Sorry I haven't updated in a while lovelies but I had a lot of papers due that I needed to focus on. Enjoy and leave a review so I know what you think ;)
Hanna was alone. She forced Lucas to leave a few minutes ago. Hanna knew he would have stayed until she closed and maybe longer but he had an engagement to celebrate. Hanna put the receipts in an envelope and made the deposit to take to the bank. One thing that annoyed her about the job. She had to go to the bank at night and go again in the morning. Not that a lot of her clients used cash but surprisingly enough, today, she had more cash customers than normal. Hanna takes off her vest and heels before she walks to the cappuccino maker. Hanna makes herself a cappuccino, sits on one of her legs on the couch with the other leg crossed over it. Hanna looked at her hot pink toe nails before she takes another sip. Hanna wonders why she chose hot pink. She loved the color but not on her feet. Hanna preferred the basics (black, white, blue and purple) and she was a fan of the pastels but hot pink was Caleb's favorite. When she wore hot pink it was for him. Just like her black mini skirt which she gave away when he moved to California for what seemed like forever. He broke up with her and was gone for months that time. She went to visit him once. She needed a full explanation. That was the only thing Tom actually paid for. Their goodbye was sad and Caleb kept saying how he needed to protect her from his past. He told her he would be back when his life was solved. He did come back and he did explain all that happened. The more she learned about Caleb the more she loved him.
Hanna drank some more as the front door dinged.
"Fuck! I forgot to lock it." Hanna says as she gets up. "Sorry . . . we're closed for tonight but we open up tomorrow at nine." Hanna says putting her cappuccino on the counter and finally looking up. "Caleb" Hanna says in surprise.
"Hanna" Caleb says as he looks at her. He couldn't help but to enter. He saw her walk around for a while, making a cappuccino and then he realized how psycho he was being just staring in a window so he entered. As luck would have it Hanna didn't lock the door. The white shorts thing she was wearing left her back bare. As Hanna inhaled and exhaled her breasts moved slightly straining against the no sleeve turtle neck front.
"What are you doing here and where is Miranda?" Hanna asked as she went to the front door to lock it before someone else entered.
"She went out." Caleb says. Hanna looked at the clock on the wall and then at Caleb.
"And you didn't go with her?" Hanna asks suspiciously as she grabs her coffee and sits on the couch.
"It's for work" Caleb says. Hanna laughs. She thinks about the irony of it all.
"You've changed. Your girlfriend . . . correction fiancé goes out practically at eight for work and you don't break up with her? Impressive Caleb." Hanna says while laughing again. Caleb's eyes narrow.
"She's not at work practically every night until midnight Hanna. Nor does she not have sex with her boyfriend weeks on end and make him feel like their connection is gone. She also doesn't put her job before him, she works her job with him in mind." Caleb says. Hanna laughs again before standing and washing out her cup. Hanna double checks that machine is off and briefly she disappears to check the back door.
"Caleb Rivers just told me he broke up with me because we weren't having enough sex." Hanna said as she dries the cup, puts it in its place and laughs again. "Caleb, what do you want?" Hanna asks growing serious as she puts on her ankle stack heeled boots, leather vest and her coat.
"I don't know." Caleb says as Hanna looks over her shoulder. Hanna shakes her head as she puts her heels and deposit in her bag. She turns off the lights, sets the alarm and walks to the door.
"Are you coming or are you staying?" Hanna asks as she waits by the open door. Caleb walks past her and Hanna's eyes close briefly. That cologne again. It's like it dulled her mind and made her forget common sense. Hanna pulls across the security gate and locks that as well before she puts her keys in her pocket.-
"Where are you headed?" Caleb asks as he stands in front of Hanna.
"To the bank and then home." Hanna says as she finally looks up at him.
"I'll come with you." Hanna looks at him strangely.
"Come with me where?" Hanna asks.
"To the bank and then to dinner. My treat." Caleb says as he looks at Hanna like he had so much to say but didn't know where to start. Caleb puts his hands in his jeans pockets as Hanna watches him.
"You don't cheat Caleb." Hanna says softly.
"I'm not cheating Hanna. I am escorting you to the bank and since we both need to eat I am joining a friend for dinner." Caleb says as he scratches the back of his neck. Hanna smirks.
"Do you believe the bullshit you just said Rivers?" Hanna says. Caleb smiles.
