Runner Up (23 page)

“I was hoping to come to the wedding but it’s simply impossible. I am so sorry Hannah.” Jackson sounded
so forlorn.
“I have no need for you to hold my hand for Allison’s wedding. I will be so busy it won’t matter. My dad
came by two days ago and all my earthly goods are already gone, including all my camera gear and laptop. I feel
strangely empty without all my gear. I cannot wait to come home.” I shared. My brain was thinking about the
hundred different things I had to do.
“I hope you know that if I didn’t have grandma’s birthday party in Chicago tomorrow that I would totally
be your date. Since I set up and planned the event it would be really bad form for me to skip it.” His laugh was
warm and somehow sent a shiver through me.
“I wish I could come really, dinner on Lake Michigan in a rented yacht sounds pretty fun. You certainly
know how to throw a party.” I said, I really wished I could somehow attend both events. It was just impossible.
“Well I have learned to throw private parties since the author thing. The secret is to get away from the
city and popular hangouts. No worries. I will teach you all my paparazzi avoidance skills. It has a ninety percent
success rate.”
I laughed.
“Ninety?” I asked, wondering if he was just making it up.
“Well round a-bouts… nobody’s perfect, and those hounds have good noses. Sometimes they foil even the
most brilliant schemes I have concocted.”
“I cannot wait to hear all about your schemes. I must go now though. Got a mani-pedi with Alli in a few
minutes and then a million things to do before the wedding tomorrow.” I hated to let him go, but counting down
the hours until I saw him made it easier.
“Airport 3 o’clock, two days. I will be there. We will have the drive from Chicago to talk and catch up.
Then we can meet up with your parents and get you settled in.” Jackson was counting down the time, too.
“I will be there, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.” I said before I ended the call.
I headed out the door the same minute and arrived a bit winded to the salon just five minutes later. The
street was crowded and I nearly ran the entire way.
All the wedding party was there, even the guys. The men protested to it before, but didn’t have any issues
once the pampering started. They didn’t get the pedicures but the massage and steam room was quite pleasant,
everyone agreed. We all headed to the rehearsal with smiles and relaxed attitudes. This wedding was planned well,
so far no drama or stress.
While waiting for dinner I heard my phone dinging for my attention.
I checked it while I had a free moment and saw Anthony’s name with a text.
Oh my. Now what?
‘Need to talk.’
My first thought was ‘no thanks’ but I replied quickly to stop this in its tracks.
‘Bad timing, busy week. At friends wedding and then flying home.’ I texted back. I turned off my iPhone
when I was done. I was not interested in any more reminders of that part of my life.
I got through the rehearsal dinner with a thousand thoughts going around in my head. Thinking about
Jackson and my parents, wishful dreaming about staying with his family over the holiday, just glad to finally have
everything done. This past month had been a rush of things to do. I got my Alaska project done with a big bonus
and a promise of more work for next year’s Travel Alaska campaign, the idea of going back was a very pleasant
one, they were a great client. It was good to be back on top of my game.
The rest of the night passed in a blur with details and errands around the city with Allison and her maid of
honor. This was my chance to say goodbye to my friend and roommate and wish her well on her new life. We
both shed some happy tears but we were glad that we were moving on with our lives.
* * * * *
Once the wheels were down my nerves hit a new level of jittery. The engine noise and people fidgeting on
the plane added to my anxiety.
I had survived the long wedding day, in high heels and a few stressful moments that came with every large
wedding. The dressing room where the wedding party would be changed was locked and no one could locate the
key. A tier of the wedding cake was leaning when the bakery delivered it. All catastrophes were overrated but the
stress was felt by all, except the bride and groom, which made it a job well done, according to me.
First class was overbooked so I was refunded the first class price, but my coach ticket had me sitting next
to a high school cheerleading squad returning from a conference. There were several phrases repeated by the
flight personnel aimed toward the high-schoolers, but they seemed to have gone deaf during their event because
they never complied with the rules.
“If you could keep your voices down that would be appreciated by the other passengers,” was one
announcement.
“If the students in the back of the plane would please be seated and keep the aisles clear…” was another.
I tried to tune them out and think of pleasant things. I was very irritated and ready to land five minutes
after the plane took off.
