At six o’clock sharp Harrison pulled up outside Hannah’s house in a white Mercedes G-class. At least it wasn’t the limo, Hannah thought gratefully as she kissed her father’s cheek and ran out the door before he could badger her with more questions. It’d been hard enough to convince him to let her go to dinner with Harrison. But it appeared he even started to win her father over after all the kindness Harrison showed them after Custard’s accident.

Harrison opened the car door for Hannah and she hopped in.

“How many cars do you have?” she asked studying the roomy interior enviously as he pulled away.

He laughed. “They’re sort of my father’s obsession. We’ve got quite a collection if you’d like to see it some time?”

“Maybe. We’ll see how tonight goes.”

He gave her another dazzling smile. “I think you’ll be impressed.”

“Someone’s feeling confident.”

“Well, I did pull out all the stops.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll see.”

“We are going to dinner, right? I haven’t eaten since lunch and I’m starving.”

Harrison laughed. “Good. You’re probably better off on an empty stomach. It can be a bit of a bumpy ride.”

“What?”

As Hannah asked the question, they turned off the road and approached a gate with a call box. Harrison rolled down the window and punched in a code and the gate began to open. They rumbled up the drive to the top of a hill covered in lights and industrial looking sheds. It was a private airport!

“We’re having dinner in Boston, right?” Hannah asked trying to conceal her mild panic.

“Yes. Sort of. Come on.”

Harrison parked and led Hannah around one of the large white buildings. A tiny white helicopter glowed under a pool of light and Harrison waved to the two men standing beside it.

“Oh my god! Is that how we’re getting to dinner?”

“You’re the one who said I live in a different stratosphere.” He winked. “Just keeping the fairytale alive.”

* * *

The ride to dinner was amazing. Seeing Boston at sunset from the sky was one of the most beautiful sights Hannah had ever experienced. As promised, it’d been a bumpy ride and she clung to Harrison unable to contain her squeals when her stomach dropped with the turbulence. He’d surprised her by laughing and hollering right along with her, squeezing her hand and pointing out some of his favorite landmarks.

The helicopter ride reminded Hannah of the terrifying rides at the fair. The ones she could never bring herself to brave as she sat enviously watching couples cling to each other with an equal balance of fear and love as their world spun out of control. She was finally seeing that’s what relationships were—finding someone to hold onto in the chaos and hoping they wouldn’t let go.

Their awe-inspiring flight ended with Hannah and Harrison landing safely on a giant yacht. Hannah recognized it instantly. It was a fixture at Boston Harbor, dwarfing all the other vessels. At 126 meters it was hard to miss. Hannah shaded her eyes reading the vessel’s name. Coalescence. She’d grown up seeing it at the harbor; always assuming it was some sort of ritzy tourist cruise line.

“We’re having dinner here?” she asked bewildered as Harrison took her hand and helped her out of the helicopter.

“Yes. And don’t worry, we’re still technically in Boston. We won’t leave the harbor.”

He led her to the empty cream and gray lounge. A cozy table for two had been set up next to the massive windows, giving them a gorgeous view of the glowing lights of the harbor. A loud blast from the ship’s horn startled Hannah and she noticed the lights of the city began to move as they drifted away.

She gazed around at the empty lounge. “Are we going out by ourselves?”

“The crew’s on board. But yes, no other passengers.” Harrison took note of her shock. “Unless you’re uncomfortable being alone with me.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just . . . you didn’t have to rent out the whole boat just for us.”

He smirked and looked down, cheeks reddening. “I didn’t rent it. It’s my father’s yacht.”

“Oh. Coalescence! I get it now. I guess I should have put that together.”

Harrison grinned and signaled for the waiter who appeared out of nowhere. He poured them both mineral water and brought menus.

Hannah was at a loss for words. She knew the Cohl’s were wealthy, but this was beyond comprehension. They were having dinner on their own floating city. How could she have anything in common with someone who could arrange this on a whim?

“This was too much wasn’t it?” Harrison asked after ordering for them both.

“No. I . . .” she didn’t know what to say. Dinner on a private yacht wasn’t something Hannah was prepared for.

