Page 136 of Spring Break Fling

She gave me a sly smile. “Oh, it was more of a controlled demolition than a fire, thank you very much.”

“Fair.”

Her expression softened as she gazed out at the ocean. “Honestly? I’m done chasing things I don’t care about. I’ve spent years trying to be what other people expect—perfect job, perfect resume, perfect life. But none of it made me happy. So, I’m starting over. I’m going to figure out what I want, and for once, I’m going to do it my way.”

“About damn time,” I said, nudging her with my shoulder.

“And you?” she asked, her voice gentle. “Are you working at the shop again?”

I smiled and shook my head. “No. I’m opening a new shop.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” I continued, feeling a surge of pride. “We went to check out a place the other day. I wanted Marcus’s opinion. He knows a lot more about the business side of things. He offered to partner up with me.”

“After he fired you?” she asked.

I nodded. “I know, right? I was shocked too. He’s putting up the capital and it will be his name on the door, but I run the shop. The spot’s over on the west side of town—bigger, better layout. And there’s a small gallery attached where local artists can exhibit their work. I want it to be a place that supports and promotes all kinds of art, not just tattoos.”

Her hand found mine, squeezing it tightly. “Nikko, that’s amazing! I didn’t realize you were moving forward with that idea. I remember you talking about it, dreaming about it, but…”

“But you thought it was just one of those pipe dreams?” I finished for her with a chuckle. “Honestly, I almost thought so too. But then, after everything that went down, I figured now was as good a time as any to turn dreams into reality.”

“I’m proud of you,” she said. “You must be thrilled.”

“Yeah,” I said, a grin tugging at my lips. “It’s wild. Never thought I’d be running my own place, but it feels right, you know? Like I’m finally doing something that’s mine.”

She looked at me with something that felt dangerously close to pride. My chest tightened. I didn’t think anyone had ever looked at me like that before. Love. Pride. Those were not two things I was used to.

Hannah’s face softened, the moonlight catching her features in a way that made my heart skip. “I’ve always known you had it in you,” she murmured, pulling me closer. “You’re going to make it something incredible.”

The waves lapped gently against the shore as we sat in silence, each lost in our thoughts. The future suddenly seemed a lot less daunting with her by my side.

We talked for hours about everything and nothing, until the stars blanketed the night sky. It was one of those rare nights with no clouds.

“Want to tell me what happened in New York?” I asked her.

She groaned. “Do we have to talk about that now?” she asked, turning to face me with a playful grimace.

“It’s just curiosity,” I said, nudging her shoulder lightly. “And maybe a bit of concern. And maybe I’m wondering whose ass I need to kick.”

Hannah sighed, brushing her hair back from her face, letting the ocean breeze catch it. “It was nothing dramatic, really. I just realized that the life I was leading wasn’t mine. It was expectations I set for myself but never truly wanted.”

“And what about you?” I prodded gently. “What does Hannah want?”

“That’s just it, Nikko,” she said, looking back at the sea. “I’m still figuring that out. But I know it’s not a high-rise office or cocktail parties where nobody listens to each other. I want real conversations, real connections… like this.” She squeezed my hand. “I think my upbringing is rearing it’s ugly head.”

“How so?”

“My parents raised us without schedules and expectations. The only expectation was to be happy. They were constantly encouraging us to be free. They wanted us to try new things and explore.”

“And the life you created for yourself was all about rules and working to meet others’ expectations.”

“Exactly,” she replied. “I kept pushing myself into this mold that I thought I needed to fit. It worked for a while, or at least I convinced myself it did. But it wasn’t true to who I am.”

It was beautiful to see her like this—raw and real, a stark contrast to the polished facade I’d first met. This was the feral Hannah. This was the woman she was always meant to be.

“So, you came back to reconnect with yourself?” I asked gently.