AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” His voice sounded weird, but he couldn’t help it. His heart was pounding. He was dreading what Hannah would say to him – if it was even her – but at the same time, he was thrilled at the prospect of seeing her again.
“No clever comeback?” Molly asked. “I expected you to at least tell me that she wouldn’t be disappointed.”
Grady shrugged. If Molly’s friend Hannah was his Hannah from the airport, then he’d already disappointed her and – despite his misguided excitement – he wasn’t looking forward to how she’d react to seeing him again. Shit!
Molly’s smile faded. “I was only joking with you. I just meant that she’d be disappointed if she took a liking to you and then found out that you only have room for one lady in your life – one who happens to be eight years old. And if I’m not mistaken, that little lady will be walking into the kitchen right about now. I just saw Mel’s car.”
Grady looked out the window and then back at Molly. He needed to get his shit together. If Molly’s Hannah was his Hannah, then he’d have to face her soon enough. But Ava was more important, and he needed to get back to the kitchen and get her settled.
~ ~ ~
“Molly! You look amazing! Motherhood suits you.” Hannah wrapped her old friend up in a hug and squeezed her tight.
“Thanks. You’re the one who looks amazing. You always do. Come on, sit down, I want to hear everything. I can’t believe that you’re back. It’s been forever since you even visited. Are you seriously going to stay?”
Hannah couldn’t keep her smile in. “I am. Jacob finally talked me into it.”
“I’m so happy! We need to catch you up with everyone. Chelsea was mad that she couldn’t make it today. I told her that we’ll all get together soon.” Molly grinned. “I’m kind of glad I get you to myself first, though. What’s going on with you?”
Hannah drew in a big breath and blew it out. “Nothing major. I was getting tired of life in LA. It’s different there, you know? People are different, and for a while I think I bought into it. I got caught up in the superficial.” She made a face. “I had a couple of disastrous relationships and after the last one ended I just …” She shrugged. “Jacob had been bugging me to come home for a visit and when I got here, he convinced me to stay.”
“How is he?” Molly asked. “We don’t see him much.”
“You know what he’s like. He’s all busy running the estate, running the company, being perfect.”
Molly laughed. “Yeah. He always was perfect.” She looked around with a small frown on her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just expect better service in here.” She grinned at Hannah. “I thought our server would be here as soon as we sat down. I think you’re going to like him. He’s not just a server, he’s my manager and a good friend, too.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Remember I said that I had a couple of disastrous relationships? I wasn’t joking. I am off men. I’m sure your manager is a great guy, but don’t go getting any ideas.”
Molly laughed. “I wasn’t getting any ideas – not like that anyway. Even if you wanted a man, you couldn’t have Grady. I’m just looking forward to introducing you to him. He’s one of our group of friends. I think you’re going to love him.”
Hannah just stared at her. It couldn’t be the same guy – could it? It certainly sounded like it.Even if you wanted a man, you couldn’t have Grady.She’d done her best to push any thoughts of the sexy surfer out of her head since she got home. But she hadn’t been entirely successful. She was mad at him. Of course, she was. And she pitied his poor wife. But that hadn’t been enough to stop images of his smile popping into her head every now and then.
“There he is!” Molly grinned and beckoned to someone behind Hannah.
She held her breath, but she couldn’t wait. Her heart pounded as she turned to look back over her shoulder, and there he was. Grady.
To her surprise, he met her gaze and held it. In that moment, she saw the guy she’d thought he was. No. She couldn’t let herself start seeing him as she wanted to see him. He wasn’t the good guy she wanted to believe he was. Not only was he married, but he also tried to pick up women in airports.
“Grady, meet Hannah. Hannah, this is Grady.”
He’d reached the table now and nodded at her. She nodded back but couldn’t think of anything to say. She should probably tell Molly what had happened, but she’d do that later.
Molly gave them both a puzzled look. “Grady’s been a godsend since I had Luca. He runs this place more than I do these days.”
Hannah forced a smile.
Molly turned to Grady. “And Hannah and I grew up together. You’ll no doubt be seeing a lot of her now that she’s back.”
Grady met her gaze again, but still didn’t speak.
Molly was looking even more puzzled. She looked from Hannah to Grady and back again, then she got to her feet. Grady stepped back to let her out, but she took hold of his arm and steered him into the seat she’d just vacated.
“I’m going to excuse myself for a minute.”
