Fresh Start, page 21
“Maybe she’s had other things on her mind.” Judy teased. She finished scanning the groceries and Hannah slid her card and typed in her pin. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. She liked Judy, but she hadn’t been prepared to see Alyssa’s mom on what was supposed to be a quick trip to the store. Judy handed her the receipt and the bagger finished with her bags. “Are you joining us for dinner tomorrow night?”
“Dinner?”
“Yes, Alyssa and I are having dinner together the next few Sundays.”
“Oh, right. Because of the flowers.”
“She told you about that?”
“She said you wouldn’t accept American currency.” Hannah smiled back at her.
“No, I only accept mom currency. Will you be joining us?”
“Shouldn’t that just be the two of you?”
“Not if you two are spending so much time together.”
“She hasn’t asked me and I think she should probably ask me.” Hannah replied as she put her hands on her cart.
“Well, it’s my dinner and I’m asking you so consider yourself invited and if Alyssa has a problem with that, she can take it up with me.” She winked. “Now, go enjoy your breakfast.”
Hannah nodded and left the store.
***
“Hey.” Hannah greeted.
Alyssa heard her from the bathroom where she was brushing her hair to pull it back into a pony tail. She’d dressed in jeans and Hannah’s oversized shirt from the night before just because she could.
“Let me help.” Alyssa walked into the living room where she watched Hannah carry in two paper bags of groceries and set them on the counter.
“No need. This is it. I put the rest away in my place already.” Hannah leaned over and kissed Alyssa’s lips while Alyssa put the final touches on her pulled back hair. “I like your hair pulled back like that. It looks nice.”
“Thank you.” Alyssa returned and gripped Hannah’s hips from behind. “I like that you’re wearing my shirt right now.”
Hannah had borrowed one of Alyssa’s new V-neck shirts along with a pair of her yoga pants and flip-flops to go to the store.
“Oh shit.” Hannah realized something and Alyssa turned her around to face her.
“What?”
“That’s how she knew.”
“Same question still applies.”
“I went to the grocery store.”
“I know.”
“Where your mother works.”
“You went to that grocery store?” Alyssa hadn’t thought to tell her to go to the one a little further out if she didn’t want to run into Judy. Judy had been the last thing on her mind prior to Hannah’s departure.
“Yes, I went to that grocery store and she saw me wearing your clothes.”
Alyssa smiled and then laughed at the thought of poor Hannah running into her stubborn mother wearing Alyssa’s clothes the morning after their first date.
“I’m sorry, Han. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Well, she obviously was. She also noticed that I bought orange pineapple juice and some bread and jam combo that must be your favorite.”
“She knows we’re sleeping together.” Alyssa realized with a laugh. “I guess this way I don’t have to give her those details she wanted.”
“Details?”
“She knew we were going out and she said she wanted details. Thanks to you, I don’t have to give them now.”
Hannah pushed back on her shoulders causing Alyssa to laugh as she took a few steps back.
“Oh, you’re not out of the woods yet, babe. She invited me to your mother daughter dinner tomorrow night.”
“She did?”
“Yes, and she said I am her guest and if you have a problem with it, you have to take it up with her.” Hannah proclaimed. Alyssa was certain she had never felt lighter, happier than in this moment. This morning was incredibly domestic. Last night was incredibly sexy and everything she wanted from her first time with Hannah. Today though, they were talking about breakfast food and dinner with her mother and they were wearing each other’s clothes and it felt perfect to her. Hannah was perfect for her. “What’s that look you’re giving me right now?” Hannah asked. “Do you not want me to come because I’ll make up an excuse. I promise I didn’t ask to-”
Alyssa took a few steps toward her and swept the hair behind her ear, keeping her hand there holding her face.
“I want you there. I’m glad she invited you. I would have invited you today anyway.”
“You would have?”
“Yes, I want you and her to spend some time together. Not a lot though because I am afraid of the stories she will tell you, but you two and Dean are the most important people in my life. I’d like us all to spend time together. I think she’s really going to like you.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Hannah turned to begin unpacking the groceries. “There’s this work thing I have to go to tonight at McGovern’s. The staff is throwing me this welcome night thing.”
“Okay. Do you think it will go late? Maybe you can come by after or I can go to your place when you get back.”
“Just come with me.” Hannah handed her the eggs.
“To the work thing?”
“It’s just drinks. It probably won’t go on too long and I don’t plan on having more than one drink around my staff anyway.”
“That might not be the best idea.” Alyssa turned toward the stove and pulled out one of her mom’s old pans to cook the eggs in, but she made the move mainly so she could avoid Hannah’s gaze.
“Because of last night?”
“Mainly.” She replied after a moment and turned on the stove. “It’s just if someone recognizes me, there will be pictures or reporters again.”
“I get it.” Hannah sounded disappointed.
“Something happened last night.” Alyssa tried to explain.
“I know, babe. I was there.”
“No, I mean something else happened.” Alyssa turned to face her and Hannah stopped pulling the groceries out of the bag. “Before, it was just me. The cameras were on me and that was bad enough, but last night-”
“They were on me too?”
