Hannah hummed happily as she transferred the clothes from the washer to the dryer. Chase had spent the whole weekend holed up with her in her house, only leaving briefly to go home and grab some clothes.

It had been nothing short of heavenly. They’d been in their own little bubble, and they’d felt like a family. They’d felt permanent, and it was glorious.

She was starting to really trust in the fact that what she and Chase had was real. He’d been so honest and sincere when he told her loved her and wanted her forever. She’d felt his declaration down to her soul. Everything he said was the truth.

And she couldn’t deny she loved him, too. This wasn’t the crush she had on him when they were teenagers. This was the grown up, all consuming, fiery love a woman had for a man.

It didn’t scare her anymore. She knew he felt the same way, and she wasn’t in this alone. She couldn’t help feeling nervous over how quickly it had happened, how fast he became her whole world. But it felt right, down to her bones.

The only dark spot on the weekend was the incessant calls from her mother. Gloria clearly didn’t get the clue from Hannah’s smashed glass and hasty exit that she was done with them. She’d only answered once on Saturday morning to confirm she wasn’t going to the party. Saying her mother had been pissed was an understatement. Gloria ranted and threatened to disown her, but really, it wasn’t a threat at all. It’s what Hannah wanted, so it was more like an enticement to stay away.

After that, she silenced the ringer on her phone, and she still hadn’t turned it on. She’d checked, though. Forty-eight missed calls. When Gloria wanted something, she didn’t give up. And she didn’t doubt for a second that she hadn’t heard the last from her mother.

The doorbell rang and Hannah frowned as she turned the dryer on. She couldn’t imagine who it could be. Chase was here, fixing the shelving unit in the bathroom, and she didn’t think her friends from Red Moon would show up unannounced.

She opened the door with a polite smile that instantly froze. Hunter Donahue was on her front step, dripping arrogance and money. He hooked his sunglasses on the top of his professionally highlighted hair and pushed inside without a word.

She turned around and watched him, stunned, and unable figure out what the hell he was doing here.

“Quaint,” he said in a condescending tone, after he looked over her home. “But it’s so far beneath you. We’ll be changing that soon.”

“What are you doing here?” she finally pushed out. “How did you even know where I live?”

“Your parents, of course. They said you were ready to apologize for the way you treated me before. I understand you might not have been in your right mind at the time, Hannah, but really, that was unacceptable. I’m ready to forgive you. A match between us, uniting our families, would be brilliant.”

“Are you crazy?” Hannah asked him, disbelief and no small amount of anger filling her at his words. If anyone deserved an apology for how things ended, it was her.

Hunter frowned at her. “Really, Hannah, I’m willing to forgive past behavior, but I won’t tolerate any more outbursts. Now, here’s the plan. You will quit your job and move out of this deplorable house, and come back to L.A. with me. You will act and dress accordingly, and after a suitable time, we will get married. I really am glad you came to your senses. Think of how powerful and unstoppable our families will be once we’re linked.”

“That’s not going to happen, Hunter. You can get the hell out of my house now,” she said, voice tight with anger.

Hunter narrowed his eyes at her and took a step toward her. “I don’t think you understand, Hannah. This is happening whether you like it or not. I have a lot riding on this with my career, and I will stop at nothing to make it happen. You don’t have a choice.”

“Is there a problem here?”

Relief instantly flooded Hannah at the sound of Chase’s voice. She looked over to see him leaning against the wall, casually wiping his hands on a rag, deceptively at ease as he glared daggers at Hunter with lightened, yellowish eyes. Hannah frowned, looking closer, but when Hunter spoke again, all thoughts of changing eye color fled.

“No, there’s not a problem,” Hunter said, eyeing Chase contemptuously. “This is none of your business. Go back to working on whatever you were working on.” He turned to Hannah. “Really, Hannah, if you needed to hire a handyman to work on this dump, you could have found much better than a MacKeltar.”

“There’s no one better than a MacKeltar, and I want him here,” she replied, finally finding her backbone. She moved to Chase’s side and slipped an arm around his waist. “And he’s not the handyman. He’s so much more.”

“He’s nothing but trash, Hannah,” Hunter spit out in disgust. “You can leave now, MacKeltar. I don’t know what you think you’re going to gain here, preying on Hannah’s lack of common sense, but you can get out. Hannah is mine.”

Chase stiffened and Hannah put her hand on his chest, trying to calm him. His chest was vibrating, and she frowned as she leaned in, listening hard. He sounded like he was growling, but she dismissed it for now, turning back to Hunter.

“I love him, Hunter. You’re not even half the man he is, and you and I are never going to happen. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

Hunter’s eyes widened and then narrowed angrily. “You’re not the woman you used to be, Hannah. I’ll leave, because you would be nothing but an embarrassment to me now. Listen to the coarse language you’re using. You’ve changed, and not for the better. Your parents will hear about this, and your father can kiss my family’s campaign support goodbye.”

Hunter turned on his heel and stomped out, slamming the door behind him. Silence filled the house as they listened to a car start and then peel away, and as soon as it was clear he was gone, the vibration in Chase’s chest stopped.

He turned to her with a grin. “Look at you! I’m so proud of you, baby. You stood up for what you wanted, and didn’t let him intimidate you at all. You’re something else.” He grabbed her up and swung her around, and Hannah threw her head back with a carefree laugh. He was right. She’d grown up so much, become so much better at going after the life she wanted to lead.

She was no longer cowed by those who thought they knew best for her, by those who were stronger than she was and could bend her to their will. She was the strong one now. She’d started this journey over a year ago, but it had taken being with Chase to get her where she truly needed to be.

He was so good for her, in every way, and she was a lucky, lucky girl that he wanted her like she wanted him.

Hannah grabbed his neck and pulled him down for a heated kiss, and then took his hand in hers and pulled him to the bedroom.

This called for a celebration.