Page 60 of Habibi: Always and Forever

PASTRIES, PAWS, AND PROMISES

TRISTAN

“A re you sure you don’t want to stay? You’re tired, and I don’t mind going by myself.”

“Going to the store with my beautiful girlfriend is something I always look forward to,” I tell Hannah as I open the car door for her.

Once she’s settled, I round the vehicle and get into the driver’s seat. “Besides, we can grab a few snacks and drinks for our drive to LAX tomorrow.”

As soon as I say the words, I notice how her posture changes. It’s subtle, and if I wasn’t paying attention, I probably would’ve missed it. But catching her off guard makes it impossible for her to hide her reaction fast enough.

“Okay.” She smiles, although it doesn’t reach her gorgeous brown eyes.

The low music is the only sound inside the car while I drive us to the store. Hannah’s been acting weird lately, but whenever I ask if there’s something wrong, she says no and changes the subject.

Traveling the world with her family, which I’ve also come to consider my own over the past two years we’ve been together, is one of her dreams. I’ve been working a lot, and felt we needed to spend some quality time together, so when I suggested going to Europe to celebrate our second anniversary, and that we include Henry and Holly, I thought it would help with whatever was bothering her.

Apparently, I was wrong. The three weeks we spent touring Europe were amazing, but as soon as we got back yesterday, it’s like a switch has been flipped, and she doesn’t seem as excited or happy to be around me anymore.

Noticing the local store’s parking lot is packed, I drive straight to the front entrance, and she glances my way with a questioning look on her face.

“It looks like the whole town is here today. I’ll drop you off at the entrance so you don’t have to walk in this heat, and I’ll look for a parking spot. Is that okay?”

She nods while I get her as near as possible to the entrance without disturbing the flow of people going in and out of the store.

When I stop, she takes her seat belt off and turns toward me while opening the door. “I’ll try to be quick. We can meet at the snacks aisle to pick whatever you want for tomorrow.”

I grab her hand before it’s out of reach and kiss the top. “Don’t rush. I’ll meet you inside as soon as I park.”

She smiles, and for a brief moment, I can see a spark in her eyes. But it’s cut short as she shuts the door and rushes toward the entrance.

I stay a moment longer, watching her go inside, and then I put the car in drive again and start looking for a vacant spot.

Turns out I’m lucky because a huge SUV is pulling out of a spot, and it’s not far. I put my blinker on, and I’m waiting for the other car to leave when my phone starts ringing. I glance at the dashboard and see my brother’s name on the screen. I groan and answer the call.

“There better be a good reason for you to interrupt my last days of vacation two days early.”

“Well, now, is that the way to greet your favorite brother?” Alaric asks with a chipper tone.

“You’re definitely not my favorite brother,” I retort.

He gasps. “You’re lying. I know for a fact I’m your favorite one.”

“What do you want, Alaric?”

“Jesus, who pissed on your cornflakes?” When I don’t answer, he continues. “Seriously, man, what’s up with you? You’ve never cared before when we call you on vacation.”

He’s right. I won’t ever admit it to his face, but I don’t mind when my brothers or my parents call me, even if I’m on a weekend getaway or I’m spending time with my girlfriend.

But I can’t help but wonder if that’s part of the problem.

And, hell, I don’t even know if there is a problem or if I’m causing it.

“Sorry. It’s just been a weird day.” I sigh, not sure if I can or should confide in him. I love Alaric, but out of my three brothers, he’s the most unserious and carefree, and he’ll probably laugh if I tell him I think Hannah is about to break up with me.

Jesus Christ, just thinking there’s a possibility that Hannah doesn’t love me anymore makes my chest feel so tight that it’s difficult to breathe.

“How so? I thought the trip was going well.” Before I get to speak, he asks, “And where’s my girl?”

“She’s not your girl, she’s mine,” I growl with bitterness. I don’t care if I sound like a caveman. Hannah’s mine…at least for now.

“Okay, what the fuck is going on? Spill it, Tristan.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, too bad. You know there’s more than one way I can make your life hell, and I’ll do it until you tell me what’s happening.”

“Fine. But you better not fucking laugh, asshole, or I swear to God, I’ll beat your ass when I see you in a few days.” He doesn’t say anything, waiting for me to go on. “I think Hannah’s going to break up with me.”

I don’t think she loves me anymore. That’s what I should’ve said, but goddammit, the words get stuck in my throat, the ache in my chest feeling heavier.

