Hannah immediately knew which dress she was talking about. The tight blue one that she’d worn the night she met Grant on the cruise ship.
“So dig out that dress, put it on, and figure out who you want to be tonight, because we’re going out to get creative,” Laura
said with a smile.
Hannah was hit with an instant dose of déjà vu that she had a feeling would bite her in the ass tonight.
Chapter Five
Hannah was on her second drink, and the dress she wore felt foreign against her skin. The last time she’d worn it, she’d been with the man who was now making her life complicated.
“You look great,” Laura said as she picked up her fruity pink drink off the bar and glanced around. She was in a dress as well and looked way more comfortable than Hannah felt. They were at the Crow’s Nest. The big bar held dance lessons, events, and concerts. Not massive, but not small like Goonies. It was the main place people came when they wanted to have more than just a drink in a bar. They wanted to move. And although Hannah wasn’t a dancer, the upbeat swing of the band playing popular cover songs made her toes tap and her hips sway just a little.
“Don’t look now, but I think you’re starting to relax,” Laura said.
Hannah just raised a brow and looked around at all the people. The place was packed, and she was actually liking being out in the world beyond her home, Goonies, or Main Street.
She hadn’t seen Grant when she’d gone home to change earlier. And she was wondering what he was doing. Wondering if he was thinking of her. Not that she cared. And she definitely hadn’t spent the better part of her shift today watching the front door wondering if he’d walk through it.
Had he gone back to New York?
She hadn’t checked the house for his things. She’d just hustled in and left after a quick change, some eyeliner and lipstick, and a fluff of the hair. But surely he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye . . .
I thought you wanted him gone?
Her mind was a whispering bitch. Hannah downed her drink in one swallow.
“You look so sad all of a sudden,” Laura said.
“Nope, I’m good, just need another drink.”
“Are you thinking of the money for the bar? We’ll find a way. Don’t worry.”
Surprisingly, Hannah hadn’t been thinking of that. She’d been thinking of Grant. Wondering if this pain in her chest would ever stop pulsing.
“Miss?” the bartender called to Hannah. She turned and faced him. He slid her a drink—the exact drink she’d just consumed. “Gentleman over there bought you ladies a round,” the bartender said, placing a replica of Laura’s drink next to Hannah’s on the bar top.
Hannah frowned at the glass as she picked it up. She took a seat on the bar stool. That’s when she noticed Laura looking over her shoulder, giving a little wave, and blowing a kiss. Ah, she must see Jake. They were probably playing one of their little “pretend to be strangers” games.
Hannah rolled her eyes and glanced over and saw—
“Fuck me,” Hannah breathed.
It was Grant. Standing right behind her.
“Maybe later,” he said and winked. “But first I was hoping to buy you a drink and get to know you. Hi, my name is Grant Laythem.”
Hannah looked at him like he’d lost his mind. But then she saw Jake walk up next to him and say something like an introduction to Laura.
Ah, crap. Not only were they playing a game, somehow Hannah had gotten roped into it.
“So, what, you’re best friends with Jake now?”
Grant frowned at her. “Oh, you know my friend Jake? I had no idea,” he said, clearly sarcastic. Judging by how chummy the two men were, she could now guess where Grant had spent his day—at the home goods store.
“Are you seriously trying to be best friends with my best friend’s husband?” she asked in disbelief.
“I’m doing no such thing,” Grant said in a sweet, defensive tone. Great, now he was mocking her. “Turns out, I’m approachable.”