Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

“For what?”

“For all of it.”

Chapter Seventeen

~Hannah~

“I’VE HARDLY SEEN YOU since you got home,” Grace says a week later. We’re packing up my house, or what’s left after all of my important personal things were already taken over to Brad’s just a few days ago.

“I know, it’s been a whirlwind.” I sit back on my heels and push my messy hair out of my face, then decide fuck it and tie it up on my head. “I went back to work, and we started moving my stuff all around the same time, so we’ve been busy and exhausted.”

“I can’t believe you took the plunge,” Drake says, who’s busy stacking boxes. “You’re sure it’s what you want?”

“Yes.” I stick my tongue out at him. “I’m happy and in love. Just be happy for me.”

“I’m happy for you. I just want to make sure you weren’t pressured into anything. It feels sudden.”

I shake my head and go back to stacking books in boxes. “It’s not sudden. We’ve been dating for a few months, and we know that we love each other, so why not live together? You know how crazy our hours are, and Brad’s can be just as hectic. We want to be able to spend as much of our downtime together as possible.”

“I think that makes sense,” Grace says with a shrug. “Although, I’m not a good judge of that sort of thing because I moved in with Jacob after knowing him for a week.”

“That’s fast,” I say and look at Drake as if to say, see? “And even though it was fast, it worked out wonderfully for you.”

“It did,” she says with a happy smile. “And I have no doubt that this is going to work out for you and Brad. I can see the way you smile when he walks into a room. It’s adorable.”

“Adorable,” Drake agrees, propping his hands on his hips.

“Yes, I can see that you’re happy for me,” I reply.

“I’m cautious,” he replies grimly. “Because I love you and I know you. I’m protective.”

“Like a pesky brother.”

“Exactly,” he says with a smile. “Someone needs to be. And I do want the best for you. I want you happy and in love and all that happy crap.”

“He’s so romantic,” Grace says.

“And I want you to be smart,” he continues without acknowledging Grace. “Because while falling in love is fun, it’s also sometimes blinding.”

“I’m not blind,” I reply, not angry with Drake in the least. “Honestly, I’m not. He’s a human being, and he’s not perfect. But he’s pretty wonderful anyway, and he loves me. I love him, too. That’s a good reason to want to live together.”

“Okay then,” Drake replies with a nod. “You know I support you. Always. But I’m also going to be the pesky brother who watches over you.”

“How sweet.” I pat his cheek, and then give it a little squeeze, making him cringe. “You’re the best brother a girl could have.”

He rolls his eyes and gets back to work packing boxes.

“Why do I have so much crap? I’ve only lived in this house for like four and a half years.”

“That’s what we do,” Grace says. “We gather things. And then they fill up our house and we wonder why we have so much of it.”

“I haven’t cracked these books open in years.”

“And yet,” Drake says, “you’re piling them in boxes and I’m hauling them around.”

“I mean, your muscles are impressive when you lift heavy things,” I say helpfully, but he just glowers at me. “Also, you love me.”

“That’s why,” he says, shaking his head.

“So, you and Brad had a romantic time at the beach?” Grace asks with a grin. “Tell us everything.”

“It was so beautiful, you guys. You both should go sometime. The resort is just stellar, with amazing food and views. I haven’t been that relaxed in… hell, I don’t remember the last time I was that relaxed.”

“That’s awesome.” Grace smiles as she rubs her little belly. “I told Jacob that I want to go sometime, and he said he’d make it happen. What a great place to spend some of this pregnancy, when I’m big and uncomfortable.”

“You should do that,” I reply with a nod. “You can lay by the pool with a book and just relax. It would be perfect. But I don’t want you to fly after you hit the eight-month mark.”

“Yes, Dr. Malone,” she says with a smile. “And speaking of me being pregnant, Jacob has also said that he’s going to wrap me from head to toe in bubble wrap so I’m sure not to hurt me or the baby.”

“You’ll be fine,” I reply and then cock my head to the side, thinking. “Actually, we should just put you in a bubble all the time.”

“Probably,” she says. “Drake, this box is full.”

“So, I’m basically just the slave around here today,” he grumbles.