Page 16 of Feels Like the First Time
“Don’t be sorry, just be honest with me.” Sensing that this was ahave a seatkind of conversation, he sat back down. This time he took her hands and pulled her onto the step with him. “You knew she was coming so what’s with the theatrics?”
Ali let loose a big breath and met his gaze. “Bridget showed up with champagne and my mom. They were talking decorations and venues, and how I’d need a date. They were moments away from discussing the pros and cons of silk versus lace when you showed up with the damn pie, and I couldn’t let her…not again.”
Without a word, Hawk shifted closer. He didn’t pat her back or offer her his shoulder, Ali would have been offended. But he sat close enough so that she could feel his strength. “I didn’t know Gail was coming.”
She sent him a sidelong glance. “You know her, she loves surprises.”
She was also relentless when it came to Ali. Her choice in career, men, lifestyle. Why she’d never left Marty to go and live with her. It was as if Ali’s insistence on living life against the grain somehow reflected poorly on Gail.
Funny, since Hawk had always considered it one of Ali’s strongest attributes. But Gail was determined to rid her of her rebellious side. And when she was reminded that it was a losing battle, she’d disappear on Ali—and break her heart a little more.
“I also know you,” he said, softly bumping her shoulder with his. “You hate surprises and blind dates. Not to mention, Jamie isn’t your type. Not nearly enough tattoos and I bet he doesn’t even have a police record.”
“Jamie wasn’t my date, but you already knew that.” Yeah he did. But it didn’t stop the squirrelly feeling taking over his gut. “His friend Stew was supposed to be my date, but I guess he’s a no-show.”
“So what? I’m your beard.”
She turned fully to face him. “No. I’m offering to be yours.”
He laughed, but it came out sounding hollow. Because Ali always rooted for the underdog, and if she was looking at him with the same pity in her eyes as she’d had the day she visited him in the hospital to tell him Bridget was filing for divorce, then he was in for one hell of a night. “She’s engaged, isn’t she?”
“They’re announcing it tonight,” she said so softly Hawk barely heard her over the pounding of his heart. “And my dad is throwing a shower for her, here in Destiny Bay. He’s really excited to be able to be a part of the wedding plans this time around.”
“Shit.” Hawk stood. When that didn’t help, he paced until he felt as if he was going to explode. He’d done everything she’d asked of him, and all he’d asked is that she leave him alone. Then again, he was the genius who told Luke not to worry, that he’d deliver the pie.
Luke had given him the same worried look that Ali had when she’d opened the front door and saw it was him. As if he was about to go back down the rabbit hole he’d finally escaped. He’d meant it when he said he’d come to bring Ali the pie. But now, with his heart in his throat, choking the hell out of him, he wondered if he’d been lying to himself.
Maybe he had come here to catch a glimpse of Bridget, to prove to himself that he was over her. Or maybe he’d come here to see the girl who he’d promised never to give up on.
“She doesn’t even want a fucking party here. This is just another one of her games.”
“I know,” Ali said, even though she knew he was talking more to himself than her.
Bridget had done a number on him, letting him go only to reel him back in when he’d start to move on—or she found herself feeling lonely. Only Hawk could no longer stomach being pulled back into this yo-yo of a relationship. Was desperate to cut the string, ached for some finality on the situation. And maybe this was what he needed to hear, that she was no longer available.
No longer his to fight for. Not that it would deter Bridget from spewing her marital bliss all over Destiny Bay until there wasn’t a place Hawk could go without being reminded that his ex-wife had officially left him for greener pastures.
“Look, I know you were trying to help, but I’m fine,” he said, assuring himself that since he hadn’t punched anyone or anything, he was acting completely within the realm of fine, after hearing about Bridget’s engagement. “And I don’t need to pretend that we’re a thing to prove that I’ve moved on.”
Ali said nothing, just kept staring at him with those big eyes of hers.
“I don’t,” he said, feeling tired. The kind of tired that went soul deep and cast a shadow so broad it made seeing the light difficult.
“Okay, you don’t.” She raised her hands. “Forget I even brought it up. It was a stupid idea. I’ll just go tell Bridget that I was kidding, and chalk the last few minutes up to one of my jokes. You leave, life goes back to normal.”
Hawk wasn’t even sure what normal felt like anymore. Only that if he ever planned to get back there, he had to start doing things differently. That kiss with Ali had felt different—and in a way that should have him burning rubber back to town.
Yet there he stood, still able to taste Ali on his lips, and watching her intently when he asked, “Why are you doing this?”
She smiled. “Because I’m the only one who gets to ruin your day.”
This time when he laughed, it felt warm and full. Ali wasn’t trying to hurt her sister, she was trying to protect him. And it had been a long time since anyone had gone so far as to look out for his well-being.
“Well, we both know that Bridget won’t let this rest, ever, if I sell you out. So, I say we go with your plan and pretend we’re newly dating. I came because what boyfriend would miss your big dinner? Bridget will be so thrown by the situation, she’ll make up some excuse to leave before dinner is even ready.”
“Nah, my dad would be crushed if Bridget left, which she would if you stayed. And he is so excited about throwing this shower and spending time with her doing all the dad stuff he never gets a chance to do.”
“He does dad stuff with you.”
