Hanna had been looking forward to this night for days. A girls' night out—her very first—planned meticulously with Candice and Andy. The excitement had been building, but now, as she stood in the middle of the living room, facing her mother's resolute expression, that excitement was quickly unraveling.
"No way, Hanna!" Her mother's voice rang with finality, slicing through any hope she had left. "You're not going out tonight."
Hanna's heart sank. She had tried everything—pleading, reasoning, even attempting to charm her way into approval—but none of it had worked. Her mother's stance remained as firm as ever, her lips pressed into a tight line that spoke volumes. There was no room for negotiation.
Frustration simmered beneath Hanna's skin. What more could she possibly say to convince her mother? She had been so sure that this time would be different. Just as she opened her mouth to try one last plea, the sudden chime of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts.
With a resigned sigh, she trudged to the door, already prepared for whatever fate had in store for her. When she pulled it open, she was met with Nick's familiar, composed expression. He stood there with a small stack of papers in his hands, his gaze meeting hers with an almost lazy ease.
"Hi," she greeted, the irritation from her prior argument slipping into her tone.
Nick's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing. He tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting together. "What happened?"
Before she could respond, her mother's voice floated in from behind her, the warmth in it a stark contrast to the tone she had used with Hanna just moments ago. "Welcome, Nick!" she greeted, her demeanor shifting almost instantly.
Nick gave her a polite nod as he stepped inside. "Dad asked me to drop off some papers for Uncle," he explained, his voice steady as always.
Hanna barely paid attention. Her mind was still stuck on her mother's refusal, her plans falling apart before they even had the chance to begin. She crossed her arms, her mood souring further. That was until her mother spoke again, her voice tinged with something almost mischievous.
"Good thing you're here, Nick." Her mother's smile was brighter than before, her eyes glinting with an idea that Hanna couldn't quite decipher.
Nick raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering across his features. "Need something?"
Her mother nodded, her excitement barely contained. "I want you to do me a favor, honey."
Nick's amusement was evident. "Anything for you."
Hanna frowned, watching the exchange with growing suspicion. Then came the words she least expected:
"I want you to go out with Hanna."
She blinked. Surely, she had misheard. Shopping? With Nick?
Her mother's phone rang before she could protest, and with a quick excuse, she disappeared into another room, leaving Hanna and Nick alone in the silence that followed.
Nick turned to her, his lips twitching into an amused smirk. "Shopping? That's it?"
Hanna huffed, shaking her head. "It's not shopping. It's a girls' night out. My friends will be there too."
Nick's eyes gleamed with interest. "Friends?"
She shot him a look, already regretting saying anything. "Yes, friends. Not that many, only two."
"Two?" he echoed, his tone laced with mild skepticism.
Before she could snap back at him, her mother reemerged, ending her call. Nick's smirk deepened, and something in his expression told Hanna he was already enjoying this far more than he should.
YOU ARE READING
Stole My Heart 💕
Short StoryNick raised an eyebrow, then pointed at her before jerking his head toward the door, a silent command. She hesitated, clearly unsure if he was addressing her. He gave a firm nod to confirm. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out...
