Chapter 11

Logan

When I got the text message from my father regarding his personal assistant and that it's Hannah, I cursed my day full of meetings and vow that I’ll connect with her before she leaves for the day.

She’s one of the few remaining in the office, and like a stalker I follow her to the elevator. She’s texting on her phone and not paying attention— until we’re both on the elevator.

“Hello, Hannah.” Her body freezes, and her eyes widen, calling me closer.

“I'd like to take you somewhere.”

“Hey, Logan. Sure, where to?”

As soon as we’re outside, I automatically place my hand on the small of her back, and desire runs through my body, straight to my sleepy cock. I quickly ignore it and guide her down the street to a nearby cafe. She’s quiet, and I catch her looking at me.

We get to the cafe and sit outside. When the server brings us our menus, I set mine down and wait for Hannah to decide on what she wants.

“So, what would you like to order?”

“The passion fruit tea and the fruit and cheese platter. I had a rather big lunch thanks to Eden so I’m not too hungry.”

“That sounds good. I’ll order the same.” I tell her, and get the server’s attention and put in our orders. Once he leaves, I turn my attention back to Hannah. “I like the idea of you working at my father's company. It's a great place to grow. There are people who've been working there for almost thirty years, including a few people who started with my father.”

“That's truly comforting to know. I like him. He's really nice, and he helped me understand the company and his expectations. Sure, I'm just an assistant…”

“You're more than that, Hannah. Don't ever think you're just an assistant. You bring something to the company my father sees, and I believe you'll grow and climb the career ladder.”

“You think so?” Her cheeks turn pink and it’s the cutest thing. “That's really sweet of you to say, but you don't have to pretend to be nice to me.”

“Hannah?”

“Yeah?”

“I'm not pretending. Why do you think that?” I abruptly ask.

“Think what?”

“That I'm pretending to be nice to you.”

Our drinks are placed on the table and Hannah grabs for hers and I watch her place her straw in the cup as she leans down, wraps her lips around the straw, and drinks.

“I don't know, to be honest. I just said it. It really doesn't matter, anyway.”

Her sudden disregard of the topic doesn't sit well with me. I'd like to know where her head's at and why she doesn't want to explain herself.

“Whatever you think matters.”

She toys with her glass and looks up before she says, “Well, the other night I thought things were going well, and then you changed. You pulled away from me and shut me out.”

“There's a lot about me you don't know.”

“Well, we're here together,” she declares, making an obvious point, “so explain what happened.”

“I know you said I can talk to you, and I appreciate it very much. There are some things I’m not fully ready to talk about. I wish I can bare myself to you so you can understand. At this time, I can’t.” I lean forward, my fingers barely grazing hers. “I like you. You’re fun to be around and I enjoy our talks.”

“I like our talks too.” She smiles and leans back in her chair.

When our appetizers are served, I ask her more about her day and notice how animated she is, talking about the meetings and how my father’s helping her.

When the bill is paid, I walk her to her car and the words about asking her to dinner are at the tip of my tongue. I’d like to spend more time with her. When I turn to look at her, I can’t stop staring into her deep emerald colored eyes. Her head cocks a little to the side and I notice the honey color iris of her eyes. It’s beautiful. My fingers slip under her chin and I turn her head my way so I can see her eyes again. My touch surprises her and she moves away from me. It’s a good thing that she does. I have no right to touch her, and I’m glad she stopped me.

“Have dinner with me tonight. You said you'd show me around town as soon as I got settled in, so tonight's perfect.” Her face heats up when those words leave her lips.

It’s as though she can read my mind. She’s taking what I’m thinking, what I want to say, and is saying it for me.

“I’d like that very much, but not tonight. If you don’t mind I’d like to take you out some other time.”

She nods. “Okay sounds good.”

When I gaze into her eyes, she's looking back at me, waiting for more answers, answers I can't give her. Neither of us says anything, and I notice her hand reaching for her car door handle. She wants to leave and I need to let her. I need to move aside, open her car door for her, and then close it.

Only I don’t move and find my hand on hers. I’m a selfish man and her magnetic pull is too much for me.

I step closer to her until her body hits the side of her car. “I’ll see you soon, friend.” I lean down until my lips are inches from hers. My voice is a low whisper, and I can smell her sweetness. I wonder if she smells sweet all over. A sense of nervousness pulls me back, and I give her a smile. “Have a good night.”

“You too,” she tells me before I walk away and leave her to catch her breath.

Everything’s foggy in my mind right now and I love it.

Before heading out for the night, I drank half a bottle of whiskey and took a taxi to meet Cal at the lounge.

“You good?”

I look to see Cal standing next to me at the bar. “Yeah.”

“Be careful, man. Seriously. Don't leave here and try to get your own ride. You're too drunk to know what you're doing. If you want to leave then I'll call Lincoln to come get you.”

“I'm good.” I reassure him.

After an hour, I'm feeling the full effects from the alcohol. When I sit down in the lounge area and spread out my arms to get comfortable, a leggy blonde woman comes over and sits down on my lap.

“Hi, baby. Haven't seen you here before.”

Her cheap perfume gives me a slight headache and when she presses her chapped lips on my neck I move away.

“Just here to relax.”

When her hand presses on my chest and the other rests on my stomach, she lifts her leg over the other and thrusts her body against mine.

“So do your plans include me tonight?”

I turn to face her and let her know what I think. “That's not happening. If you can get off me I'd appreciate that. You aren't my type.”

The nameless woman's eyes narrow and she pushes off me and stalks off. A few people come in the lounge and sit near me. They try to talk to me and engage me into conversation. I nod and smile, but my mind goes to Hannah. I wonder what she's doing tonight.

Hannah.

Instead of coming out here with Cal I should've taken her offer and took her out to dinner. She's right. We're friends.

I excuse myself from the group of people and walk toward the bar. I look around and I don't see Cal. When I don’t see him or anyone I know, I head out and hail a taxi.

“Where to, boss?” he asks.

I give him the directions to the cemetery. It’s only a short drive there. I stumble out of the taxi and hand him a one hundred dollar bill.

“I need you to stay here for a few minutes. I won’t be long. If you wait, then there’s another hundred waiting for you.”

He salutes me. “Sure thing, boss.”

“Thanks, man.” I tap on the driver’s side door and make my way down the path toward Shannon’s grave.

My parents come to see her whenever they get the chance. I notice the fresh roses and sit down, my back against her tombstone because it’s too difficult to read the words I fight to fully accept.

“If you’re watching me right now I’m sure you’re shaking your head,” I start to say. “Things haven’t been the greatest.” I go on about the company, being home, Lincoln and Eden, and then Hannah.

“She’s sweet and I think you’d like her. There’s a pull I feel when I’m with her. As many times as I tell myself to be her friend I think I want more, but how do I know it’s time to move on? I’m not trying to replace you, I never could. Is it okay to move on?

I’m greeted with silence in the darkness. My eyes blur and all I want is to lay down. The drunken haze swallows me and I know I should get up and go home. My mind is in and out, and I notice how quiet it is tonight, and how clear the skies are. Everything around me is peaceful.

My vision slightly blurs again and my stomach churns. A painful tightness closes my throat. My breathing becomes ragged and I no longer am aware of where I am. I tip my head back hard against the cold stone and instant pain shoots through my head down my body. Blackness overcomes me and I can't focus anymore. I crumble to the ground as I see black.