“I don’twantto be alone.”
“Then say yes. Please. Do whatyouwant to do.” Hannah wanted nothing more than to see Caz smiling; she just hoped it would be with her. “Forget how we initially met, and please say yes.”
Hannah really hoped Caroline could forget how they’d met. Because if she could turn back time, Caroline never would have been a client. She would have been the woman who Hannah spotted across the bar, taken in by her natural beauty and those alluring eyes. Surely, regardless of Hannah’s job, they could see where things went between them.
But then Hannah’s heart plummeted into her stomach. Caroline would never take this further. One, because she wasn’t interested in Hannah, and two, because however you looked at it, Hannahwasan escort.
Her phone started ringing in her bag, breaking them apart. It would be Adele. She had to be here by now. But Hannah didn’t want to spend the evening with Adele. She wanted to sit in a corner, having a quiet drink with Caroline and learning everything there was to know about her.
“At least say you’ll think about it?”
Caroline offered one of her gorgeous smiles, bringing her hand to Hannah’s cheek. “You’re far too good for me. Go and enjoy your night, and please, be safe.”
Rather than push this, Hannah would do as Caroline asked. She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, her hand settling against Caroline’s chest. “If you ever find it in here to let me in, I’ll be waiting for you.”
Chapter9
Hannah watchedfrom the corner of the bar as Caroline danced with friends, her impeccable smile so full and wide as she laughed with a blonde woman. They looked as though they’d been friends for a long time, and judging by how they all presented themselves, Hannah would say they were colleagues of Caroline’s. It made her smile to see Caroline enjoying herself…Hannah just wished she could have been dancing with her, too.
But it wasn’t to be. And Hannah would never do anything to make Caroline feel uncomfortable. She’d already caused tears earlier, something she never wanted to see again.
Adele nudged her as she returned from the bar, sliding a tray of shots and two whiskeys onto the tall table Hannah stood beside.
“Are you still watching her?”
Hannah turned around. Adele was right. She’d watched Caroline for the last two hours. “I need to get a grip on myself. She’s not even interested. I mean, I kissed her and made her cry. If that’s not self-explanatory, I don’t know what is.”
“I think she’s a fool considering how gorgeous you are, but perhaps she realises the trouble you’d be getting into with one another if she took things further.”
“I hate that she was a client.”
Adele handed a shot over, motioning for Hannah to join her as she knocked it back. They both winced, coughed, then laughed. “Phew. Now I remember why I hate these things.”
“I’m going to needa lotof them if we’re staying in this bar all night.” Hannah didn’t usually drink excessively; she wanted to show Edie that there was more to life than her mum having a hangover because it was the socially acceptable thing to do. But since Edie wasn’t usually around on Saturday and Sunday, Hannah was letting her hair down this evening. “What do you think of Caz?”
Adele rolled her eyes. “I think that she seems happy with her friends, and I’m not prepared to stand here all night talking about her.”
Hannah nodded, glancing over her shoulder momentarily. Caroline was watching her over the rim of her wine glass. God, she wanted to disappear with her right this second. “Right, yeah. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, I’m not having a go. I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
Then why did being with Caroline feel like the perfect idea to Hannah? If it was so terrible and such a huge mistake, why did it feel incredibly satisfying when they were in one another’s company?
And then Adele’s eyes widened. “Oh, shit. She’s coming over.”
Hannah winced. “Probably to ask me to stop creeping her out and watching her.” As she turned, Caroline stopped dead in front of her. “Hi, is everything okay?”
“We…wondered if you and your friend would like to join us?” Caroline threw a thumb over her shoulder, and as Hannah looked past Caroline, her friends were grinning and waving. “I’m sure you’re probably headed off elsewhere soon, but maybe we could all have one drink together?”
Hannah eyed Adele. “What do you think?”
“We’dloveto,” Adele said enthusiastically, winking as she took the tray of shots and whiskey from the table. “Hannah doesn’t speak about you much, so it’ll be nice to get to know you.”
Caroline frowned. “I don’t—”
“That was me being sarcastic. This one here doesnothingbut talk about you. So thank you…for saving me from it.” Adele stepped past Caroline, leaving Hannah alone with her.
“I’m sorry about her. She’s talking shit.” Hannah would have to lie her way through this conversation. Caroline had made it clear that they would never date. It was time to accept that. “But we’d love to have a drink with you if you’re sure it’s okay.”