The Girl Who Wouldn't Be Bought
Chapter 17 - The Girl Who Wouldn't Be Bought
Adrian had grown close to Hannah gradually. They talked about Lucia's progress, about grief, about Ben's plans to become a teacher, and about the strange ways people protected themselves from disappointment.
But Hannah remained cautious. She knew Adrian's money and reputation could change the balance between them in a moment. She had already lost a job because his family wielded influence irresponsibly. She would not enter another relationship in which someone else held all the choices.
One afternoon Adrian asked her to dinner, outside any work arrangement and without Lucia as a reason.
“Is this a date?” she asked.
“I'd like it to be. But only if that's what you want.”
She considered him. “I need to know you're not asking because I helped your daughter.”
“I'm asking because I like who you are. And because you've been honest with me even when I didn't enjoy hearing it.”
Hannah smiled faintly. “That's a dangerous habit.”
“So I've learned.”
They chose an ordinary neighborhood restaurant, not one Adrian owned. Hannah paid for dessert. He protested. She told him equality sometimes looked like splitting the check.
He laughed and let her.
They spoke about Elena openly. Hannah didn't ask him to stop loving his late wife, and Adrian didn't compare the two women. What they were building was new, and both understood it needed time.
When he walked her home, he asked whether he could see her again.
“Yes,” she said. “But don't make any grand promises.”
He nodded. “No grand promises.”
“Just show up.”
“I can do that.”
May you like
She watched him leave, her heart unexpectedly light. The man she had first seen across a restaurant table was still complicated, still carrying a dangerous family history. But he was trying to change his life through ordinary choices rather than declarations.
That mattered to her.
