Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

“You’re a smart man, Chief Sexypants.”

He rolls his eyes and stands, holding his hand out for mine.

“Are you ever going to stop calling me that?”

“Nope.”

Chapter Sixteen

~Hannah~

“I HOPE I DON’T step on a jellyfish.”

We’re on the sand, walking down to the water. I have the binoculars hanging around my neck for whale watching, we stepped out of our shoes at the beach entrance, and we’re both in shorts, so there’s no need to roll our pants legs.

“I’ll keep an eye out for any rogue jellyfish,” he says. He’s holding my hand, our fingers linked. The sun is just starting to set on the horizon.

“I read somewhere that when they sting you, it hurts really bad and the only way to take the sting away is to pee on it.”

“Well, that’s a delightful thought,” he says. “I’m not really into that sort of thing.”

I push his arm, making him splash in the water. “I’m not either, perv.”

“I will defend you against all jellyfish and the threat of pee.”

“And they say chivalry is dead.”

He stops in front of me, his back to me. “Hop on.”

“I’m not gonna pass that up.” I hop onto his back and he catches me around the knees. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and lean in to kiss his ear. “This is nice.”

He doesn’t say anything for a while as he carries me down the beach. I’m watching intently for whales and laughing at seagulls who have flown over to see what we’re up to, and to see if we have a hand out.

He finally sets me down, and I plant my feet in the sand, ready for the water to wash over them.

“Oh, it’s like bath water.”

“It’s warm in the summer,” he agrees and watches me with happy eyes. “You look beautiful like this.”

“Like what?”

“Happy. Playful.”

I stop and tip my head back, take a deep breath and smile. “I feel happy. And you were right, I’ve been able to relax, and that’s a huge gift.”

“And it’s only day one,” he reminds me.

“That’s right.” We’re walking further down the beach. The sky is a riot of orange, blue, and purple. The sand is getting rockier, so we turn back toward the resort. “We walked further than I thought.”

“It’s easy to do on the beach.”

“Have you been here often?”

“I’ve actually never visited this resort before, but I love the ocean. When I was a kid, my parents would bring us to the Oregon coast every summer. It’s colder up there, but still fun.”

“I love it. I didn’t know what I was missing.” I glance up at the resort, all lit up in the twilight. “It’s beautiful.”

“And quieter than I expected. I thought it would be flooded with tourists.”

“It’s mid-week. Maybe that has something to do with it.” He nods, and I keep rambling. “You know what else I’m enjoying?”

“What’s that?”

“We don’t have to share each other. Neither of us is in danger of being called in to work, and we’re not putting in odd hours. I get to spend a block of time with you, uninterrupted. That might be the best vacation of all.”

“We should do it often. Just schedule it and make it happen.”

“I would do that.” I actually love that idea.

“Or, better yet, you should just move in with me.”

I trip on my own feet, surprised at the suggestion, and Brad catches me before I fall on my face.

“Easy. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Holy shit! I’m not fine. He just asked me to move in with him as casually as asking me to go to the movies.

We’ve never said the L word.

I’ve almost said it once or twice, but that’s not the same as saying it. Not even close. How can he ask me to live with him if he doesn’t love me?

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

Okay, that was lame. But I don’t know what to say.

“Moving in with me.” He smiles down at me and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to think about it.”

“Makes sense,” he says with a nod, and then he completely drops the subject. So now I don’t know if he regrets mentioning it, or if it’s really that casual of a thing for him.

And of course I’m going to spend forever overthinking it. I wish I had my phone on me; I’d text Abby.

I’ll text her when we get back. She’ll know what to say.

“You’re suddenly quiet,” he says.

“I think I’m just tired,” I lie, feeling guilty about it. I’m all pumped up with adrenaline now. “It’s been a long day.”

“So should we skip dessert and go up to the condo?”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

He nods and leads me up to our condo, and once inside, I make a beeline for the bathroom. I lock the door and stand in front of the mirror, staring at myself.