Ouch. That stung. But Hannah’s job was done here. Caroline had hired her to help with dating, and here she was…going on a date.
“I bumped into Edie this morning. She says you have a new job.”
Hannah felt that pride escalate again. “I do. I’m working for Juliet Saunders. Personal Assistant.”
“Ah. That’s who you were with at Joy’s cafe. I thought I recognised her. Well, congratulations. That’s quite impressive.”
Everyone knew who Juliet Saunders was. She was one of the most brutal lawyers in the north. And Hannah knew Caroline had seen them together at the café the day she’d left to be with her client. Back then, the idea of being with someone else after she’d spent the most wonderful night with Caroline hadn’t felt great, but the opportunity she’d gained out of it had brushed that aside. If she hadn’t gone to that booking, she wouldn’t have a new job.
Hannah lifted a shoulder. “She gave me the opportunity to get out of escorting. I’d have been a fool to turn down her offer.”
“And does she still get the benefits she once had with you?” Caroline winced as those words left her mouth. She lifted a hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“Yes, she used to be my client. But she’s not anymore. She is myboss.” Hannah sunk back into the bench, disappointed that Caroline thought of her that way. “So, no. She’s not fucking me in her office when she feels like it.”
“God, Hannah…I didn’t mean it like that.” Caroline stepped closer, but Hannah held up her hands, scoffing. “I’m sorry.”
“It really doesn’t matter what you think of me, Caz. I’m kinda over it all now.”
Caroline frowned. “Over it?”
“Wanting to pursue you. Wanting to know you and be with you.” Hannah might have been slightly exaggerating, but she wouldn’t give this woman—oranywoman, for that matter—the satisfaction of hurting her. “I showed up with flowers, hoped you’d call, but it’s been three weeks, and I got nothing from you. Still, I understand. I’m not the kind of woman you’d consider yourself with, and that’s okay. Your sister is frightening enough to encourage me to back off.”
“My sister? Has she said something to you?”
“She didn’t need to. I’ve stopped booking a table at the café because she stands around watching me. As much as I don’t find people intimidating, it would be nice to enjoy lunch without feeling uncomfortable.”
“I-I had no idea,” Caroline said, taking a seat on the bench beside Hannah. “She can be…overprotective at times.”
“Well, she has nothing to worry about. I’m throwing in the towel, but I guess you already hoped I had.”
“Actually,” Caroline paused, running her palms down her thighs. “I wanted to call. There were a couple of times when I considered it, but I didn’t know how to reach you.”
“You had my number.”
“I didn’t. When I told you I’d delete them, I foolishly did so.”
Hannah’s brows rose with surprise. “You’re certainly very honest.”
Caroline smiled weakly. “Respectful.”
Hannah checked her watch, disappointed that she didn’t have as long left on her lunch break as she thought she did. She finished her sandwich, neither of them willing to break the silence that had settled between them. But then Hannah looked in Caroline’s direction, finding tears in those pretty green eyes. “Oh, please don’t be upset. I think we can both agree that this was just a big mess from the beginning.”
“If that’s how you see it, fair enough.” A tear slid down Caroline’s cheek as she got to her feet. “Take care, Hannah. I’m really happy you took the job. I hope it all works out for you.” Caroline slowly walked away, her head down as Hannah watched her shoulders shake ever so slightly.
“Hey, Caz?”
Caroline turned, wiping tears from her jawline. “Yeah?”
“Good luck with your date. Show them the real you, and they’ll love everything they see.”
With the tiniest smile on her mouth, Caroline simply nodded and walked away. Hannah never wanted to make Caroline cry, she never wanted to hurt her in any way at all, but this had been doomed from the moment they’d met. And now that Caroline had a date, Hannah could live with the knowledge that she’d likely meet a woman who could complete Caroline and give her everything she wanted. Hannah may believe that she could be that person deep down, but Caroline was moving forward with her life, and that had to be good enough for her.
It was all she ever wanted for that broken woman she’d met.
A happy ending.
Chapter13