Page 26 of Unhinged

Audrey’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Yes, I’m so sorry about that. How are you doing, by the way?”

Hannah shrugged. “Better. I’m still disappointed, in both her and myself, but I’m coming to terms with it.”

“Good for you. I’m glad you understand it wasn’t your fault.”

Hannah swallowed a bite of salad before clearing her throat. “Anyway, after her service I went back to my office. I was upset and Luke—the security guard—found me. We talked for a few minutes and…” Heat flooded her cheeks at the memory of his hands roaming her back, his lips on hers. “We kind of… kissed.”

A huge grin spread over Audrey’s mouth. “Really? It’s been a long time since you’ve been interested in a guy.”

“He asked me out.”

“And?” Audrey stared at her. “What did you say?”

“Well…” Hannah glanced out the window and watched a bird flit from bush to bush in search of food. She finally turned back to Audrey. “I’ve kind of been avoiding him.”

Audrey studied her. “I know it’s hard for you to trust guys. I’d probably feel the same way if I were you. But that was a long time ago. Maybe it’s time to move on. If you really like this guy—Luke—why not go for it?”

It was the same advice Andrew had given her. Except Andrew obviously thought he should be the logical choice, not someone else. Luke made Hannah feel things. What, exactly, she wasn’t sure… But she wanted to find out.

He’d been a complete gentleman and, though she’d felt his eyes following her around the health center over the last few days, he hadn’t pushed her. She caught glimpses of him from time to time as he patrolled the building, but she hadn’t worked up the nerve to talk to him again.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

The morning following their encounter, Hannah found a note on her desk. A phone number had been scribbled along the bottom under the words “Debt Collector.” It had made her smile, and she’d tucked it in the top drawer of her desk, only to pull it out several times that week.

She wished she had the confidence to do as Audrey said and take what she wanted. She’d hidden a part of herself away for so long she wasn’t sure she even knew how to be a desirable, attractive woman. She knew the relaxed, dark suits didn’t look good, but they were comfortable. And safe. They provided a layer of protection against men who only wanted sex.

Most couldn’t see beyond the baggy fabric to the person underneath. Except… Luke had. He’d been the first man to look at her—to really see her—in a long time.

“I’ve been thinking I might go shopping,” she said slowly. “Maybe get some new clothes.”

Audrey was silent for a moment as she regarded her. “For you? Or for him?”

Hannah’s spine tightened defensively. “I’m doing this for me.”

“I understand.” Audrey nodded. “I think that dressing in something more… flattering… will really help to boost your confidence.”

Hannah tried to push down the sting of hurt Audrey’s comment had inflicted. “I know.”

“You know I mean that in the best way possible,” Audrey added softly. “It’s been almost ten years. Maybe it’s time to stop hiding.”

It was true; Hannah had been hiding. She’d closed herself off for so long that she’d forgotten who she really was. She wanted Luke to be attracted to her. She wanted him to desire her. But she was tired of being restrained, defined by her past. The idea of moving on, putting it all behind her, was scary and exciting all at the same time. Years ago she’d been confident and happy. And she desperately wanted to be that person again.

CHAPTER

TWELVE

“Are you sure this isn’t too tight?”

“Are you kidding me?” Audrey circled her. “Women would kill for a body like yours. If I had half the curves you do, maybe my husband wouldn’t have cheated on me.”

Hannah turned to her, sympathy swelling up and making her chest feel tight. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why?” Audrey shrugged. “It’s really a blessing in disguise. I was young and dumb, and getting married was a mistake. It took me a while to realize it, but we’re both better off.”

“Is he being a jerk about it?”

“A little bit, but my lawyer is a total shark and the proceedings are going really well. We’ve determined that Scott’s going to buy out my half of the house and I get to keep Peanut,” she said of her tiny Bichon Frise. “We’re still negotiating what to do with the practice. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am today to let him take that away, too.”