After the plane was settled and the cheerleaders weren’t clogging the aisles with giggling and short skirts, I
got my purse and carryon out of the overhead compartment. It wasn’t heavy, since most of my belongings were in
a U-Haul at my parent’s house, but my best hair straightener and makeup that I used for the wedding was in that
bag. No way was that getting lost in baggage. A good hair straightener was worth its weight in gold.
I was finally back in the Chicago airport, this time with butterflies in my stomach and my eyes searching. It
had been a slow time building but somehow Jackson was worming his way into my every thought. I wanted to
know what he was doing and checked my iPhone every minute for a text, just in case. I saw the carousel and my
small piece of luggage being pulled around, basically it was just the bridesmaid dress and one outfit remaining of my
New York life.
I pulled my luggage off the belt and strapped my carryon to it artfully so I could pull it along. My heart did
a trip-trop and a flip when I thought about seeing the tall guy who’s been helping me lose sleep. I walked through
two sets of sliding glass doors when I saw him.
Had it been only seven weeks since I saw him in person? He was taller than I remembered. I could feel my
ridiculous smile pulling at my face, the one that made me look cheesy, but I could not help it. Watching him walk
toward me filled me with just a little too much happiness to contain, it had to bubble out in any form it could.
I didn’t want to say anything. His strides were long, his eyes were happy but intense. I dropped my bags
just in time for him to grab me and kiss me silly. There was nothing to do but kiss him back and I gladly returned
the embrace.
“I missed you Hannah,” He said, his voice a bit husky.
“I can tell. I have been thinking about you.” I said, my bravery around him shocked me a little. I guessed
that must be a good thing. Being shy and quiet never did me a bit of good in the past.
“I nearly flew to New York every week. You kept convincing me not to.” He grabbed my luggage and
gently led me toward the door.
“Well, I was still dealing with photographers parked outside my building. I just didn’t want you pulled into
my drama. It was purely selfishness on my account. I wanted you all to myself.” I said, I stopped in my tracks one
step ahead of him on a staircase and he gave me a curious look then stopped himself.
“Did you forget something sweetie?” His endearment was nice to hear.
“Yes, I did.” I stood up to my toes, leaned in, and kissed him quickly. “That was all me.”
He sighed. He ran a free hand through his short brown hair. “You are gonna be trouble now aren’t you?”
He grabbed my bags and caught up with me after a few strides.
“I hope to be only the best kind of trouble from now on.” I grinned and held his extended hand.
We made it to his SUV and headed out of the airport. Both of us were light-hearted and we talked about
anything and everything the hour and a half trip to my parent’s home in Indiana.
As we pulled into the driveway a thought came into my head and I had to spill it.
“So, are we officially dating now?” I asked nervously. I am guessing that the kissing meant more than
friendship but I wanted to know for sure. My last guy was a lot more complicated; I am through with not knowing
where I stand.” I was nervous but his eyes were helping me to trust him.
“I hope so!” He grinned and grabbed my hand. “How about I just be blunt and say what I want?” He gave
me a second to nod.
“I would like you to be my girlfriend. Exclusively! Just you and me finding out how that will be. Cool?” He
was trying to be casual but I could see that tiny bit of vulnerability again. Like that night I kissed him and then
pushed him away. I never wanted him to feel that way again.
“I would love to have you as my boyfriend.” I laughed a little. “Though it’s hard to see you as a boy.
Forever, I will have to keep a step stool nearby if I ever want to kiss you.” I leaned toward him and we kissed
again.
Just checking to see if the sparks were still there. Yep. Wow, they were.
“Starting tomorrow there will be a step stool in every room of my house. Okay let’s go before I kiss you
in front of your parents again.”
I looked out and saw my parents in the driveway. I knew I was blushing but I didn’t care this second. I was
a bit giddy. It had been a beautiful drive and I had a new boyfriend.
“I am thrilled you two are…getting along.” My mom said, as she pulled me inside and with a deft move got
me alone in her bedroom. The men were still outside moving luggage to the U-Haul.
“So what’s the scoop, Han…?” My mom had a grin and a twinkle in her eye that was beguiling. Her short
hair was puffy around her face and she had a dirty gardening smock over her summer shorts and t-shirt.
