Page 86 of The Pink House

Hannah barreled out the back door and straight into a broad chest.

Strong hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her, then immediately dropped away.

“Hannah.”

“Charlie.”

They both spoke at the same time. “I was—”

Hannah laughed.

“You go first,” he said.

“I was on my way to see you.”

The smile that never failed to make her heart beat faster lifted his lips. “Funny thing. I was coming to see you.”

She tapped her temple with her index finger, her gaze never leaving his face. “Same wavelength.”

“I hope so.” Appearing suddenly unsure, he shifted from one foot to the other. “Hannah, I—”

“I know it’s early, but can I interest you in a piece of cake and some wine?”

A watchful look filled his eyes. “Sure.”

“You sit. I’ll be back in a sec.” Certain now, so very sure of the course she was about to take, Hannah went into the kitchen, cut two thin slices of cake, filled two glasses with a sparkling white Bordeaux she’d been wanting to try and put it all on a tray.

Charlie was waiting on the other side of the screen door. Pulling it open when she approached, he lifted the tray from her hands. “I’ve got this.”

Once he set the tray on the table between the two wicker chairs, he waited for her to sit before he did.

“I want to say I’m sorry for how I behaved the other night,” he said, shifting to more fully face her. “I read too much into a few outings and a few kisses. You never told me you wanted more. That was my hope, but that’s on me, not you.”

“I want more.”

Confusion flickered across his face. “You said you want to be friends. You made it clear that was all you wanted.”

Hannah surged to her feet, unable to sit. She moved to the porch rail and stared in the direction of the woods. “This has been a confusing year for me. Since Brian’s death, it’s been two steps forward, one step back in terms of my emotions.”

“I didn’t mean to pressure you—”

He stood beside her now, and she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “You didn’t. I enjoyed our time together immensely. I liked getting to know you. When I found myself enjoying my time with you so much, I started feeling guilty, as if I was being somehow disloyal, as if I hadn’t loved Brian as much as I thought I had.”

"I experienced some of that guilt, too.” Charlie blew out a breath. “Brian was my friend, my best friend from as far back as I can remember. Having these kinds of feelings for his wife—”

Hannah tightened her grip on his hand. “I know Brian meant what he said in the letter. He wants me to be happy. I know in my heart he’d want the same for you.”

“What are you saying, Hannah?”

“I’m saying I’d like us to continue to explore a relationship.” Hannah spoke deliberately, the words coming straight from her heart. “I’m saying let’s keep moving forward.”

“As friends?” His intense gaze remained riveted on her face.

“If that’s all you want. I’d like more.” She offered a tentative smile. “This time we’ve been given is a gift. I don’t want to squander it. I say let’s enjoy cake, conversation and maybe a ride in a sporty convertible every now and then and see where we end up.”

“You’ve got a deal. We could shake on it, but I have a better idea.” With a smile, Charlie tugged her to him and closed his mouth over hers.

Just one more thing to love about Charlie Rogan, Hannah thought, right before she lost herself in his kiss.

He knew the value of embracing the moment.

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