| |
“Bro, almost done. Just a bit more shading. Do you want any more color or just do it like the picture?” Bryce questions.
“Just like the picture. You know, you are doing a really good job on this. Maybe you should just take over the vacant booth and start building up your own clients, I think you are ready,” Sawyer tells him.
“Dude are you serious? Like really serious? Man, that’s awesome, thanks, bro! You’re not nearly as jerky as
they say you are,” Bryce chuckles and punches Sawyer in the arm. Sawyer knows this is Bryce’s way of thanking him in a manly way without getting emotional.
Hannah comes up to the men looking over Bryce’s shoulder at his work. She is stunned that he has captured her drawing so perfectly on Sawyer’s taunt skin. The shading, the minor details are all there.
“Well babe, how do you think Bryce did?” Sawyer asks. Hannah looks at him and then at the red-head.
“I think he has done perfectly. It’s great Bryce, really. I think I may even let you do mine,” she replies honestly.
“No way! Over my dead body will anyone else tattoo you but me! I can’t believe you would even . . .” Sawyer rants but stops because of Hannah’s and Bryce’s laughter.
“Sawyer, you should know better by now! I already said I wanted you to do my tattoo. But your reaction was classic,” Hannah chuckles as she and Bryce high-five each other. Sawyer is not as amused by this as they are.
“Clearly Bryce is a bad influence on you. Maybe you shouldn’t be around him so much.”
“Sawyer, relax. Bryce is like the brother I never wanted,” she jokes.
“Hey, I’m right here you know. Thanks a lot, Bambi,” Bryce scoffs.
“Truth hurts, Ginger.”
Sawyer sits back, enjoying the exchange between Bryce and Hannah. He still can’t believe he is lucky enough to have this woman in his life. She is so open and carefree now. She no longer has the burden of fearing her life is in danger any more. Sawyer’s thoughts are broken up by Bryce.
“Done man. This is perfection if I do say so myself. Check it out for yourself.”
Sawyer walks over to the mirror hanging on the side of the booth. He inspects the tattoo from different angles, checking the quality of the work. He turns around to Bryce and smiles.
“Nice work. Now get your booth ready and tell Elise to start booking you,” Sawyer tells him while giving him a punch on the arm. Bryce nods, hurrying to tell Elise.
“That was nice of you. See, being kind isn’t so bad, is it?” Hannah questions. Sawyer takes her in his arms and looks down into her wide brown eyes.
“No, it isn’t. It just feels weird though, especially being nice to him. We have a love-hate relationship. It’s going to ruin our dynamic.”
“Well, you better get used to it. I like this side of you, the tough guy who isn’t afraid to show his real self. I think its sweet.” Sawyer pouts.
“Sweet? Ugh babe, don’t call me that. My reputation was just completely buried with that comment.” Hannah laughs and hugs him to her tightly. He embraces her back, placing a kiss on the top of her head. Hannah pulls back slightly and looks up at him.
“Now it’s my turn to inspect your work of art.”
Sawyer takes a step back, watching as the petite woman gazes over his bare upper body. She hesitantly glides her finger tips around the newest addition, not wanting to further irritate the tender area.
She whispers to him, “I love it, thank you for doing this.” He peers down to her face and sees the love he feels for her mirrored in her dark eyes. Sawyer leans down to steal a kiss but is stopped by a shove to the chest and a finger pressed to his lips.
“What was that for?”
“No kisses until you have properly taken me out on a date. Speaking of that, I need to get ready. See you tonight Mr. Monson,” she snickers as she walks away. He stays firmly planted on the floor staring after her retreating figure. Bryce tosses Sawyer’s shirt back to him as he stands beside him.
“Bro you’re whipped, but I’m happy for you. She’s awesome. I’m glad you found each other,” Bryce grins. Sawyer smirks back at the man and heads to his office, already thinking about his date.
***
HANNAH STEPS OUT OF the shower and hears knocking on the door. She hesitates as she cautiously walks toward the door.
“Who is it?” she calls out.
“Hannah it’s Shelley, open up.” Hannah holds the towel tighter around herself as she unlocks the door and the violet haired woman immediately hugging her.