"Somewhat Han. Now let's go since we don't have all night." Hanna shakes her head as they continue walking. The bank is about four blocks up the street so usually she would do the deposit in the morning if there wasn't too much cash. Now, since she's walking, she will probably drive next time. Caleb continuously looking up and down the street was freaking her out. The streets were still busy with activity but if you just looked at Caleb's reaction you would swear the streets were empty.
"Will you stop?" Hanna says after she makes the deposit. Hanna crosses her arms in front of her chest and looks at Caleb.
"Stop what." Caleb says as he looks around before looking down at her.
"Looking around like you expect the boogeyman to jump out at you." Hanna says. Caleb smiles.
"Maybe I do. You feel like eating Thai?" Caleb asks.
"Thai actually sounds really good. Are we driving or walking?" Hanna asks as she thinks about the Thai restaurants she's been to. The best one in Philly is by her store. Hanna says to herself as she begins walking.
"So we're walking?" Caleb says amused. Hanna smiles at him.
"I know a place you'll love. You still go for authentic right?" Hanna asks as they cross another street. Caleb looks at her. Even now she knew him.
"Always." Caleb says. Hanna winks at him.
"Good. Now make sure you give me one hell of a thank you when you taste this restaurants food. It's delicious." Hanna says as she takes Caleb's hand. Caleb interlocks their fingers as Hanna keeps walking, past her store and to a restaurant a few blocks away. It was small and intimate.
They enter the restaurant and Hanna releases Caleb's hand.
"Sorry . . . it's just a" Hanna starts saying not truly being able to get the words out. Caleb looks at her, moving a strand of hair out of her face.
"Habit . . . I know Han." Caleb says. Hanna blushes slightly as she bites her bottom lip.
"Table for two?" Hanna looks at the hostess and smiles.
"Yes please." Hanna says as she takes off her coat. Caleb's fingers breeze over her bare shoulders and Hanna's chills return.
"Would you like a booth or a table?" The hostess asks.
"Table" Hanna and Caleb say in unison. Hanna and Caleb walk to a table. Caleb pushes Hanna's chair in as she sits before he sits in the chair across from her. Caleb looks at Hanna as the candlelight dances across her face. The ambiance in this place was nice. Hanna looks up.
"Do you know what you're ordering?" Hanna asks. Caleb's head shakes slightly as he looks at her.
"Not yet. What should I try?" Caleb asks, his eyes not leaving Hanna's as she explains each dish she has tried the Hanna way, facial expressions and humorous descriptions. Caleb couldn't stop laughing by the end of the descriptions as Hanna joined in with him. The waiter joins the table and asks if they are ready to order. Hanna orders followed by Caleb. Once the waiter leaves Hanna drinks some water before she crosses her legs.
"How's work? Still keeping the hackers out?" Hanna asks. Caleb rests his elbows on the table as his joined fists rest under his chin.
"Trying to but it's getting harder. There is this hacker that's trying to hack their way onto the different servers I have which branch out to different companies. This guy is trying to hack my internet security codes and he's getting close. Luckily he leaves a trace but I can never find the guy behind the hack." Caleb says. Caleb knew the hacker was getting close. What it came down to was his passwords. If they ever figured out his passwords Caleb's entire system would have to be rewritten. That is what he didn't want to happen. Caleb looks at the waiter as he brings their food to the table. Hanna asks for chop sticks and Caleb smirks.
"You finally figured out how to use them properly?" Caleb asks as Hanna flicks him off which makes Caleb laugh. Hanna takes her first bite and moans in delight as Caleb watches her. When Hanna truly enjoyed her food Hanna moaned. That's how Caleb knew he cooked something she loved. She moaned. There were other ways to make her moan. Many other ways and as he watched her he remembered each way starting with her neck.
Hanna continues eating and takes a break to look at Caleb who had a soft smile on his lips.
"What Caleb?" Hanna asks as she wipes her mouth.
"Nothing" Caleb says softly as he begins eating.
"I think you're wrong." Hanna says as Caleb looks up at her.
"About what Han." Caleb says.
"About it being a guy." Hanna says as she takes another bite.
"You were listening?" Caleb asks as Hanna rolls her eyes.
"Of course I was listening Caleb. I always listen." Hanna says as she smiles.
"What makes you think it's a female?" Caleb asks.
