Page 21 of Under the Radar

Dom smiled. “I’ll help. With the hall leading to the kitchen, that’s a lot of painting area. Many hands and all.”

She smiled at him, laying her hand on his arm. “That would be awesome! My mom is going to help too. She’s going to be in charge of taping, bottom trim, and food.” Her eyes danced. “She’s pretty little and hates heights, so she sticks to ground level.”

Dom laughed. “Works for me. I don’t need the top trimmed. I’m great at cutting in. We’ll make a good team.” He paused. “Your dad coming along too?”

Hannah’s smile fell. “No, he died when I was younger. It’s just my mom and me.”

“Sorry, kiddo.”

“Thanks.” She smiled again, although it looked forced. “I’ll go call Mom and tell her it’s on.” She rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dom.”

I felt an odd feeling as I watched her kiss him. It was fast and friendly, yet somehow I didn’t like it. Hannah left the room, and Dom looked at me with a wide smile and he chuckled. “Relax, kid. She was just being sweet. She’s young enough to be my daughter, and even if she weren’t, it’s obvious you two are getting close.”

I blinked. “Is it?”

He threw back his head in laughter. “With the touches and the smiles at dinner? How she was worried about you being on the roof? The way she’s making this place homey? Kid, you got yourself way more than a roommate.” He grasped my shoulder and shook it. “Open your eyes. She likes you the same way you like her. Take it slow and treat her well. I think you got a good one there.”

He left with a wave, and I wandered down the hall. Hannah was unpacking a box, and I grinned at how different the room already looked with her furniture in place and a throw rug on the floor beside her bed. When it had been my room, I’d had a bed, a dresser, and a side table. That was it. I rubbed my chin. That was how my room still looked. I had just moved what I had into the bigger bedroom, not really caring. But seeing Hannah’s space made me want to fix up mine too.

I rapped on the doorframe, and she looked up.

“Hey.”

“The room looks really nice.” I complimented her.

She looked around, pleased. “It does. Once I hang a few pictures and some curtains, it’ll be great.”

“And your mom is coming this weekend?”

“If that’s okay.”

“Of course. I’ll be at the garage until noon or so, then I’ll come home and help. Dom will too.”

“Great. Mom and I will tape and get the room ready. With four of us, the room will go fast.”

I grinned. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Maxx or Stefano showed up either. Or Charly and Gabby.”

She looked delighted. “They are all so awesome. You’re so lucky to have them, Chase.”

“You have them too, now.”

She hugged my arm. “Then I’m lucky too.”

* * *

She had another nightmare. I heard her from my room, and I hurried next to her bed, finding her in the same curled-up position as the night before. Tonight, I saw tears on her face, but her whimpers and distress eased when I stroked her head and murmured quiet words to her that seemed to soothe her.

“I’m here, Hannah. Right here, baby. You’re safe.”

I worried about her all the next day, but she seemed fine when I got home. I grilled some burgers, and she tossed a salad. It was easy and comfortable. After dinner, she made me look at the paint swatches she had taped to the wall in the living room, asking my opinion.

“Um, they all look…fine?” I offered.

She tapped one. “Too green, I think.” Another tap. “And this one is more purple. I wanted a nice coffee-mocha. My sofa is taupe, yours is chocolate leather. We want it to complement both.”

I narrowed my eyes and studied them. I touched the end one. “I like this.”

She hummed in agreement. “Yes. The perfect blend. You have a good eye.”