Page 17 of The Perfect Secret

Outside, they began a slow walk to his car. On the corner, while they waited for the light to change, he spoke. “I was going to cancel tonight. I’m glad I didn’t.”

His smile almost distracted her from what he’d said. “Wait. Why?”

“Because I wasn’t sure if a date with you was a good idea.”

“Why not?”

He exhaled. “Because it’s been forever since I’ve been on a date, and there’s this.” He pointed to his cane.

“What made you keep our date?”

“Tess said cancelling would be mean, and if I like you, I should go out with you. She said some other things, but they weren’t flattering to me, so I’ll skip those for now.”

Hannah smiled and stroked his hand. The hairs on it were soft; she traced his knuckles and tendons, moving up to his wrist and down to his fingernails. He moved his hand beneath hers to give her better access, and he watched, seemingly fascinated, by her movements.

“She seems pretty wise. You should listen to her more often.”

He grasped her outstretched hand and they crossed the street. Once they reached the parking garage and while they waited for Dan’s car, he pulled her close. “I’m glad I listened to Tess,” he whispered against her hair. As he pulled away, he reached for her hand. “Don’t tell her I said that, though.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Thirty-five minutes later, he maneuvered into an empty space in front of her apartment and put the car in park. She’d talked about a book she’d read as he navigated traffic. Now, she paused, bit her lip and he leaned forward, his lips brushing hers, like velvet on skin. She sighed and pulled him closer and he ran his hands through her hair as he cupped the back of her head and drew her to him. She reached for his nape, soft beneath her fingers. He explored her mouth with his tongue, as if he memorized her taste and texture, until the car grew warm and the gearshift dug into her ribs. When she whimpered, he pulled away.

“I’ll call you.” He stroked her cheek and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Goosebumps ran down her neck and she swallowed. Pressing her hand against his, she climbed out of the car.

Dan sat in his living room with the lights out while he waited for Tess to come home. He shook his head. He managed his life by being super-organized, planning everything in advance. He controlled his leg pain in the same way. What made him think a date wouldn’t require the same advanced planning?

Sure, he’d planned the activity and the dinner. But he should have figured his leg into the plan. He’d been so concerned about giving Hannah a good time, he hadn’t allowed for waysto accommodate his leg. And she’d noticed. By some unknown random bit of luck, he’d handled it, but one of these days, if he weren’t careful, she would ask more pointed questions.

A wry smile played about his lips. Despite everything, he’d enjoyed tonight. Hannah was funny and enthusiastic and compassionate. He could still hear her voice, throaty and soft, like perfectly aged whiskey. Whiskey he no longer drank.

And her lips. He could watch them for hours, the way they molded words, stretched into a smile, tucked between her teeth, or puckered for a kiss. He could still taste her—berry and white wine—and the memory of her kiss turned him on. Unless it was the taste of the wine…no, it was her kiss. He had nothing to worry about.

The sound of the key in the door pulled him out of his memory. He turned on the light next to him as Tess walked in the door. “Hey, Tess.”

“How was your date?”

“Great. How was babysitting?”

“Zoe was cute, as usual. She had me do her hair, makeup, and nails and then she did mine.” She held out her hands to Dan. He smiled at the orange and purple streaks that crossed her nails and covered her skin, remembering when Tess painted nails the same way.

“So what’s Hannah like?” Tess sank into the chair next to him. Dan refrained from telling her to go to bed. For once she wanted to talk—he’d spend all night with her if necessary.

“She’s nice. Funny and smart, too.”

Tess winced. “Sounds great.” Her tone implied anything but.

Dan nudged her. “Trust me, she is. I didn’t think you’d want to hear other kinds of stuff.”

“Eww, no. Where’d you guys go?”

“I took her to the planetarium, and afterwards, to Isabella’s.”

Tess sat up straight. “You took her there? I thought you were joking!”

“What? She liked it.”