NYLON ~ CHAPTER FORTY ~ FAIRY TALE LIFE
Hanna gave JT one last kiss on his forehead before she placed him in Ashley's arms. Then she grabbed her purse and headed uptown to the bistro where she was meeting Andrew. She was a few minutes early but when she arrived the hostess told her he was already there and led her to the table. Andrew had the same chiseled baby face he'd had in high school but as he stood up to greet her she noticed how much taller and muscular he'd become.
"It's good to see you," she said leaning in for a hug.
"I'm glad you agreed to this," he told her. "You look great."
"Thank you," Hanna smiled as they took their seats.
"Well I won't bore you with business just yet," he told her. "I'll let you get a drink in first."
"I'm not drinking," she told him.
"That's not the Hanna I remember," he teased.
"I'm a mom now," she reminded him, "and I'm still nursing so I've got to lay off the alcohol."
"You've definitely changed," he smiled, "but you definitely don't look like a mom. I never would have guessed you just had a baby."
"Why thank you," Hanna blushed. "That's nice to know."
After the compliments to win her over, Andrew suggested they order lunch. They made small talk over appetizers until Andrew shifted the conversation to his proposal.
"I want to market you as a brand," Andrew explained. "We'll start by reorganizing your blog and giving you a new spin that brings in subscribers. Then we can branch out into different products. Maybe bring your fashion background in and launch a clothing line; something in that family."
"Okay," Hanna said trying to take in this information. "How time consuming would that be. I'm still a mother and I need to make sure JT's needs are met first."
"I completely understand," he told her. "You'd only be doing the same work you are not keeping your blog going. I'll have my web design team update your website and everything else will be taken care of. We'll start implementing our own ads to increase revenue and take a ten percent cut from what you make."
"So, I'm basically just doing the same thing," Hanna echoed, "except getting paid for it?"
"Essentially yes," he replied, "but there is another topic I'd like to discuss with you. Allow me to speak frankly, but after knowing your history with A and the new fairy tale life you live, I was wondering if you would consider writing a memoir."
"A memoir?" Hanna mused. She was never much of a writer. Her blog posts were mostly videos and photos. Writing an entire book was not exactly her forte.
"I think there's definitely a marker for your story," Andrew explained. "The media painted you guys as the 'pretty little liars' but maybe it's time for you to tell your own story. A story with a happy ending."
"I'm not exactly a writer," she informed him.
"That's okay," he explained. "This is your story so only you can tell it right, but if you have trouble we have people who can help iron out the kinks."
"I think I should talk to the girls before I say yes," Hanna told him. "It's just as much their story as it is mine."
"Of course," Andrew smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
They finished their meal and Hanna promised to call him in the next week to get things moving with their business plan. Andrew paid the bill with his company car and walked her out to the valet where he helped her into the car before giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Hanna scrolled through her email reading the paperwork Andrew had sent over about the book. JT was already asleep and she could hear the soft lullaby playing in his room over the monitor. She finished the last sip from her water glass before getting up to refill it. Just as she sat back down again she heard the elevator door open and Caleb's familiar footsteps in the hallway.
"Hey," he smiled.
"You're home late," she replied.
"I had dinner with a client," he replied.
"Until twelve?" she asked glancing at the clock.
"She lives upstate," he replied. "I offered to take her home so she didn't have to take the train."
"She?" Hanna raised an eyebrow.
"Hanna, it's nothing like that," he rubbed her shoulders. "It's just business."
"Okay," she sighed shutting her laptop. "I better get some sleep."
"Wait," he said as she got up. Caleb pulled her close to him and kissed her softly.
Hanna lazily pressed her hand to her cheek and brought him down to her level for a kiss. A shiver ran down her body as his hands roamed under her top. Finally, his fingertips grazed the soft pouch of skin weighing low on her abdomen.
"Stop," Hanna pushed his hand away.
"What's wrong?" he asked confused.
"I'm just not feeling very sexy," she replied.
"Okay," he backed off grabbing his briefcase off the counter. "I need to get some work done."
"Caleb, I'm sorry," she sighed. "I'm just sensitive right now."
"Why don't you just get some sleep," he said kindly kissing her forehead. She noticed he barely touched her as he did. Feeling conflicted she stepped into her bedroom and crawled into bed. She realized she hadn't even gotten a chance to tell him about her meeting. Suddenly everything in her life was starting to feel too overwhelming and a small tear slid down her eye.
Thanks for all the reviews! I have a small request, though. I know I took a huge hiatus and I'm not sure if you guys are still reading. I'm working a lot lately so this story is taking a backseat but I want to keep delivering chapters if you're still interested. If you're reading, I would appreciate it greatly if you would just drop me a line so I know to keep publishing. Send me a message or leave a review and if I get enough, I'll keep this story going with a guaranteed chapter every Sunday. Can we do that? Also, to thank you for your patience, here is a peek into the next chapter!
"Hey," she smiled inviting Emily in.
"How were they?" Emily asked coldly.
"Great," Hanna replied. "They're playing in the other room. Are you okay?"
In that moment Emily nearly collapsed as tears rolled down her face, Hanna put her arms around her and helped her into a chair.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Hanna asked her.