“Tristan, what makes you think such nonsense?” I expected him to make fun of me, so his question throws me off a bit, and the truth is, I don’t have an answer.

“Did something happen during the trip?” he asks, and I take a deep breath before answering.

“No, actually, the trip was great. We had an amazing time. But that’s just it.

She was off before the trip, then we met Henry and Holly and spent the next few weeks together and everything was good.

She was back to being her happy self. But now we’re back and…

I don’t know. I think I’m the problem, and I wish I knew what I did wrong. ”

“You need to talk to her, man.”

A humorless laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

“You think I haven’t tried? Every time I ask her if there’s something wrong, she says no and that she’s fine, then she pretends that she is. But she seems genuinely fine around her family.”

“Still, I don’t think she wants to break up with you. We all see how she looks at you. With hearts in her eyes and all that romantic shit you love about her.”

“Maybe I’ve neglected her. Maybe I’ve been focusing too much on work, and she’s finally realizing how much I suck at relationships.”

“The only thing you suck at is being a better hacker than me.” Alaric laughs, but when I don’t try to refute his argument or laugh with him, he states, “Geez, you’re being serious.”

“Do I have to remind you how my last relationship before I met Hannah went?”

“That doesn’t mean you suck at relationships, dude.

Look, out of the two of us, I’m actually the expert on the topic because relationships are part of my business,” he reminds me.

“And the only reason why your previous one didn’t work was because she wasn’t the one.

Hannah is. You know it, and we know it. Hell, even the sugar world knows it, thanks to Shae. ”

That makes me chuckle.

“I’m serious, Tristan, you need to talk to her.

You’re great at sabotaging yourself when you get scared.

” I’m about to lie and tell him I’m not scared, when he continues, “And don’t deny it, fucker.

You’re scared shitless of losing her. Understandable because what you two have is the real deal, but you need to work on your communication skills. ”

“And if I’m right? If she doesn’t feel the same about me?”

“Then you’ll know and can work to solve the problem. That’s what you excel at.”

“Did you just admit that I’m a great problem solver?” I smirk, even though I know he can’t see me.

“Yeah, yeah. Look, I’m gonna let you go back to your girl. Talk to her, no excuses, and then text me if you need anything.”

“Wait, why did you call in the first place? What do you need?”

“Nothing important, I’ve got it. Go with your girl, and I’ll see you both in a couple of days.”

He ends the call before I have the chance to tell him that he’s way more confident than I feel at the moment. But maybe he’s right. My relationship with Hannah didn’t start in a conventional way, but I’m sure whatever’s happening, we can work it out.

I finally turn the car off, maybe pissing off the truck behind that was probably waiting for me to leave, and go in search of my girl.

* * *

HANNAH

“So, how was the trip? I see you got a bit of a tan,” Shae says through the screen.

When I got her FaceTime call, I considered not answering. I know Shae realized something was off, and that’s why she insisted on FaceTiming me instead of just texting like we’ve been doing for the last couple of weeks.

“The trip was amazing. We had a blast. Holly is considering applying for an artist’s scholarship somewhere in Europe now, which is great, but Dad is obviously trying to convince her that she should finish school here first and then spread her wings when she’s forty.

” I laugh just remembering that moment during dinner.

“What about you and Tristan? You two had a good two-year celebration? Can I start making your wedding dress now?”

That sobers me up. I couldn’t be happier, but something has been bothering me, and I don’t know how he’ll take it when I gather the courage to finally speak to him about it.

“Shae, you know a wedding isn’t in our plans yet. And after tomorrow, well, maybe you’ll have to start making your own wedding dress before you even consider designing mine.”

“What are you talking about? I designed yours the minute you got back with Tristan. Wait.” She sits up and picks up the phone from wherever it was to get it closer to her face. “Are you telling me you and Tristan are…?”

“No.” I shake my head and rush to explain. “Well, at least I don’t want to. Gosh, this is so hard.”

“What’s wrong?” she asks, frowning.

I look around, making sure there’s no one eavesdropping, which is why I chose the cleaning supplies aisle to answer the call.

“I can’t talk for long because Tristan is probably looking for me, but you’re my best friend, and I can’t lie to you.

I have to tell him something, and I’m scared that it’ll change things between us. ”

“Oh my God, you’re pregnant!” Shae jumps from her chair, making it fall over.