Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

I can’t help but cover my mouth and laugh. “What did you tell her?”

“To close her damn blinds and I gave her the correct department to call the next day. She wasn’t happy.”

“I’m sorry,” I say and lean back when our food is delivered. “It must be difficult to have a personal life when you’re under a microscope.”

“Not really,” he says with a shrug and salts and peppers his food. “My father was the chief of police for about twenty years. He and my mom had a pretty normal life.”

“Do they still live here?”

“Part time,” he says with a nod. “They go south in the winter.”

“I can’t blame them for that. It was a snowy one this year.”

He nods. “Where do your folks live?”

“My mom died when I was seventeen.” I take a bite of food. “I have no idea where my dad is.”

He’s chewing and watching me. Don’t apologize. That’s the worst.

“That’s tough,” he says, surprising me. “Do you mind telling me what happened?”

“She and my dad were on their way home from a New Year’s Eve party, and he hit a tree. Killed her instantly. He was incredibly intoxicated. It was my senior year of high school.”

“Jesus.”

“I miss her. She was a good mom, despite being married to an alcoholic. He was sent to prison for third degree manslaughter, but by the time he got out, I was long gone, in college. I’ve never seen or spoken to him since that day.”

“You’re quite nonchalant about it.”

“I did the therapy thing, Brad. I’ve mourned. I still mourn her because she was wonderful. But he was a piece of shit, and I’m better off without him.” I grab a piece of bread slathered in chunks of garlic and take a bite. “My aunt and uncle took me in for the rest of my senior year, and they’ve really become more like parents to me. Their daughter, Abby, has always been one of my best friends. I do have family.”

“I’m glad,” he replies. “Family is really important to me.”

I nod. “I saw Jenna last night.”

“She told me.” He laughs and shakes his head, also taking a bit of bread. “She called this morning to tell me to be extra nice to you because she likes you.”

“She’s sweet.”

“She’s a meddler, but she’s my only sister, and she tells me that’s her job.”

“And you have a younger brother as well, don’t you?”

“Max,” he says with a nod. “He’s recently moved back to town as well. We’re both busy, so I don’t see him much, but it’s good to have him nearby.”

“That’s how I feel about Drake.”

“Drake Merritt?”

“Yes. He’s one of my best friends. I met him in medical school.”

“I thought for a while that he might be your boyfriend. That’s why it took me so long to ask you out.”

I feel my eyes widen in surprise. “Three years long? Brad, that’s a long time. And no, he’s never been my boyfriend. He’s just a dear friend, and he’s the reason I decided to move here.”

“I’ll have to thank him,” Brad replies.

“You’re quite charming.” I sit back in my seat, stuffed full of pasta and bread, and cross my arms over my chest.

“Just honest.” He finishes his food and wipes his mouth. “So, you have Drake and Grace nearby.”

“I do. Grace is wonderful, and I still see her all the time, despite not being roommates anymore. And Abby and her family come to visit at the holidays.”

“Is there anything else I can bring you?” Natasha asks as she comes to clear away our plates. “Dessert?”

“I mean, you can’t come to Ciao and not get the tiramisu,” I say and look to Brad for confirmation.

“We should absolutely share the tiramisu,” he says with a nod.

Natasha leaves, but another person walks over to talk about the potholes in the street in front of their house, and how their neighbor keeps playing music late into the night.

Finally, after five minutes, Brad says, “I understand your frustration, Paul. Just give the city a call tomorrow and they’ll talk to you about the potholes.”

“What about the music?”

“You’re always welcome to call the non-emergency line and an officer will come out and talk to them.”

Paul grumbles, but walks back to his own table and Brad reaches around the untouched tiramisu to take my hand. “Sorry about that.”

“Like I said before, I’m sure that happens all of the time when you’re out on dates.”

“I don’t go out on many dates,” he says with a smile.

“No?”

He shakes his head and passes me a clean fork, then loads his own fork with the fluffy dessert and offers me the bite.

Of course I take it, and close my eyes in absolute happiness as the coffee flavor hits my tongue.

“So damn good.”

“Hannah,” he says, his voice gruff. I open my eyes and meet his gaze. “You’re so damn sexy.”