Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

Her eyes are the same. Those golden irises full of all the emotion she tries to keep off her face.

Her throat moves on a swallow.

Then, for the first time in fifteen years, Hannah Utley speaks to me. “I got my degree from Winona State, sir.”

Sir.

The corner of my mouth twitches.

“Did you go there all four years?” I goad her.

Hannah lifts her chin the smallest amount. “No, I did my first two years at community college. Then I finished my degree with online classes.”

“Why?”

Dana clears her throat next to me, but I keep my gaze on Hannah.

She glances away before replying. “My work schedule changed.”

Her tone is clipped. Almost angry.

Peter makes a sound of understanding. “Admirable that you stuck with it.”

Hannah turns to Peter. Not just turning her head but shifting her whole body, giving me her shoulder. “Thank you. It was a lot at times but worth it.”

I can see a sliver of the smile she gives him. And it makes me want to fire Peter.

“Well,” Dana sighs. “We don’t need to keep you any longer. Thank you so much for coming up and talking to us.” She looks to me, then Peter. “Either of you have any more questions?”

“Nope,” Peter answers first, and I can practically hear his smile.

I have a thousand questions for Hannah.

Why did you run away from me?

Why did you drop out of HOP U to do online classes?

Why are you looking at me like I’m the one who ghosted you?

And most importantly, is it really Miss Utley?

Instead of voicing any of them, I shake my head.

Dana nods. “Alright, well, unless you have any questions for us, you’re free to head back downstairs.”

Hannah pushes her chair back and stands. But before she turns away, she pauses. “Um, just… Can you tell me how long before you decide?”

“Decide what?” Dana asks.

Hannah glances at me, then looks back at my CEO. “If I get to keep my job?”

Something invisible hits me in the center of my chest.

Her hands are clutched in front of her stomach. And just like when they were on the table, her knuckles are white with tension. She’s squeezing her fingers so hard it must hurt.

Is this why she’s acting so tense? Did she think I would fire her? Dismiss her from her position as punishment for walking out of my life fifteen years ago?

“Oh,” Dana laughs. “You have nothing to worry about. We’re happy to have you on the team.”