"Because of Mona. Other than you she is the best hacker around here and her system slays. Why don't you talk to her?" Hanna says and asks as she continues eating.
"No fucking way Hanna, I don't trust her." Caleb says.
"Why exactly Caleb? Without using Spencer as an excuse why else don't you trust Mona?" Hanna asks as she finishes as much as she can eat. She only ate half which will leave the rest for dinner tomorrow. Caleb is silent. Hanna looks at his narrowed eyes and she tilts her head slightly.
"Last time I checked Hanna I don't trust Mona because of what she did to you, not Spencer. If she could torture her best friend for a little under two years without mercy why the hell would I trust her now?"
"Caleb I haven't been your problem for five years but if you want to use me fine. If I can trust Mona again why can't you?" Hanna asks softly. "Your internet software needs protection. The only protection that would be perfect is Mona's because she isn't known in your world." Hanna watches Caleb shake his head and Hanna grabs his hand.
"Do you trust me?" Hanna asks. Caleb's eyes search her own as Caleb's hand holds hers.
"Always." Caleb says. Hanna smiles.
"Then when I tell you, you can trust Mona, believe me. She's working in Rosewood for the mayor but I'll call her later if you want." Hanna says as she releases Caleb's hand.
"Are you sure about this Hanna?" Caleb asks. Hanna looks at Caleb.
"As sure as I was that once I got back to the apartment that night you wouldn't be there." Hanna says softy as the waiter returns.
"Would you like anything else?" He asked. Caleb looks at Hanna who smiles at the waiter.
"A box and your banana spring rolls with your coconut ice cream." Hanna says her eyes smiling in delight. The waiter smiles at her before he looks at Caleb.
"Anything for you sir?" The waiter asks. Caleb smiles.
"No. I'm fine." Caleb says. The waiter walks away leaving Hanna and Caleb alone. "So why did you move here?" Caleb asks, curious.
"A good portion of my clients live here and I found a good retail space for my Boutique. Plus I was tired of New York. Once Travis broke our engagement I knew it was time for me to leave." Hanna says as she smiles at the hostess who just brought her tea. Caleb is silent for a few minutes trying to comprehend what Hanna just said.
"You were engaged?" Caleb asks as he looks at Hanna. Hanna looks at him over her tea cup.
"Mhm for two years. I'm surprised Spence didn't tell you." Hanna says looking at Caleb's reaction. If she didn't know any better she would swear he was jealous. He shouldn't be jealous. He has Miranda.
"What was Travis like?" Caleb asks. He couldn't picture Hanna with anyone else. In those five years he thought about Hanna once in a while but he never thought she would have found someone to move on with. How fucking selfish could I be. Caleb thinks to himself. Hanna is gorgeous! What did I expect? Her to be lonely forever? Caleb says and asks himself.
"Extremely caring, hardworking, patient and he loved me. He was an amazing catch." Hanna says as the dessert comes. Hanna gives two and some ice cream to Caleb and left the other two and some ice cream for herself.
"But?" Caleb asks. Hanna takes a bite and licks the corner of her mouth.
"But he wanted something from me that I wasn't ready to give him." Hanna says as she takes a scoop of ice cream and puts it in her mouth.
"Which was what?" Caleb asks hanging on every word.
"He wanted all of me. I couldn't give him that yet. Maybe eventually but not when he wanted me to." Hanna says as she keeps eating and looking at her ice cream.
"Why is that?" Caleb asks already knowing the answer. Hanna sighs as she looks at Caleb straight. No humor, no anger, just straight honesty.
"Because I did that already Caleb and I'm not going to just give another man all of me until I'm ready." Hanna says as she finishes one of her spring rolls. She leaves the other and the ice cream while Caleb finishes his plate of dessert and licks both corners of his mouth. Hanna smirks as she looks at him.
"It's good right?" Hanna says as the waiter arrives with the check. Hanna gives the waiter her card without even blinking.
"Very good. How did you find this place? And you know I hate when you pay for dinner Han." Caleb asks and says. Hanna smirks as she signs her name and gives the waiter a nice tip.
"Next time and I went walking. The last time I came here was when I was making the final touches on the boutique; so Lu and I went walking since he happened to be in the country at the time. Then we stumbled across this place, tried it out and the rest is history." Hanna says as they both get out of their chairs. Caleb rests his hand on the small of her back as she grabs her to go container and her bag. Hanna puts on her coat, as does Caleb, before they both walk out.
