Page 57 of The Perfect Secret
Entering the austere white-on-white space, the owner invited them to look around. With a nod, they walked the perimeter of the room and studied the photographs hanging on the walls. Most were black and white portraits. Dan admired the poses and composition when he wasn’t analyzing his attraction to Hannah.
Was a never-ending desire to be with her normal? Did other people in love feel this, or only former addicts?
“Look at this one,” Hannah said. She pointed to one of a mother and baby. He dragged his focus away from his thoughts and followed Hannah’s finger. The photo showed half of their profiles, noses touching.
“It’s excellent, but did you notice the one over there?” He led her to one of a couple sitting on a bench, facing away from the camera. Through the slats of the bench, you could see their arms entwined around each other. How attached to each other were they? How would it compare to his feelings for Hannah? “Something about this reminds me of us.”
“Is it the grey hair?” Hannah asked.
He shook his head at her, unable to speak.
She gave him a hug. “I like it also. I was teasing.”
“I know.” Or he hoped.
They waved to the owner.
Outside the gallery, Hannah paused. “You seem off today,” she said. “Did something happen?”
They strolled along the street, window-shopping. “No. I just….” He turned to her and kissed her lips. “I just missed you.”And I’m terrified about what it means.
She gave him a look like she knew he was leaving information out. He was, because he remembered the last time he’d felt this pull, this lack of control. And it had almost cost him his daughter.
Chapter Sixteen
That weekend, Hannah’s stomach fluttered with anticipation as she approached the movie theater. Dan waited for her outside, scanning the crowd. In these few moments before he noticed her, she watched him. About a head taller than those around him, he was easy to spot. Broad shoulders, trim waist, ever-present cane. Light glinted off his hair, giving him a silver halo.
Dan as an angel. She stifled a snort. Approaching from behind, she reached her hands around his waist, moved her hands to his muscular chest, and leaned her cheek against his back. He started, but must have realized it was her, because he covered her hands with his own. He leaned against her.
His chest expanded as he inhaled. His heart beat against her hands, making her smile. Peeking around his body, she tilted her face toward him. “Hi.”
“I missed you,” he said.
“I missed you too.”
He took her hand in his, brought her fingers to his lips and kissed the backs of them. A shiver ran down her spine as his heated breath fanned her skin.
Coming around to his front, she hugged him. He pulled her tight against him, burying his face in her neck. While she loved being close to him, it felt as if he was afraid to let her go. This wasn’t like him.
“Are you okay?”
Pulling away, he looked at her, longing reflected in his gaze. “I am now.”
“We don’t have to watch a movie, you know.”
“No, you want to see it and I do too.” Taking her hand, he led her into the theater. He didn’t break contact with her the entire time. Not while buying tickets or popcorn, not while finding seats, not while settling in to wait for the previews to start. She liked the closeness, but it was odd.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” she asked as the previews started.
“I’ve missed you.”
She took his face in her hands. His eyes flashed in the dim theater. “I’m right here, okay?”
He kissed her, his lips making the lightest contact with hers. It was the whisper of a kiss, and it left her wanting more. “I know,” he said.
Resting in the crook of his arm, she settled in to watch the movie.
When it was over, she grabbed his hand to keep him in his seat. “Talk to me.”