Chapter 14

Hannah

H e's kissing me, and it's everything I've ever thought it would be, but like all good things with me and Matt, it has to come to an end. I keep my eyes closed for a little bit longer, to savor the moment. Much like I would a dream I'm not ready to wake from.

But reality doesn't wait, and my brother could walk through that door at any moment.

Reluctantly, I bring my hands up to his, and with a gentle squeeze, start to pull them away from my face. His fingers linger for a breath longer on my skin, and then slowly he lowers them. I move to let go of his hands, but he threads his fingers through mine, holding on as we face each other. I open my eyes and look up at him.

"Hannah." My name sounds like a plea on his lips. There's a vulnerability to it that makes my heart ache even more. "I didn't know."

"Know what?" I ask.

"About your job. If I'd known the bracelet would get you fired, I never would have sent it I promise." Sincerity is etched on his face.

The bracelet is currently sitting on my wrist, the charms glinting in the evening light. For two weeks, it's sat there as a reminder of missed opportunities. Each charm reminding me of a moment I should have taken a chance with him. "It's not your fault Matt. I made so many mistakes. But the biggest was hurting you."

"A lot of that could have been avoided if I'd talked to you" He looks around and spots the flowers he'd been carrying earlier. "I plan to get you something better than these, and something better than the charm bracelet too. But I brought you those, hoping you'd be willing to let me in the door."

"No," I tell him, shaking my head softly. "You misunderstand. I love the bracelet and the charms. I hadn't opened the box yet when you came into my office. I thought it was from my friends because they'd been sending me gifts pretending to be a secret admirer."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted the people at the arena to think I was in a relationship with someone else so I'd be free to spend time with you."

He's silent for a moment as he pieces all of it together. "All those gifts were from your friends?"

I nod, relieved that he finally knows it all.

"You don't have a secret boyfriend?" he asks.

"No, I never did."

A grin spreads across his lips. "Good."

I bite my lip nervously, as I know the news I have to share next will hurt him. "I'm glad you came to see me before I leave. I was hoping I'd get the chance to tell you goodbye before I move."

He tenses, and his hands squeeze mine just a bit more, "Please don't leave."

"I don't want to, but I might have found a new job. There's a PR firm in Tennessee, they work with all kinds of clients. They have an opening for a junior position, and Nate said he might know someone who can tell me more. I love Glacier Bay, but I need a place where people don't give me the job because of Lou." I can see the pain in his eyes grow with each word. "I'm good at what I do, and I want people to know that."

"Then I'll move with you," he tells me, his voice full of desperation.

"Matt."

"Please."

"I can't ask that of you," I say as I gently pull my hands out of his. The loss of his touch aches. "You have your career to consider."

"Would you consider a different big city with an NHL team?" he asks.

My head tilts in confusion as I look up at him. "I don't understand."

A throat clears, and we turn to see Nate and Lou standing by the doorway of my apartment. Their presence bursts the temporary bubble of privacy Matt and I had for our conversation. With them standing there, the living room feels a lot smaller.

Matt smiles at the guys, and his eyes are bright with excitement as he turns back to be and drops the news. "I'm getting called up to the big leagues."

"That's amazing!" I'm so happy for him, and that happiness for a moment eclipses my worries. "I know how much that kind of offer means."

"Congrats man." Lou moves in to high-five Matt. "What team?"

"I still need to work out the details with my agent. He said I've had a few offers, but I haven't looked any of them over yet."

"Pull it up now!" Lou insists. "What are you waiting for?"

Matt looks nervous as he pulls out his phone to open his email. He sorts through his email, and finally finds the one from his agent. Three different teams are making offers.

"I have my choice of Washington, California, or…" he pauses to clear his throat. "Tennessee."

Nate high-fives Matt, but Matt is smiling as he looks at me, waiting for me to catch up with what it all means.

Reading the room, Nate tells me, "Lou and I are going to go deliver your stuff."

"We are?" Lou asks, his surprise evident. He's still excited over Matt's news.

Nate claps a hand on Lou's shoulder before he can continue talking, and starts pushing him out the door. "Yes we were, and then we'll be back for another load."

"But there's still—" Lou starts, but the door closes behind them. Leaving me grateful to Nate for understanding that Matt and I still need to talk things through.

Tennessee might be an option, could be the option for both of us.

"What do you want Hannah?" Matt asks, his voice soft but insistent. "Tell me what to do to make this work."

"I don't know what the next year holds for me Matt. I'm still looking for a job, but I don't know where that will take me."

"How long do you think it would take to find out about the one in Tennessee? I'm sure you'll get it if you apply."

"I wish I had your confidence."

"Wherever you want to work, I'll support you. We can do long distance if we need to," He says, his eyes never leaving mine. "I promise I'll listen to you from now on. I don't want anymore secrets."

My voice is unsteady as I ask, "Really?"

"Really, Sweetheart." He picks up my hand with his and brings it up to his lips. He kisses my knuckles softly. "I'll follow you anywhere if that's what it takes."

"I love you," I tell him, feeling the weight of those words and all they signify.

"I love you more."

This time when he leans in to kiss me, there's no hurt or sorry left between us. This kiss is a promise of a new beginning to the life we'll build. The world outside fades away, and for this moment, it's just the two of us in a world of our own. This kiss conveys everything words can't and soothes the aches of weeks past with the warmth of our love. My fingers find their way back to his, and as our hands interlock, everything feels right, because it is right with him.