AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever, man. You’re too uptight.”
“Maybe so. But I’ve got my reasons,” Will said, realizing how true that was.
Will nudged the discarded bag with his foot, as though he were simply a good Samaritan, trying to clean up the park. The USB drive slid out easily into his hand before he tossed the bag into the trash can.
“Got it,” he said to Pierce. “Let’s head back. Take the scenic route,” he said, implying they needed to make sure they weren’t followed back to the safe house. Maybe the extended drive would give him some time to come to grips with the bomb that Joey had dropped on him.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Hannah had turnedon reruns of her favorite sitcom and was sitting in the living room with Tank, enjoying the way his expression changed when the show was funny.
She couldn’t remember feeling this happy in years.
She was a little worried about Will, but Tank kept assuring her it was nothing dangerous.
She made herself a snack and contemplated cooking something later for dinner. But she was too keyed up to eat much right now or think about anything beyond the next conversation she would have with Will. The instant he walked in, she was going to sit him down and explain everything, set the record straight, and beg for his forgiveness.
Everything had gotten so far out of control, and she’d never meant to lie to Will about this. She’d certainly never meant to feel this way about him.
She wasn’t sure her heart would ever recover from the moments in the bedroom before Joey called. She’d been ready to tumble down whatever rabbit hole a kiss with Will Gilbert led to. She still was.
Although it was entirely possible that a bit of time and distance would have him reconsidering. Despite the kind words he’d declared as she teared up earlier, maybe he’d come to his senses. They were from different worlds. Guys like Will Gilbert didn’t fall for women like her.
Once he knew that she was a reporter, would it put an end to this crazy fantasy she was carrying around? Would he be able to forgive her? She didn’t know, but she couldn’t go on letting him think she was someone she wasn’t. Even if it meant the end of whatever this was, at least she’d know for sure where they stood.
“You and Will, huh?”
Hannah froze at Tank’s question. “What was that?”
He shrugged. “You can count on him, you know,” Tank said.
She nodded. That wasn’t at all the part she was worried about. “How long have you worked together?”
Tank looked up toward the ceiling to think. “About ten years, I guess.”
“Wow. You guys must be close after all that time.” She’d noticed their camaraderie but wasn’t sure if it was just part of the dynamic.
Tank shifted on the couch, leaning forward on his knees. “Look. Will doesn’t… he doesn’t let very many people in.”
Hannah felt about two inches tall at Tank’s words. “Oh? Why not?” she squeaked out.
“Not my place,” he grunted. The conversation was apparently over, because he leaned back and turned his eyes back to the television.
“Tank?” She waited for his eyes to flick back to her. “What if I made a mistake?”
He simply raised his eyebrows, an invitation to continue.
She hesitated, not sure how to tell him what she meant. “I care about him, but… there’s some things he doesn’t know about me.”
Tank looked back at the TV. “Then tell him,” he said.
Hannah exhaled, settling back into the couch. If only it were that simple.
* * *
Pierce went into the house ahead of Will. He took a seat on the small bench on the front stoop. He needed another minute, even though he’d spent the entire drive home thinking about how this was going to go.
He heard Tank’s low chuckle through the barely cracked door, and he could hear Hannah’s playful laughter as she interacted with his team. His jaw clenched. She’d fooled every single one of them.