“And I don’t want that for you.” Alyssa professed. “And two nights in a row-” She paused. “People will start talking and they’ll figure out that we’re together and then they’ll figure out who you are and I don’t want cameras showing up at the hotel when you’re trying to work or them diving into your life like they’ve done with mine.”
“Together?” Hannah squinted her eyes.
“Huh?”
“You said they’ll figure out that we’re together.” Hannah repeated with a smile and took a step toward Alyssa. She tugged on Alyssa’s shirt. “Are we together?” She asked with a lifted eyebrow and a gentle kiss to Alyssa’s nose. Alyssa knew how she wanted to respond. She wanted to be with this woman. She wanted her all to herself and she only wanted to be with her. She also knew that her life right now was complicated and adding a girlfriend to that might make things more complicated for her, but also for Hannah and that wasn’t fair to her. “Stop thinking and just answer.” Hannah encouraged and tugged again. “I know you’re worried about me, but I am an adult and I can take care of myself. I am not worried about cameras or them digging around my life. Stop trying to protect me for a second and actually tell me what you want.”
“You.” Alyssa replied honestly. “I want you.”
“You have me. I’m right here.” Hannah wrapped her arms around Alyssa’s shoulders.
“I only want you.” Alyssa explained.
“And I only want you so there we go.” Hannah kissed her on the lips.
“I haven’t had a girlfriend in a very long time.” Alyssa stated. “I might be bad at it.”
“You haven’t been so far.”
“I think anyone that observed my behavior last night might disagree.”
“There are exactly two people that matter and we’re both right here. We had some bumps last night, but none of them were your fault, Al. After everything that happened, you still came and got me and we’re here. You haven’t pushed me away and you’re still talking to me. So, just keep talking to me and we’ll be fine, okay?”
“Okay.” Alyssa breathed in and out and welcomed the long, languid kiss that Hannah offered.
“Now, cook me breakfast.” Hannah said to Alyssa’s lips. “I’m going to hop in the shower.”
“Here or at your place?” Alyssa asked.
“My place probably. I need to put on some of my own clothes anyway.” She pulled back. “Where do we stand on the whole drinks tonight thing?”
“I realize we just became a couple and this probably doesn’t make me girlfriend of the year, but can I skip it tonight?”
“Yes, you can skip it. I’d skip it if I could. I’d rather be here with you anyway, but can we maybe do a late dinner after at my place? I bought some stuff at the store. I’m not the best cook in the world, but even I don’t think I can mess up spaghetti.”
“Italian again?”
“We didn’t technically finish our meals last night.”
“True.”
“So, can we do the late dinner?”
“Sounds great.”
“Good. I’ll be back in ten.” She walked toward the door and closed it behind her.
Alyssa had a girlfriend. She thought about the past few weeks and how nearly everything had changed since she’d emerged from that prison. She’d been so defeated then and wondered how anything in her life could ever get better and she’d managed to find a job she could at least stand for a while, a place to live that wasn’t with her mother and a woman she loved. Alyssa dropped an egg on the floor at that realization.
“Shit.” She said and grabbed a paper towel to begin cleaning up the mess.
She was in love with Hannah Granger. She’d never been a believer in love at first sight or even love after a few dates. It took her time to tell Rachel and Ty that she loved them. In fact, both of them said it first. Rachel told her over a romantic dinner and Alyssa said it back because she felt it, but she’d known Rachel had loved her for a while before that. With Ty, he’d said it first while they were sitting on the couch watching a movie. They’d been together for a while by then, but she understood Ty to be a cautious guy especially with Lizzy so the fact that it had taken them a while to get there, didn’t surprise her.
But Hannah was different. Alyssa saw her in the office for the first time and there was something about her that made her want to know more. She wanted to talk to her, to see her, to spend more time with her and then to touch her and it had been all she could think about since the moment she’d seen her. She had no control over it. Her feelings for Hannah were intense and new and amazing and terrifying, but they were real and she knew that. She knew enough to know that.
Chapter 21:
Breakfast had turned into lunch by the time it was prepared and eaten, but a couple of hours later, they were eating the sandwiches Hannah had made for them anyway because they’d spent the in between time having sex and were starving by four in the afternoon. They ate naked in bed and when they finished, Hannah rested her head on Alyssa’s chest and ran her fingers up and down her abdomen.
“I’m really starting to like being the small spoon.” Hannah expressed and felt Alyssa’s laugh more than heard it.
“You can be the small spoon whenever you want.” Alyssa provided and ran her hand through Hannah’s hair.
“I am exhausted.” Hannah admitted. “You’ve worn me out. I must be getting old. I can’t keep up with my hot, twenty something girlfriend.”
“You are not getting old and your twenty something girlfriend-”
“Hot, twenty something girlfriend.” Hannah interjected.
“Fine. Your hot, twenty something girlfriend is also exhausted and happens to think her girlfriend is sexy as hell.”