“Shit. He was right.”

“Who?”

“Don’t get mad.”

“About what?”

“I asked Cody about you.”

“What?”

“He and I aren’t exactly friends but I wanted to make sure you guys were over before I asked you out. He assured me there was nothing between you.”

A pang of hurt pierced Hannah’s heart. Nothing, that’s what she was to Cody.

“I asked for dinner tips and he said to play it cool, that you wouldn’t like anything fancy.”

“What does Cody know? I can be fancy!” she blurted out.

Harrison held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up. It’s just I don’t want to start out on the wrong foot, keeping things from you.”

Guilt dried Hannah’s throat and she took a gulp of her Chardonnay. It didn’t help. The oaky flavor tasted like tree bark sliding down her throat. “What else did Cody have to say about me?”

“Nothing. Honestly, let’s leave Cody out of this. I think we’re doing pretty well on our own.”

They made small talk through dinner, but Hannah’s mind kept snapping back to Cody. She was impressed he hadn’t told Harrison about her ulterior motives. But she would have to talk to Cody and swear him to secrecy, because she was starting to actually like Harrison. And she didn’t want Cody to ruin things. Plus, a tiny part of Hannah hated that Cody had been discussing her, like an old coat he was passing off. Calling her ordinary, not something to dress up and take out.

After dinner Harrison took Hannah on a tour of the yacht. She was amazed at the extravagance of it all.

“A movie theater? Seriously? Who needs a movie theater when you have views of the ocean?” she asked as they toured the private theater room.

“And you haven’t even seen the best view! Come on,” Harrison took Hannah by the hand and pulled her excitedly behind him. He was like a kid at Christmas on the yacht. It was obvious that he was passionate about the water as he spouted off nautical words that meant nothing to Hannah, and filled her head with stories of the exotic places he’d sailed to.

Perhaps it was the intoxicating luxury of the yacht or maybe the wine, but Hannah couldn’t help herself, she let her imagination run wild and she trotted after Harrison. Why couldn’t this fantasy world be true? Maybe he really did want to spend time with her. Maybe they’d even sail to adventurous places together.

They burst into a two-story room and Hannah gasped at its unfathomable beauty. Floor to ceiling windows framed the posh white bedroom. A plush king sized bed rested in the center of the clear second floor balcony. Harrison pulled Hannah up the clear spiral staircase and plopped down on the bed.

He patted the spot next to him. “This is where you get the best views.”

Hannah sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed taking in the rainbow of city lights reflecting off the water. “It’s gorgeous.”

Harrison flopped onto his back and looked up at Hannah. “You’re gorgeous.”

She blushed as he reached up to stroke a tendril of her blonde hair.

“You surprise me, Hannah. Not many girls do.”

“I can say the same about you.”

Harrison rose to his elbows. Their faces invaded each other’s space. Hannah could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. Their eyes met for a moment, just before their lips did. Hannah let Harrison take control, allowing herself to be lost in a momentary flurry of passion. Lips, tongues, hands—all fumbling in a hungry desire for each other. Waves of heat radiated through her as Harrison tore off his shirt and pulled hers away too. He kissed her again, pressing her into the bed, his body firm against hers. He tugged down her bra straps. The intimacy made her freeze. She wasn’t ready. It was all going too fast.

“Wait,” she begged, breathlessly.

“What’s wrong,” Harrison panted.

“Don’t you want to talk more?”

“I like it better when we don’t talk,” he purred trailing kisses down her neck to her breasts.

She pushed him away and vaulted off the bed, pacing near the stairs like a caged animal.

“Hannah?”

“I’m sorry. I thought I was ready for this, but I’m not,” she choked out. Her face reddened with embarrassment.

Harrison climbed off the bed and padded over, her shirt in hand. “Here,” he said softly tugging it back over her head. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Hannah. I’m just happy to spend time with you.”

“Really?” she asked looking up timidly, her head poking through the neck of her clingy white sweater.

Harrison grinned and kissed her messy hair. “Really.” He put on his shirt and took Hannah’s hand. “Come on. We’re heading back to port and you have to see the stars from the observation deck.”