Ok here it is you spoiled people. I guess it's too late to fix that. The chapter you've been waiting for. A nice long chapter. Yay. Enjoy the double update now because I have new rules and I'm gonna follow them. One update a day is nice enough, no more multiple updates (for the rest of the week). If you're going through withdrawal try making your own HALEB story. It might make me happy enough to surprise you spoiled people a double update.
Hanna got out of her car and handed the valet her keys. She walked around to where Caleb stood waiting for her. This was it. He was meeting her dad, sure they weren't dating (right now) but it was still important that they get along. He offered her his arm and she took it gratefully. She did not want to walk in alone but she could already picture the looks on Kate and Isabel's faces. What would her father think of the shaggy haired boy with her? Hopefully he wouldn't like Caleb…this could be her chance.
"Hold up one second," Hanna said as they walked in. She paused to adjust Caleb's tie and straighten herself.
"Really?" Caleb said as her hands went around his neck carefully flattening any wrinkles.
"I want you to look good," she replied as she took his hand and led him to the table where her family sat.
"Hanna dear, how are you?" Isabel grinned showing her pearly white fake smile.
"Hanna. You've grown so much," her dad said standing to hug her and she forced a weak smile back.
"Thank you Dad," she said pulling away and sitting between her mom and Caleb.
"And who is this?" her father said as Kate smiled at Caleb, twirling her hair and looking like an idiot.
"Oh, Dad this is…" Hanna began but didn't know how to finish the statement.
"Caleb Rivers," the boy said extending his hand to Mr. Marin.
"Ah. Nice to meet you," the older man said as he waved the waiter over.
"Are you ready to order?" the waiter said as he approached the new blonde sitting at the table.
"Not yet, let's get some drinks," Mr. Marin said taking control of the group around him and giving the newcomers time to look over the menu.
"And for you Miss?" the waiter smiled when he made his way around to Hanna.
"Oh an iced tea please, with lemon?" Hanna smiled up at him, noticing the attractive facial features of the boy she hadn't noticed before.
"I will bring these right out," he said smiling at Hanna as he left to the kitchen.
Throughout the meal Kate continued to flirt shamelessly with Caleb while her father and mother argued. Hanna sat in the middle watching Kate eye Caleb like he was a piece of meat she would jump across the table to devour. Caleb's facial reactions were better than listening to her mother and father argue while Isabel chimed in as if she had any input into the situation. She sipped her drink and pushed the food around on her plate while mentally laughing at the irony of the fact that the dinner was to talk about her yet here she sat completely ignored. By the time the others had finished their meals (and hers looked somewhat eaten), she was about ready to walk away just to see if anyone noticed.
"Can I get the pretty lady some dessert?" the waiter smiled at Hanna as he took her plate.
"Let's just get something for the table," Kate spoke up snatching the attention back to her.
"Oh…ok then," the waiter said handing Kate the menu before turning back to look at Hanna.
"What do you say we order the…uhm….this chocolate layer cake thing…The Triple Chocolate Tower?" Kate smiled across at Caleb.
"I'll put the order in right away," the waiter said taking the menu back and leaving for the kitchen.
"So Caleb…I was thinking maybe…while I'm here in town we could…" Kate purred obviously flirting with the boy across the table from her.
"Caleb, I think I left my purse in the car, can you come with me to look for it please?" Hanna asked quickly placing her hand on Caleb's upper arm and silently begging him to just follow without questions despite the fact her purse was tucked neatly under her arm.
"Uhm…yeah…sure," he said once he saw how desperately she needed him to go with her.
"I wanted to warn you about Kate. I totally forgot before we got here," Hanna rambled quickly as soon as the step out into the cold air.
"Whoa…slow down there Blondie. What about this Kate person?" Caleb said putting his hands on her shoulders to try to calm her down.
"Just be careful. She likes you and she's used to getting what she wants," Hanna said looking him straight into his eyes, afraid that he would really go to Kate.
"She's not my type Princess. You don't have to worry about that," he said kissing her cheek to reassure her that he wasn't interested in the step-sister.
"Good," Hanna said unsure of what to do next.
"Let's just go back inside and stop leading that waiter on," Caleb said pushing her back into the warm restaurant; he could see her shivering eve under that thick winter coat.
"Ok…" Hanna said mindlessly as she pulled out her phone that had buzzed.
"I spy with my little eye something green. Mistletoe. Kiss him, a real lovey dovey kiss in front of everyone or I tell Mommy what you'd rather be doing with him. –A"
Hanna eyes snapped up from her phone to inspect the surrounding area for the traditional decoration she was meant to kiss Caleb under. She found it quickly. The small green plant with little white beads was hanging from the ceiling with a direct view from the table her family sat at. Perfect. She could show Kate that Caleb was hers while showing getting attention from her dad. That sounded like she was using him but she wasn't really. She wanted to kiss him just to kiss him.
Moments later she was positioning them perfectly under the mistletoe. Once she was satisfied, she stepped closer up onto her toes to kiss him directly on the lips. He was shocked at first then returned the kiss, much more passion and need from his end. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer and lifting her gently while she held herself by draping her arms across his shoulders so her hands hung lazily at the back of his neck. Her eyes were closed as she let the passion she had for Caleb take control but she could feel Kate's eyes burning into her back as she watched the two clinging to each other. She pressed herself flesh against him (letting Kate feel that awful jealous twinge she had been feeling towards Grace) and enjoy the taste of his lips on hers, a taste that was distinctly Caleb. They meshed perfectly as if two puzzle pieces, she knew how cheesy it sounded but it seemed so true. She would never forget that feeling.