
I turn to Liam. “You ready, kid?”
He nods and stands, grabbing his backpack. “Ready!”
“See you tomorrow,” I say.
“Goodnight, Hannah,” Finn says. Something about his words and the softness in his voice makes something inside me melt. I ignore the feeling, as I’ve done for years. I give him a little wave before I turn and lead Liam out of the kitchen.
When we get home, we slip into the normal routine of bath time, picking out clothes for the next day, and figuring out which book to read. By the time Liam is in bed and the house is quiet, my brain feels fried. Everything hurts. I pour a glass of wine and start the tub filling in my bathroom. I know a soak in a hot bath will help ease my tension. Exhausted though I am, it’s too early to fall asleep.
As I sink down into the hot water, the image of Finn’s face keeps flashing through my mind on repeat. Why had he looked at me like that? What had he been thinking? If it had been any other man, I might have called his gaze awed, proud, possessive. But this is Finn. He doesn’t look at me that way. Not that I want him to.
The house is so silent I can hear the clock ticking in the living room. It’s too quiet, I think. For the first time in a long time, I let myself feel the aching loneliness I usually hide away. I’m never really alone. I have Liam and my work is filled with people. Much as the chaos of The Jester can annoy me at times, it’s never lonely. Tonight though, I feel more alone than I have since my divorce. I blame Quinn. If she hadn’t mentioned getting back out there and making a move on Finn, I wouldn’t be sitting in the tub feeling sorry for myself right now.
I take another sip of red wine. Hell, maybe Quinn is right. Not about Finn, but about getting back out there. Maybe it’s time for me to start dating again. I’m still young. Mostly. I swipe some of the bubbles away from the surface of the water and study my body with an assessing eye. I don’t look half bad, I think. I don’t work out and I like carbs, but I go for the occasional jog. Plus, my work keeps me on my feet a lot. That’s cardio, right? I sigh and finish off the wine. Fine. I’ll jog more often. Twice a week, at least. Decision made, I settle lower into the water and close my eyes. That only brings back the image of Finn. Damn it. Giving up on relaxing, I drain the water and wrap up in my fluffy bathrobe.
I climb into my bed and pull the blankets over me. My mind is still a whirl of activity. I think about the possibility of dating again. That leads to thinking about the dating pool in Oak Hill. I try to make a mental list of eligible men close to my age. Four of them are in the same family. And one of those is my boss. Even if I did have a thing for Ronan, Van or Wyatt, there’s no way I could date one of Finn’s brothers. I try to picture what that would be like and I shudder. It’s not that they aren’t attractive. All the Kings were blessed with amazing genes. They all have the same ice-blue eyes and nearly jet-black hair, with the exception of Claire. She’d somehow gotten their mother’s coppery locks. Dating one of them is absolutely not an option. I try to imagine Finn’s reaction to me dating one of his brothers. I have the feeling he’d hate it, though I can’t say why. I shake my head at my own foolish notion and turn off the bedside lamp. It’s not late, but the wine did what the bath couldn’t and I’m asleep in minutes.
Chapter Five
Hannah
After my early bedtime, I manage not to abuse the snooze button on my alarm this morning. I still don’t feel totally rested thanks to some incredibly vivid dreams involving Finn that would make even Quinn blush if she knew about them. I push them out of my head and vow to never tell a living soul. I get Liam to school early enough that I have time to stop off at Momma Jean’s for a latte. Remembering how Finn had helped me with Liam the day before, I buy him one as a gesture of gratitude.
When I make it to work, I see Finn’s truck already parked in its usual space. I make my way inside, stopping by his office first. He’s sitting behind his desk, phone pressed to one ear. He gives me a little wave when he notices me standing in the doorway. I cross the room, coffee cup outstretched toward him. Finn shoots me look of pure gratitude before mouthing the words, “Thank you”. I nod and hand him the cup before leaving the room. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but it’s important enough that he had to be in the office well earlier than usual. I make my way to my own office and get to work. Maybe I can manage to answer a few emails before the front desk calls me away. Claire isn’t scheduled to come help out today, so I’m on my own. With all but one of the wedding party already accounted for, I’m hoping it won’t be as stressful as yesterday.
I manage a full hour of work before I hear the bell signaling a guest in the front office. I assume it’s the tardy best man, but it could easily be one of the guests that are already in residence. As I make my way to the reception area, I picture the bride and groom from the day before. Hopefully the arrival of the best man will be enough to appease the stressed-out bride, though I’m sure she’ll find something else to worry over. Brides always do. When I get to the reception area, I see a man standing there, his back to the desk as he surveys the lobby.
The first thing I notice are broad shoulders. The next thing I notice is how well those shoulders fill out the obviously tailored shirt he’s wearing. My eyes drift down in a covert assessment of the man’s ass which is definitely worth a second look. Before I can do any further study of his assets, the man begins to turn around. My eyes shoot back up to his face before he can notice me checking him out.