"Where to next?" Caleb asks.
"My house so we can call Mona and get your internet system protection underway" Hanna says as they begin walking.
"Do you have beer?" Caleb asks. Hanna laughs.
"Actually I do. When Tobias, Spence, Emily and Aria came over to help me and Lucas decorate that was Tobias's request. So I actually still have a few bottles left." Hanna says as they continue walking.
"Where do you live Han?" Caleb asks as he looks at Hanna's boutique. Hanna smirks at him as she unlocks the door beside her boutique.
"Right here" Hanna says as Caleb enters behind her. Once the door closes and buzzes the light turns on. Hanna uses a card which the box beside the other door scans before the light turns green. Hanna pushes open the door and when the second door closes the light turns off.
"High tech" Caleb says as he looks at the cameras.
"That would be Lucas. He is extremely over protective." Hanna says amused as they enter the lift. Hanna pulls the doors down and presses up. The lift reaches the second floor and Hanna lifts the doors. Hanna grabs her cell phone, which was on the counter, as she immediately calls Mona. Hanna talks to Mona for a few minutes before she gives the phone to Caleb.
"Be nice" Hanna mouths to him. Caleb walks into the living room and sits on the couch that was new to him. It wasn't the couch in the New York apartment. Caleb watches Hanna take off her coat, vest and shoes before she walked into the kitchen. He watches her pour a glass of wine for herself before walking to give him a beer. He recognized the logo.
Hanna walks back into the kitchen after giving Caleb a beer. She watched him as he talked to Mona border line tight lipped. The girls didn't trust Mona either but Hanna knew Mona wasn't the enemy. After being A for so long and trying to turn the entire student body against a lying Ali Hanna somewhat understood Mona. Mona hated Ali for the same reason Lucas hated Ali. Ali made her life a living hell. Hanna still, sometimes, didn't know why Ali chose her. That was until Mona spelled it out for all of them. How true was that statement? Hanna was the admiring one. She wanted to be just like Ali and Ali knew it so she said just the right stuff to make Hanna sad and happy all at the same time.
Enough thoughts about Ali. Hanna says to herself as she turns on Hozier and turns down the volume somewhat. This was Hanna's mellow out time. It was somewhat of a tradition now. Hanna puts her left over food in the fridge. Hanna needed to cook tomorrow. Her freezer was packed her fridge, not so much. It just had water, eggs, milk, fresh veggies and bread. Hanna didn't bother to count the two bottles of wine and the beer. Hanna looked at the calendar Olivia gifted her with. A lot of good shots and a special one of the front of the boutique with customers coming in and out. It was one hell of a shot especially with the snow falling.
"Why eleven-05" Caleb asked behind Hanna. She felt the chills again as well as the butterflies fluttering in her cervix.
"It represents my hours of business." Hanna says. Her eyes not leaving the calendar.
"No it doesn't. Your boutique is open on Saturdays. Only for five hours but it's still open. Try again Han." Caleb says by Hanna's ear.
"Figure it out Caleb. You're not dumb." Hanna says as she turns and looks up at him. When Hanna didn't have on heels she was so much shorter than Caleb. Caleb's eyes search hers until Hanna could see in his eyes that he figured it out.
"Our anniversary." Caleb says.
"See. I told you, you aren't dumb Caleb." Hanna says as Caleb's hands hold the side of her face.
"You named your boutique after our anniversary." Caleb says as Hanna looks up at him.
"What does it matter Caleb?" Hanna says as she moves out of his grasp. Hanna leaves her wine glass in the kitchen before she walks toward her window wall. Hanna looks out at the well-lit city. Philly was nothing like Manhattan. The lights being dim inside the loft made Hanna able to see Caleb walk up behind her.
"It matters because my passwords are still about me and you. I never changed them." Caleb says as Caleb turns Hanna so she can face him.
"Don't do this to me Caleb. You need to leave and go home to your fiancé." Hanna says as she feels the tears threaten to fall and she cursed them as they did. Caleb's thumb rubs Hanna's cheek removing the tears that fell.
"No Hanna, I need to stay right here with you, at least for tonight so I can confirm that I may be making the biggest mistake of my life." Caleb says as he slowly lowers his lips to Hanna's.