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I’m sorry I offended you. I just... don’t know what kind of relationship I am capable of.
The parking lot was empty, and he was in his car before she returned the text.
I understand. See you tomorrow.
That was it? Had his apology not been enough? Or maybe she had just wanted to go alone. Maybe having to attend his lessons every day was starting to wear on her. Maybe it was too much time with him, even though he had moved back into his house.
After the next lesson, the one Sabum had requested Hannah be there for, he would release her from any responsibility. He made a promise to himself, right then and there, he wasn’t going to waste any more of her time.
The next day, the office was decorated with balloons and streamers to celebrate Rueben’s retirement. It was good to have something else to focus on because Hannah wanted nothing to do with Jason. He hadn’t needed to keep his distance because she barely talked to him.
Rueben shared tearful stories and finally announced Jason would be taking over when everyone came back from the weekend. In a few more days, he would be moving into Rueben’s office, leaving Hannah to stay in his old one. It would create even more distance between them, but maybe it was good. Except the more he thought about pushing away from her, the more he wanted her. Seeing her talk with colleagues across the room was like seeing her as another person. She laughed and talked cheerfully with everyone she interacted with, and the jealousy bug bit hard.
Rueben pulled him aside at the end of the day and told him how impressed he was with his efforts. “Hannah’s really the key to everything. Don’t lose her.”
Jason winced. What would his grandfather think, knowing he was going to wreck everything for himself after his practice that night?
Just as Hannah grabbed the door handle to leave for the evening, Jason called to her. “Are you coming to”—he swallowed hard and dropped his gaze— “practice tonight?” He’d never realized how much he hated that word.
She’d been friendly but aloof the whole workday, but surely, she still supported him.
“Sabum specifically asked that you come. Maybe he wants you to beat me to a pulp.”
She didn’t even crack a smile.
He needed to make everything right. “And I’d like to talk to you about something. Away from the office.”
She nodded once. “I guess I’ll be there then.”
He ran a hand through his hair as she left the office, leaving a feeling of emptiness and longing with him. His heart felt ready to burst and jump from his chest. Even staying seated when she was in the office was a challenge.
Around noon, he had found her in the break room, laughing and eating with a group of male medical assistants that he knew to be particularly flirtatious.
It had nearly made the remainder of his workday impossible. But . . . he would end this and eventually move on.
An hour later, he was surprised to see Hannah, not Sabum, in the middle of the gym floor, dressed for a lesson.
“What are you—where’s Sabum?”
She cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest. “He’s busy. I am in charge of today’s lesson.”
“You?” He forced out the word.
Her lips twitched, but she didn’t smile. “Yes, me, and Sabum told me not to go easy on you. Defend yourself, or I will attack you.” She took a step forward and glared at him. “If you run, I’ll chase you. If you try to escape, I’ll pin you to the floor. All rules are off the table for this lesson. We’re going to wrestle a little to get over this little barrier you have.”
He gulped. He’d never seen her so serious.
“Now, take your stance.” She pointed to the center of the mat, and the two of them moved in front of each other.
He nodded and bowed. His heart raced as something like anger flashed in her eyes.
Then, suddenly, she came at him, arms like daggers thrusting toward him. He held up his arms to block his face, and she jabbed him in the stomach.
He groaned and reached for his middle, and she put her leg out and tripped him.
He fell face forward to the ground. “Cheap shot,” he muttered.
But she wasn’t done with him yet. Before he could even stand, she squatted on the ground and grabbed him with both arms. But, this time, he was too quick. He pushed her off and rose to a kneeling position. When he had his balance, he held her arms back until the two of them were inches apart, panting and glaring at each other. His knees ached from crouching, but he refused to buckle.
