AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I always believed them. I just assumed there was something wrong with me for not experiencing it.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ve thought that, too. About myself, I mean. Not about you.”
I touch Henn’s cheek. “I love you, Henny. I’m so glad you’re all mine.”
“I am, and I lost the receipt, so no returns-ies.” When I giggle, Henn takes my hand and kisses it. Normally, Henn would flex his hand a la Mr. Darcy after doing that. But this time, after taking a long deep breath, he looks up with dark, soulful eyes. There’s no joking around to be detected in those eyes. Only an ocean of love and adoration. “Words can be cheap a lot of the time,” he whispers. His eyes drift to my necklace. “It can be the same with gifts. If they’re not symbols of genuine feelings, then they’re empty tokens. Meaningless. Fraudulent, even.” He smiles. “I just want you to know, without a doubt, my words and gifts are symbols of the deep love I feel for you. I belong to you, Hannah. And that means I’ll always do anything and everything in my power to make all your dreams come true.”
24
HANNAH
“Go Henny! Go Henny!”
That’s what everyone on the dance floor at Jonas and Sarah’s raucous wedding reception is shouting while encircling my silly, drunken, dancing fool of an adorable boyfriend. A moment ago, when the live band onstage kicked into high gear, that silly man dropped to the floor like he’d been hit with a stun gun and started performing what appears to be some sort of enthusiastic breakdancing maneuver. In record speed, a chanting crowd formed around Henn, led by Josh and Reed Rivers—which only spurred Henn on even more to turn up the heat on his crazy gyrations.
As everyone chants around me, I scan the faces nearest to me in the circle—Kat, Josh, Jonas, Sarah, and Reed—and their expressions of pure glee are a sight to see. This moment, this night, this life I’ve found with Henny . . . All of it is better than any dream I could have posted to my board only a few months ago.
As the song comes to an end, Henn bolts up from the floor and takes a dramatic, sweeping bow, at which point everyone in the crowd cheers and applauds him wildly. As the band kicks off a new song, the circle disintegrates. As people begin dancing with partners or in small groups again, Henn takes my hand and twirls me around, his face a portrait of pure joy.
“You were on fire!” I shout above the music.
“Because I’m so happy to be here with my Beautiful Bananaaaa!” he bellows in reply.
When the song ends, I motion toward the bathrooms on the far side of the ballroom, letting Henn know that’s where I’m headed. In reply, he motions toward the bar area, letting me know he’ll grab us another round while I’m gone.
Off we go in opposite directions.
Outside the bathroom, there’s a long line, so I take my place at the back of it. In front of me, there’s a gorgeous brunette around my age. She’s got long, dark hair, sparkling brown eyes, high cheekbones and full lips, and the most slamming body I’ve ever seen in real life. If her curves in that clingy dress make my eyes pop out of my head, then what kind of reaction does she evoke from heterosexual men?
Is she a supermodel? An actress? One of Sarah’s classmates at law school? Is she here as someone’s date? If so, whose? Reed was seated at my table for dinner, so I know he’s here stag tonight. But he’s the only age-appropriate single dude at this wedding with the swagger and power to pull a woman like this. Oh, god. Is she here as the date of Jonas and Josh’s uber-wealthy Uncle William? No, no, I think I saw him seated with someone around his age at dinner. Well, shit. I’m dying to know this gorgeous woman’s back story.
“Hello,” I say brightly to her.
“Hello.”
She’s giving off a warm and approachable vibe, so I forge ahead.
“Having fun tonight?”
“So much fun. You?”
“I’m having a blast. How do you know Jonas and/or Sarah?”
“I’ve known Jonas for years. I’m his brother’s personal assistant.”
“T-Rod!” I blurt excitedly. I’m using the nickname I’ve heard Josh use several times while telling a story that involves his personal assistant. Holy shit. Whenever Josh has mentioned his assistant, I’ve always pictured a frumpy, middle-aged woman, not a knockout who could literally walk a Victoria’s Secret runway.
“That’s me,” she says, laughing. She extends her hand. “Theresa Rodriguez.”
I shake her hand. “Hannah Milliken. My boyfriend is—”
“Henn.”
“Yes!”
“I’ve heard all about Henn’s fabulous girlfriend, Hannah Banana Montana Milliken, from Josh. Apparently, Kat takes full credit for setting you and Henn up.”
“As she should. Kat guaranteed we’d be amazing together, and she was right. We went out to dinner with Josh and Kat in Vegas and had crazy sparks from minute one.”