“Well, he basically asked if I would be his girlfriend, exclusively.” I said grinning as foolishly as I was earlier.
“It was adorable, and I guess maybe I needed it, too. After the last one, and the many girlfriends and dates he had, I
feel kind of lucky…” I felt a happy tear escape. Not sure where that emotion came from but felt another few tears
escape while I was standing there.
“He is lucky too, sweetie. I think you both will do quite well.” She nodded and handed me a tissue from a
nearby box. You are never too old to need advice from your mom.
“Thanks.” I sniffed and wiped away the evidence of tears. “Haven’t done happy crying in a while, it’s nice.
Better than the other kind.”
The happy group gathered quickly in the driveway and a plan was organized. I saw Zee texting someone on
his phone. I gave him a wink when he looked up at me. His eyes were smiling, he looked happy. I was hoping that
glow he had was similar to the happy buzzing in my own heart today,
“Ruby will have dinner all ready at my place when we are done unloading the U-Haul. I was just texting her
the particulars.” He said as he opened the door to his SUV. We were going to follow my parents in the U-Haul.
The drive went quickly while Jackson and I made small talk about the holiday week with Ruby’s family. My parents
were going to be in the Upper Peninsula camping for most of the week but promised to come home in time for
the last day. Jackson had a surprise in store.
My cute little cottage sat just offshore of Stone Lake. It was on the road that led around the lake to the
Bliss House, it was a few minutes away by car. Even less by boat, Ruby claimed. It was just as the pictures showed,
cute and cozy. Jackson gave me the key and I unlocked the door and was pleasantly surprised to see a few
bouquets of flowers and presents on the table. She said there were a few furnishings but I now realized she had
understated it. It was almost completely furnished!
Even a new teapot on the stove.
“It’s darling. My very own place.” I exclaimed, unable to contain myself. I let everyone in and my mom and
I went arm-in-arm through the whole place. It had two bedrooms, decent closets, a bathtub and an enclosed
shower. The kitchen opened up to the living room and it had a large window facing southwest, overlooking the
water. If I stood at the window and squinted I could see Jackson’s house tucked into a piece of the lake that jutted
out and created his own little peninsula.
“You can spy on me all you like.” Jackson snuck up behind me. “Actually I may find it very distracting to
know you are so close by. I will be tempted to visit you constantly.”
“Oh let me visit you instead, I do love the Bliss House so much.” I realized the mistake of allowing the pet
name of his home to escape.
“The bliss house?” He laughed. “When did you start calling my house the bliss house?”
“Well, the first day I met you.” I tried to hide my face in shame. “I decided it was perfectly situated, the
fireplaces and the red chair…and well everything.” I shrugged and he gave my shoulders a squeeze as we looked
out the window.
“It shall be the bliss house from now on.” He planted a kiss on my cheek then we got serious about getting
my stuff out of the U-Haul and unpacking.
* * * * *
I woke up to a ding from my iphone. It was charging on the nightstand and truthfully it scared the sleep
right out of me. I didn’t expect anyone to be texting me this early. It was still dark.
I glanced at my phone through sleep-weary eyes.
I groaned when I saw Anthony’s name.
‘We need to talk!’ Anthony wrote.
“No we don’t.” I answered out loud to the empty room. “It’s over, finite’, done, kaput…” I staggered from
my bed to the kitchen, trying to think over any more words for ‘done’ that I could mention. It amused me while I
started the coffee pot. Ruby had set up my kitchen well with a few groceries, and staples, like gourmet fresh
ground coffee and creamer in the fridge. I found a coffee mug in the cupboard and pre-loaded my cup with cream
and sugar while I listened to the song of the coffeepot dripping and steaming.
Why would Anthony be texting me this week?
I suddenly remembered he had sent me a text two days before
the wedding too.
Ugh, what now? Some new drama to try and ruin my current happiness,
I mused.
Sorry Mr. Caprricio,
you had your chance, now it’s my turn to be happy and out of the spotlight.
I heard my phone ding again. Argh… I saw he was going to be persistent.
“Not gonna happen. I am leaving for my vacation in a few hours.” I was talking to my empty house again.
Maybe I need a cat or a goldfish so at least I would be talking to something.