“No!” she said quickly. “I mean…we’re not meeting downstairs until after lunch, so…enjoy your muffin, take a shower, and maybe do some work. Grab some lunch and…”
“Mom?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you need my help or not? Because it kind of sounds like you don’t.”
“We do, but…we’re not ready to do it yet. We’re meeting down in the lobby around…” Pausing, she looked at her phone. “Two. Wait…one. No…” She scrolled and mumbled something under her breath. “Okay, you know what, let’s plan on being down in the lobby at noon so…” She looked at him and frowned again. “You’re going to need to hurry up and eat, Gage! You need to look presentable!”
When she got up and practically ran out of the apartment, he seriously had no idea what had just happened. With a shrug, he finished his breakfast and chalked it up to more of the craziness the residents seemed to instill in his mother. Maybe having her move wasn’t such a bad idea.
While he didn’t have to actually rush, Gage cleaned up his dishes and went to shower. Afterwards, he packed up his things so that he could leave tomorrow morning. If he did it now, there was less of a chance for his mother to hover and tell him how much he needed to stay. Hell, if things worked out the way he wanted, he could possibly leave tonight. There was no way he could pull a Hannah and leave without saying goodbye, but he could certainly be prepared to pack up and go when he wanted to.
“Yay, me,” he murmured.
As soon as everything was packed and he was dressed, he stripped the bed and started up a load of laundry to help out. Then he even vacuumed the room. It was barely after twelve when his phone rang.
“Hey, Mom! What’s up?”
“Gage, where are you? I thought you were coming down to help us!”
Glancing at the kitchen clock, he frowned. “It’s only ten after twelve! I was just finishing up a few things. I didn’t think I had to be downstairs at exactly twelve o’clock. Sheesh!”
“Well, you should have and we’re all waiting.” And then she hung up.
“Give me strength,” he mumbled, slipping his phone into his pocket and walking out the door. For the life of him, he had no idea how there could possibly be that much for him to help with. The decorations were all still in great shape and he never remembered any of the New Year’s decorations being more than a few banners. Why was she freaking out over it?
When he stepped out into the lobby five minutes later, at least a dozen people were waiting there staring at him.
“Um…hi?” he said cautiously.
“Finally,” his mother said, taking him by the hand and practically dragging him to the main common area. “Can you please get up on this ladder and get this banner up?”
Gage looked around and wondered why no one else was willing to do it. All around, people were cleaning and putting up new centerpieces on the tables and on the other side of the room, two older gentlemen were hanging a banner!
“Mom, what is going on?”
“What?” she squeaked. “Nothing! I mean…nothing. Why? We just need your help.”
“You’re acting weird.”
“You’re weird!” she countered. “Why are you being so suspicious?” Her hands immediately flew up to cover her mouth.
“Okay, that’s enough,” he said quietly and gently led her to the corner of the room. “It’s obvious that I’m not needed here and I appreciate how you’re trying to include me in things so I won’t have time to think about my breakup with Hannah, but…this is just a little too much. So I’m going to go upstairs and do some work. I’m already packed and all the bedding is in the laundry so…I plan on getting on the road around four.”
She didn’t argue with him or try to talk him out of it. If anything, she smiled serenely. “If that’s what you think is best, then…fine.”
Fine? Seriously? With a curt nod, he stepped around her and walked back out to the lobby. He heard a flutter of activity and people laughing, and then suddenly someone said, “Oh, Hannah! You’re back!”
Gage froze and turned toward the main doors and sure enough, there she was. His heart kicked hard in his chest and he was afraid to get his hopes up, but at the same time, why else would she be back in Evergreen?
And why did she have more luggage than she originally left here with?
Chapter Twelve
It was crazy that Hannah could feel this nervous, and yet…she did.
Her original plan had her driving back last night, but after she did everything she needed to, she was just way too tired to make the long trek by herself. Instead, she’d gotten up early, loaded up her car, and here she was.
With a very wary looking Gage staring at her.
Along with about two dozen other people.
She spotted Rebecca, who gave her a thumbs-up sign, and that was her cue. Feeling a little breathless, she awkwardly made her way over to him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said quietly. “Um…what are you doing here?”
Pointing to one of the smaller suitcases beside her, she said, “I thought you might need your suitcase.”
“Hannah…”
Okay, so he wasn’t ready to joke around yet. So…
“It’s kind of a long story. Is there somewhere we can talk in private? Maybe up in the suite?”
Shaking his head, he hesitated. “I’m not staying there anymore. I’m in Mom’s guestroom, so…”
Hannah looked around. “It looks like she’s busy, so if you’re okay going up to her place, that would be fine.”
Fortunately, he didn’t argue and instead walked over and pressed the button on the elevator. “Can I help you with any of this?”
Smiling, she pushed the largest of the suitcases toward him. “Thanks!” Then they stood silently, side by side, waiting for the elevator. She could practically feel him vibrating with the need to ask questions, but he was obviously going to bite his tongue and wait her out.
Which was all part of her plan.
Two minutes later, they were in the elevator with all her luggage and watching the doors slide shut. A slow smile played at her lips as she watched the numbered lights go from one to two and then…
The elevator came to a jarring stop, causing both of them to lose their balance and bang into each other. Gage immediately steadied her and asked if she was alright before looking around in confusion.
“Are we…? Did this seriously just…?”
Hannah joined him in confusion. “What in the world?”
Gage reached for the panel and hit the alarm button but nothing happened. Then he hit it again.
And again and again.
Finally, Hannah smacked his hand away. “Okay, obviously that button doesn’t work and hitting it repeatedly isn’t going to suddenly make it work.”
He let out a long breath before pulling out his phone, undoubtedly calling Rebecca.
“Mom, hey. The elevator seems to be stuck.” He paused and Hannah could hear Rebecca speaking, but not what she was saying. “Well can you send someone to go and find out?” Another pause. “Of course I’ll stay put! Where else am I going to go?” With a huff, he slid the phone back into his pocket. “They’re sending someone from maintenance to see what the problem is. She said the power’s on everywhere else in the building, so…”