“Ahh! I’m so excited about your date! I told Elise and Chelsea that it was Hannah and Shelley time. Let’s go pick out your clothes, and I can fix your hair and makeup. We need to go kind of fancy,” Shelley enthusiastically rambles. Hannah laughs and shadows her to the bedroom.
“Wait, why do I need to dress up? You know where he’s taking me don’t you?”
Shelley looks at her broadly smiling. “That I do, and no I’m not telling you. You are going to like it though!”
Shelley rummages in the closet through Hannah’s clothes. She selects a dark blue maxi dress and a light-yellow cardigan.
“We can dress this up with some jewelry, it will be perfect. Where are your shoes?” Hannah points to the corner of the room where her shoes are lined up against the wall. Shelley walks over to them and picks out a pair of tan sandals. She hands the clothes and shoes to Hannah to put on. When Hannah steps out, Shelley guides her to the bathroom to get started on her hair and makeup.
Shelley begins to comb out Hannah’s chocolate locks while looking at the girl’s reflection in the mirror. Hannah starts to feel self-conscious under her friend’s stare.
“What? What’s wrong?” Shelley shakes her head and sets back to work.
“Shelley,” Hannah further presses.
“Okay, okay. I’m just really happy you’re back. We were so scared when you were gone. Sawyer was an absolute wreck. I’ve never seen him like that, not even when his parents died. It was like he lost his will to live. Bryce and I had to force him to eat and bathe. He never stopped looking for you though. He really loves you. I never thought I would ever see him in love and wanting to settle down. I’m just happy and so grateful to you, Hannah. You’ve brought my best friend back to me, and I got a bonus sister too. Promise me you won’t break his heart. I don’t think he can make it without you,” Shelley sighs.
Hannah looks at Shelley in astonishment. She is elated yet frightened. It seems like it’s too early to have such strong feelings for someone, but she feels like she can’t go on without Sawyer either.
“I feel the same about him. It scares me to feel like this, it’s all new to me. I promise I won’t hurt him though,” Hannah expresses to her softly, her eyes filling with tears.
“Hey, I think that’s enough with the heavy stuff. We need to get busy on getting you beautified for your date,” Shelley laughs as she wipes away unfallen tears from her eyes. Hannah agrees and watches contently as Shelley begins to work with her hair.
After an hour of primping, Shelley declares that Hannah is ready. At the same time, they hear Sawyer come in from downstairs.
“Guys, I need to get ready too,” Sawyer declares.
“Go to your bedroom while I get Hannah downstairs. You aren’t allowed to see her until your date. You can pick her up down there,” Shelley orders as she rushes Hannah out the door. Hannah glances at Sawyer who has his eyes covered while chuckling.
“Be sure to dress nice, no Led Zeppelin shirts!” Shelley barks at him as she closes the door.
The girls wait patiently with Bryce, Elise, and Chelsea in the parlor for Sawyer. Hannah is picking at invisible lint on her dress, nervously glancing at the clock every minute or so. The girls are trying to give her advice on how to act and what may be expected after the date. Hannah is desperately trying to find any excuse to leave the conversation. Just when she is about to say something that she may regret, Sawyer walks in the parlor. He is wearing a dark green button up shirt with black slacks and his boots. He has tried to style his unruly locks. Hannah can’t pull her eyes away from him. She didn’t think it was possible for him to look more handsome, but she is wrong. He walks up to her and pulls out a small bouquet of daisies from behind his back.
“These are for you,” he nervously says to her. The group huddled around Hannah interrupts with awes. Sawyer glares at them before he turns his attention back to Hannah.
“Thank you, they are beautiful.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you babe. You look gorgeous.” Hannah blushes at his comment. He then turns and offers his arm to her to escort her out of the parlor.
“Don’t stay out all night, have her home at a respectable hour!” Shelley calls after them.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Bryce adds. Sawyer waves them both off as the door closes behind the couple.
“Are you ready to be blown away by a large amount of romance Miss Randoff?” Hannah giggles and smiles up at the attractive man next to her. He laughs and caresses the hand she has rested on his arm. They walk to his truck, he opens the door for her, then quickly jogs over to his own side and gets in.
They drive for a while before Hannah realizes they are leaving town.
“Where are we going?” she tensely questions.
“Don’t worry babe, I promise you will like it,” he assures her. She sits back and relaxes.