“Hi,” he says, shooting me a smile that I’m totally unprepared for. Damn. He’s hot. His hair is a light golden brown trimmed shorter on the sides than on top. He’s got a jaw that could cut glass and dimples that would make a lesser woman swoon. Good thing I’ve built up an immunity to hot guys during my years of working for Finn.
“I’m checking in for the Harmon wedding,” the man says. “Lucas Wolfe.”
To my credit, I’m only stunned for a moment before my professionalism kicks in and I return the smile.
“I’m Hannah Travis,” I say. “The manager. Welcome to The Queen’s Jester. Let me get you checked in, Mr. Wolfe.”
He leans in closer and I can smell a hint of some kind of expensive cologne.
“Call me Luke,” he says in a voice that I can only assume he uses to convince women to call him whatever he likes.
I nod and tell myself not to blush. He’s just being friendly. Who cares if he’s officially the second hottest guy in town right now? Not me. Right?
Luke looks at me as though he’s dying of thirst and I’m a tall glass of water. Which is ridiculous. But he’s definitely checking me out. I’m not used to this kind of single-minded attention. I’m not sure how I feel about it.
“Hannah,” he says in that low, bedroom voice of his. “What’s there to do for fun around here?”
I clear my throat, determined not to show any reaction. “There are any number of attractions in the immediate area,” I say, maintaining my professional demeanor by sheer will power. “But I’m sure the wedding festivities will keep you pretty busy.”
If possible, Luke leans even closer. “I’m never too busy for a little fun,” he says, holding my gaze. His eyes are a clear blue-green that remind me of a spring fed lake I visited once in Florida. A girl could definitely get lost in those eyes. My gaze drifts down to his mouth, full with just a hint of a curve upward at each corner. Part of me wonders what it would be like to kiss this man. It’s barely a thought in my mind before it vanishes and I shake my head, smiling wide.
“Can I ask you a question?” I say in a soft voice.
His grin widens. “Anything.”
“Does that line work often?”
He lets out a little laugh and rolls his eyes. “More than you might think.”
“So, hitting on the first woman you meet in a new town, huh?” I say, still smiling. “That’s your thing?”
He has the manners to look slightly sheepish. “I admit, it wasn’t my best work.”
I give him a pitying look and click my tongue. “Kinda lame, man.”
Now, Luke Wolfe lets out a loud, full-bodied laugh that’s infinitely more attractive than the leering he’d just been doing. I can easily understand how a woman might fall for that.
“You’re right,” he says when he finishes laughing. “It is pretty lame.”
I shrug as though I’m some sort of an expert, then I go back to checking him into the Jester’s computer system.
“So, what does work on a girl like you, Hannah?” Luke asks.
I look up at him with one eyebrow cocked. “Seriously?”
He tries to look innocent but fails. “Just for research purposes.”
I roll my eyes and hand him a room key. “Up the stairs, third floor, take a left. Room 12.”
He narrows his eyes at me as though I’m some puzzle he intends to solve. Then he takes the key from me, intentionally brushing his hand against mine. I make a sound like a gameshow buzzer and shake my head which makes him smile again. He makes his way to the staircase and turns to shoot me another puzzled look. I smile back innocently and give him a little wave. He looks confused and disappointed which thoroughly amuses me.
Chapter Six
Finn
It’s midmorning before I finish my workload from yesterday. My neck hurts and my eyes are feeling the strain of staring at the computer for the past 2 hours. But it had been worth it to see Liam’s eyes light up yesterday when he’d finally gotten the hang of hitting the ball. Not to mention the look in Hannah’s eyes when she’d thanked me. I scrub a hand over my face and sigh. I have got to stop thinking about her that way. I’d been so tempted yesterday. If Liam hadn’t been there, I might have said to hell with it and kissed her. This isn’t like me. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m going to have to find a way to get it under control before I do something stupid.
I stand up from my desk and stretch intending to make my way to the dining room and scrounge for whatever pastries might be left over from breakfast. As I approach the reception area, I see Hannah talking to a guest. Is it my imagination or is the man standing entirely too close? I stop walking and watch the scene before me. The man says something that makes Hannah smile. She answers him. He leans even further across the desk toward her. I feel a rush of something hot course through me. I refuse to call it jealousy. It’s more like protectiveness. Yes. That’s it. I only want to look out for Hannah and make sure she’s not in a situation in which she may need help. I’d do the same for any employee.
As I watch, the man says something else to Hannah. Her eyes narrow, but she stands her ground, not moving back from him even though he’s closer than any guest should be. Then she says something, and the man throws back his head and laughs. He also takes a small step back from the desk which eases some of my annoyance, but not much. Hannah goes back to typing on the desk computer while the man seems to study her as though she’s a riddle he’s trying to decipher. I feel anger flare even hotter. My hands hurt and it takes me a moment to realize my fists are clenched so tightly that my nails are digging into my palms. From behind me, I hear someone approach. I realize too late that that someone has been calling my name for the past few seconds. I force my gaze away from Hannah and the new guest to see one of my younger brothers walking toward me.
