Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

“Never been used,” I confirm. “You’re welcome to borrow it.”

“Thanks.” She grins and takes a bite of her bagel. “How are things with you and Brad?”

I smile, the thought of Brad waking me right up. “Really good.” I nod. “Like, really, really good. He’s such a good guy. He’s sweet and strong. He cares deeply about his friends. His dog is the best.”

I take a sip of my now almost cold coffee, thinking of him. “He’s a gentleman. And I mean he’s a gentle man. Sometimes they’re not the same thing.”

“Agreed.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him. The sex? Holy shit, Grace.”

“Wow,” she says, watching me avidly. “That good?”

“I didn’t even know some of the things he’s done to me were possible, and I’m no virgin.”

“Atta girl,” she says, holding her fist out for a bump. “I don’t care what anyone says, sexual chemistry is super important.”

“Absolutely. And he also likes to hold me. He’s always touching me. And he recently told me that the only thing in the world that calms him down is me.”

“Jesus, Hannah, you’re in love!”

I stop and stare at her, blinking rapidly.

“Well, no.”

“I’ve only ever talked this way about the man I love,” she says reasonably. “And I think it’s fantastic. I’m so excited for you.”

“Wait.” I stand and pace the kitchen, thinking about this. “Maybe this is too good to be true. I mean, I haven’t really known him that long.”

“Only a few years,” Grace says with a smirk.

“I mean really known him. What if he’s not at all what I think he is? What if he’s an alcoholic?”

“He’s not your dad,” she reminds me and I shake the thought off.

“You’re right. Besides, I don’t think he could function at his job as well as he does if he was drunk all the time.”

“Definitely not.”

“But what if he’s secretly a serial killer? Or has other wives? Am I going to be a sister wife?”

“I haven’t heard any talk about any wives, and I don’t see a ring on your finger, so I’m going to say no.”

“He could have kids. I’ve never asked him if he has kids.”

“No kids,” she says and tilts her head to the side. “What are you trying to do here?”

“There has to be another shoe that’s going to drop,” I reply and sit across from her. “Everything is too perfect. He’s too perfect.”

“Is he really perfect? Does he never have bad breath? Maybe he leaves his socks on the floor? Certainly he must fart.”

I smirk. “I’ve never stayed at his house, so I don’t know if he leaves his socks on the floor. He’s a human being, so I’m sure there are faults in there somewhere that I just haven’t found yet.”

“Right, because you’re still discovering each other. This is the best part of the relationship, when all of the butterflies happen and you can’t stay away from each other. It’s exciting.”

“Are you saying you don’t feel this anymore with Jacob?”

“Hell no, the man still gives me butterflies after a year of marriage,” she says with a smile. “And, would it be weird if I’m your patient?”

“Why?”

She just sits there and smiles, and I feel like I’m missing something. Finally, she rolls her eyes and points to her stomach, and I feel my eyes widen in surprise.

“Oh my God! Really? You’re pregnant?”

“That’s what the stick said,” she replies and pats her belly. “But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you and the perfect Brad.”

“He’s probably flawed,” I say and frown. “Maybe.”

“It sounds like you’re deciding whether to stay with him, or run.”

“Why would I run? I don’t want to run.”

“Good, because that would be really stupid. So maybe you’re just, I don’t know. What are you?”

“I’m dumb.”

“No, you’re not,” she says with a giggle.

“I can’t describe how I feel. It sounds weird to my own ears, but it’s like I already know him. It’s a connection that I can’t explain, and when I’m with him, I feel so calm. It’s scary.”

“If it wasn’t scary, it wouldn’t be real,” she says with a shrug, and I narrow my eyes at her.

“You’re smart.”

“I know.”

“And if you think anyone but me is delivering that baby, you’re on crack.”

She laughs and reaches out to squeeze my hand. “Good. Because I don’t like strangers looking at my hooha.”

“It’s a vagina.”

“Hooha.”

“Repeat after me.” I grab her face in my hands. “Va-gi-na.”

“Hoo-ha.”

We dissolve in giggles and then I take a deep breath and push my hair over my shoulder. “I’m glad you came by. Since we don’t live together anymore, I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. Did I mention that we’re having a big party at the lake house for the fourth of July?”

“That’s a month away.”

“But do you work?”

I check my calendar, and smile with excitement. “I don’t! So unless someone has a baby, I’ll be there.”