SECOND CHANCES

Chapter 2

Most would say their favorite part about owning a bridal shop was seeing how happy the bride was when she found her dress. But for me it was closing time. It was hanging up all the discarded dresses, feeling each fabric beneath my fingertips. Thinking about how each one will make some girl the happiest person on the planet.

It was an odd thing to like, but for me it gave me some sort of peace at the end of the day. It was something I use to watch my mom do. At the end of the day she would go through each dress, sometimes moving them around as if she knew the next day someone would come looking for that exact dress.

I use to sit at the counter watching as she moved around the quiet empty store, stuck in her own little world. Always wondering what went through her head. One day I did ask her why she did what she did and her answer was simple.

It is my job to make some women feel the most confident, beautiful, person she can be on her special day. The dress is the most important part of the wedding and if I can make that day even more special than I have succeeded. Most don't believe bridal shops are important but little do they know we have the most important job.

I never really understood it but once I saw the effect of finding the perfect dress for their perfect day, I understood what my mom meant. The look on their face was priceless. After I experienced what my mom meant I found myself doing exactly what she did at the end of everyday. Made me feel even more connected to her, like every time I did this she was right beside me doing the same.

After doing my usual rounds of making sure everything was put away and good for tomorrow, I finally locked the store down and headed for my car. I was already dreading going home because I knew Hannah was laying in wait for me to walk through the front door. The moment I do she will pounce.

Throughout the rest of the work day she kept giving me looks about going on the double date, and each time I would ignore her. She had no idea how depressing it was going on these dates with her. It never ended up well. On her end it did. She would go home with the guy while I was stuck either fending off the friend or going home alone.

Going home alone while knowing she was off being happy with someone just made it even worse. Part of it was my fault because I truly never tried. I was nice to the guys and made conversation but my heart wasn't in it.

I wasn't looking for a relationship, haven't for years. I didn't....I didn't have it in me to love someone like that anymore.

That was something Hannah couldn't wrap her head around. She felt that by now I should be ready to find someone and if I didn't want love I could at least hook up with the person. A little fun never hurt someone, she would repeatedly say. I just wasn't like that. I don't hook up.

As soon as I walked up to the door of my apartment I took a deep breath. Just let her say what she wants but hold your ground. Don't say yes. I told myself firmly.

Opening the door I fully expected Hannah to launch at me immediately but instead it was oddly quiet. Confused I closed the door behind me and ventured further into the apartment. I could hear the soft murmurs of the voices on tv but that was it. No loud music playing, no horrible singing coming from the kitchen as Hannah made dinner. Hell I even expected a loud 'HA' to come out from behind me at any moment.

"Hannah?" I called out. Maybe she wasn't home?

Coming around the corner to the living room I first saw the tv going before my eyes landed on Hannah. She was silently sitting on the couch, crossed legged, staring directly at the tv. Uhh.

"Han?" I spoke, coming further into the room. "You okay?"

"Good you are home." When she spoke her voice was low and it almost sounded like she was trying to speak in an accent. I moved to stand in front of the tv, directly across from her. The sight before me made me grin.

Hannah was seated on the couch, our cat Milo, laying in her lap as she stroke his fur. She had a hard look on her face as she stared at me.

"You come into my home-" She started, once again speaking in a Boston/New York accent, although it was far from it.

"What the hell are you doing?" I laughed breaking her speech.

"Bellaaa." She groaned, throwing her head back. "I was trying to intimidate you." My grin got wider.

"Maybe lose the fake accent next time." I suggested. Milo jumped off of her lap, making his way towards me, further ruining the scene Hannah had tried so hard to set up. "Hey buddy." I crouched down, rubbing the purring kitty.

"How long have you been sitting here waiting for me?"

"Twenty minutes." She muttered standing up.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I ordered Chinese so go get changed before it gets here." At the mention of Chinese my mouth instantly watered.

"I could kiss you right now." I was beyond starving and nothing was better than So Ho's Chinese house from down the street.

"If only I swung that way." She winked at me before disappearing into the kitchen. Laughing I straightened back up and headed for my room. More than ready to get into some comfy clothes. If only I could work in sweats, I'd be the happiest person on the planet.

I was in the middle of taking my makeup off when I heard the doorbell ring. That alone sent me into action. I took off my makeup faster than normal and practically ran into the living room. Instantly the smell of Chinese hit me.

"Food." I moaned.

One thing that bonded me and Hannah almost instantly was food. When we went to a restaurant for the first time together and she ordered the biggest burrito on the menu, I knew I met my soul mate. It could be a bit scary how much both of us could eat in one sitting.

After we both filled out plates, moved to the couch, and ate a few bites did Hannah finally start talking again.

"So about before." She started. Damn, a part of me wished she had forgotten about it.

"Do we have to talk about this?" I asked around a mouthful of noodles.

"Yes we do."

"Han I'm not ready." I muttered, looking down at my plate of food. I pushed my food around, the sudden topic making me lose my appetite.

"Bella it's been five years."