I force a smile. "Hey, Wyatt. What's up?"
Wyatt smiles at my obvious distraction. "I'm here with the wine delivery. For the rehearsal and the wedding. But I can come back when you're finished glaring at Hannah and the playboy."
"I’m not glaring," I say, too quickly. I try to sound less defensive when I speak again. "I was just making sure he doesn't do anything inappropriate. For Hannah's sake."
"I don't think she's hating the attention, Finn," Wyatt says gesturing with his chin as Hannah laughs at something Douchebag says.
I feel my jaw clench in annoyance and work to loosen it. I turn my back on Hannah and the new guest. It’s not my business. Besides, Hannah can handle herself. I abandon my quest for a late breakfast.
"Come on," I say, motioning Wyatt toward the door. "Let me help you unload."
We talk as we work. It’s only been a few days since I last saw Wyatt, but we still have plenty to talk about. With a family as large as ours, there’s always something or someone to discuss. We talk about Claire, the baby of the family and our only sister. She’s still something of a free spirit and hasn’t decided what to do with her life. We’ve all sort of indulged her since our parents’ death when she was just 14. None of us had known how to raise a teenage girl. I sometimes wonder if we let her down somehow, but she’s grown up to be an amazing woman, even if she still seems a little aimless. She has plenty of time to figure things out.
We finish and head inside to wash up. We stop by the kitchen for glasses of iced tea before taking them out to the wrap-around porch. I ask Wyatt about his girlfriend, but he waves away the question.
"History," he says. "She went back out west for her Masters."
"I'm sorry, man," I say, truly meaning the words. I barely knew the girl, but I want my brother to be happy.
"Don't be," Wyatt says. "It wasn't serious. If she was upset about leaving me behind, it didn't show. She didn't invite me to follow her and honestly, the idea never crossed my mind.” He shrugs. “It was just a fun couple of months."
I shake my head. Wyatt is still young in a lot of ways. I sometimes forget that fact because we’d all been forced to grow up at a young age. The idea of having a fling for a few months is something that would never cross my own mind.
"I don’t know how you do it. What's the point of having a relationship if you both know it's heading nowhere?"
"Ah," Wyatt says, smiling. "Sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination." He winks.
"Degenerate." I say, but I smile back.
"Some of us are just lucky that way," Wyatt says, leaning back in his chair. "What's that I saw with you and Hannah in there earlier?" He points back toward the house.
I feel my face start to heat and turn to look out at the grounds. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hm,” Wyatt says in a knowing tone. “Hannah is a beautiful woman.” His words are observational, as though he’s merely commenting on the weather. Still, I feel a hot stab of jealousy as he says it. I make no comment and he keeps talking.
"You didn't think you'd be the only one to notice that fact, did you? Sooner or later she's going to find someone who does more than just notice. He's going to tell her. And there won't be a damned thing you can do about it."
I feel my annoyance ratchet up a notch.
"Hannah and I are friends,” I say. “Colleagues. That's it." I can hear the way my voice has shifted into something bordering on anger. I know Wyatt can hear it too.
"If you say so," he says
. “Just know that she won’t be single forever. Don’t wait too long.” I don’t reply and Wyatt stands to leave. "I've gotta get back to Mack's. I'll see you Sunday?"
"I’ll be there,” I say, forcing the annoyance from my words. Wyatt means well, I know. But my little brother still hasn’t grown out of pressing the buttons he knows will get a rise out of me.
“Thanks for making the delivery."
Wyatt smiles. "Any time."
After he leaves, I remain on the porch thinking about my brother's words. They bring back my annoyance in full force. Why does the idea of Hannah with someone else bother me so much? I have no claim on her. I don’t want one. Do I?
Chapter Seven
Hannah
The next morning, I’m working the front desk again for what I hope is the last day. I spoke to Matt last night and he sounded much better. He apologized for my having to fill in for him while he’s sick. I assured him it was no trouble but we both knew I was lying. There are a dozen different things that need my attention and having to run the front desk is a distraction I don’t need this week. I need to help coordinate the rehearsal dinner for tomorrow night. The bride stayed firm on her choice of tablecloth color which made my respect for her rise a notch. It’s her wedding. She shouldn’t let anyone—even her mother—bully her into changes she doesn’t want.
I’m going over a mental checklist for the dinner when I hear a man’s voice.
“My, my. You’re looking radiant this morning, Hannah.”
I look up and see Luke—Mr. Wolfe—coming down the stairs. If possible, he looks even more handsome this morning than yesterday. I wait, checking to see if there’s any hint of a reaction from my girl parts. Nope. Nothing. Why can’t I want this man instead of the one I can’t have? I give him my professional smile—impersonal, close-lipped, no teeth.