Page 90 of Fall For Me
I really want her to stew over this; it would serve her right, but instead of letting her simmer in guilt, Aiden scoffs. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t do relationships. Period. But if I did have a wife, I sure as shit wouldn’t cheat on her. Since when does someone have to be married to have a child?”
“I just thought . . . You know what? My mistake. I clearly thought wrong. Sorry,” Viv says, then turns to hug me. “I’ve caused enough ruckus for one day.”
“You’re leaving already? You can stay here. I have plenty of room.”
“No. I already checked into the hotel close to Bergdorf. You know how I hate to get up early.” She releases me, strides to Hannah, and opens her arms, giving her a hug. “I’m sorry again. It was really nicemeeting you. I’ll call you guys tomorrow, and maybe we can have lunch before I head back home.”
“Don’t leave me out,” Granny says, shuffling to her feet.
“Sorry. God, I’m apologizing a lot. Ugh,” she says as she moves over to Granny, holding out a hand. “Sorry I didn’t introduce myself, but it was nice to meet you.”
Instead of shaking Viv’s hand, Granny pulls her in for a quick hug, then releases her and cups her cheek. “That’s okay, hun. Ya gave me a good show. And just so you know, that boy over there has a habit of breaking his wiener.”
“Granny! Would you stop with that shit?” Aiden chastises.
“Well, it’s true,” she argues back.
One after the other, everyone filters out of the house. I stand at the front door, watching my sister’s taillights pass through my gate as Jade runs past me and stands at the back of Aiden’s SUV, waiting for him to unlock it. With everyone finally out of the house, I swing the front door closed and lean against it, facing Hannah. Without a word, she turns and heads toward the kitchen.
When I round the corner, her head is stuck in the fridge. She reaches in, pulling out fresh vegetables, then kicks the door closed and plops them on the counter. I press my chest against her back and wrap my arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a word no man likes to hear,” I counter.
We all know when a woman says she’s fine, she’s not.
“I'm okay.”
“Want me to order in?”
“Nope. I got it,” she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
She’s not okay. She seemed fine before everyone left, but now, something feels off.
The rest of the evening is filled with silence, and at dinner, Hannah sits there with her cheek propped on her fist, moving the food on her plate back and forth with her fork. This has to be about Ava. I knew better than to talk that shit out with Viv in front of her. I wipe mymouth with my napkin, then set it back on my lap. “What’s on your mind, Rebel?”
She’s either ignoring me, or she’s deep in thought.
“Hannah?”
Brows raised, her eyes lift and lock with mine. “Hmm?”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“No. Not really. I need some fresh air away from here. I . . .” She trails off, shaking her head. “I need a rush.”
“Come on,” I say, pushing back from the table.
She tries to pick up her plate, but I stop her. “Leave it. I’ll take care of it when we get back.”
“What about Chávez? We probably shouldn’t leave him here alone.”
“See, Chávez? I knew you’d grow on her.” Sauntering over to Hannah, I pull her into my arms, tipping my head in the cat’s direction. “Look at him. He’s over there playing with his toys. He’ll be fine until we get back.”
“We should probably give him a bath.”
“Probably. We can do that when we get back, too. Come on. Let’s go.”