Hannah laughed this time and ran her fingertips up and down Alyssa’s thigh.
“How about we sleep for an hour or so before I have to go?”
“The part about sleeping sounds good. The part about you having to go is not my favorite.” Alyssa held her tighter.
“I’ll come back quick, I promise.” Hannah wrapped an arm around Alyssa’s stomach and she fell asleep moments later in that position.
Alyssa had said goodbye to Hannah when she had to rush, begrudgingly out the door to her own apartment to dress and then head to McGovern’s for the drink with her staff. Alyssa kissed her goodbye outside her apartment and then walked over to her mother’s because she didn’t have anything else to do, but wait for Hannah to return.
“So, you’re together?” Judy asked as they sat in the living room together sipping on coffee.
“Yeah.” Alyssa replied.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that?” Alyssa questioned. “It took me forever to find her.” She said before she could stop herself.
“Forever? Your definition of forever is pretty short, dear.” Judy retorted.
‘You know what I mean.” Alyssa tried to diminish her comment and took a long drink of the bitter, hot liquid.
“It appears that I don’t. Why don’t you fill me in?”
“Mom.” Alyssa drew out the word.
“Alyssa.” Judy drew out her name. “Tell me.”
“I think I might love her.” She admitted.
“Oh, of course you do.”
“No, mom I mean it.”
“I know. That’s why I said of course you do.”
“Explain.” Alyssa sat her cup on the table and turned to face her mother.
“Sweetie, I’ve seen how you look at her and I’ve heard you talk about her. I can tell you feel very strongly for her and if you’re in love, then I’m happy. Why do you think I invited her to dinner tomorrow night? I want to size her up properly.”
“You don’t need to size her up. She’s amazing, mom.”
“I believe you.”
“I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t prepared for it, but I am crazy about her. She’s patient and kind and funny and caring and I’m crazy about her.”
“You said you’ve been waiting forever.” Judy recalled.
“I guess I did.” Alyssa still wasn’t entirely sure what had caused her to make that particular comment.
“That’s what it feels like.” Judy supplied and sat her own mug down.
“What what feels like?” Alyssa questioned.
“When you’ve found the one, Alyssa.”
Alyssa’s eyes got big. She had a flash of every one of her relationships pass though her mind all in an instant. Her boyfriends before Megan, her first relationship with Megan and then her deeper connection to Rachel followed by her time with Ty and as she sat on the sofa with her mother, she realized her mother just might be right.
“We’ll see, mom. We’ve been together less than twelve hours and we’ve only known each other-”
“That’s crap and you know it. It’s not how long you know someone that matters. If you love them, you love them.” Judy paused. “You mind telling me why you’re here with me instead of with her right now? Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but it seems a little strange to me that you two have been inseparable recently, but tonight, you’re here.”
“She had a work thing tonight at McGovern’s.”
“She had a work thing at a bar?”
“They’re throwing her a welcome party or something. It’s just drinks, I guess. We’re having dinner later though.”
“She didn’t invite you to go with her?”
“She did. I declined.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with what happened in LA last night, would it?”
“What?” Alyssa moved to pick up her coffee, but stopped at that comment.
“I do watch the news, Aly Lynn. I saw the story this morning before I went to work.”
Alyssa explained what had happened at the restaurant, but she left out the part about seeing Rachel and Jessica. She wasn’t entirely sure why that part was something she didn’t want to reveal, but she kept it to herself all the same and explained the rest of the story and how Hannah had taken care of her. She also left out the passionate night of love making they’d shared and just stuck with they went to sleep and woke up in the morning.
“So, you’re afraid of her getting scared off?” Judy asked when she finished.
“I don’t know. She says she’s okay with everything, but I don’t know. What if this doesn’t let up anytime soon? What if she’s okay with it now, but gets tired of it later and we’re in too deep by then and I get my heart broken?”
“Honey, I think you’re already too far in, but I also think you have to trust what she’s telling you. If she says she understands and is willing to put up with those fuckers who won’t leave you alone when you don’t deserve any of it, then I think you trust that and I think you should probably understand that someone who is willing to do all of this for you must really care deeply.” Judy rarely swore, but when she did, she meant it and Alyssa could always hear the shift in her mother’s tone when she referred to the press, lawyers, police officers who’d arrested her and the public who’d never supported her.
“I guess you’re right.”
“I think you also didn’t go because you’re scared to go out and I understand that, I do, but I also think you should go.”
“It’s a little late now.” Alyssa looked at the clock. It was already seven.
“It will take you fifteen minutes to get over there. Take the car, but be careful. Don’t drink or speed or get pulled over for anything or the ticket you get for driving on an expired license will be the next news story about you.”
“Mom.”
“Aly Lynn, if people stare at you, just stare at Hannah. If they whisper about you, just whisper in Hannah’s ear. Push all the other crap away and focus on her.”
“It’s not exactly that easy.”
“She’s your girlfriend and she’s at her first official work event without you.”
“I’ll just be a distraction.”
“Not to her you won’t and isn’t she the only one that really matters?”
