Page 21 of Feels Like the First Time
Kennedy was looking at her strangely. “I was going to say, you didn’t let Bridget get between you and Hawk.”
Ali rolled her eyes. “The only thing between me and Hawk is an unlikely friendship based on irritation, distrust, and childish pranks.”
“Huh, I’ve been watching you two circle each other since I moved here, and I’ve always thought it was chemistry that was one admission from combustion. And according to June, that kiss was more of a mauling.”
“The kiss was pretend.” Ali let out a breath, but it didn’t help. She had made a rash decision, then let things get out of hand.
Not intentionally, but a huge miscalculation all the same. That kiss, which she was sure had been a joke to him, scorched her so hot she could still feel the burn. Everywhere. Which was why she should have never instigated it. Hawk loved a challenge, Ali was pretty sure she might still love Hawk a teensy bit, and both of them loved Bridget.
Queen of her own world aside, she was still Ali’s sister—and the one person Hawk couldn’t manage to get over losing.
“Bridget was about to drop the marriage bomb and I knew how much it would hurt Hawk, so I panicked—”
“And kissed him?”
“I know, it wasn’t the best idea, but it distracted Bridget enough to make the announcement and then leave the topic of how in love she is with her new life and new man alone.”
Kennedy’s smile was back. “And what if it backfired and now Hawk won’t leave you alone?”
Ali laughed. “The only reason Hawk went along with the stupid plan was because I backed him into a corner.”
Kennedy lifted a brow. “Then why did Hawk buy a single slice of your favorite pie this morning?”
“Because he felt bad that my dinner turned into an episode ofBridezilla.” He’d also wanted to make her know that, in the whirlwind that was Bridget and Gail, he was proud of her.
“It’s been three days and she managed to assemble and send me this.” Ali opened her backpack and pulled out a swatch book, the dreaded How To list, and enough clippings to equal six wedding magazines.
“Her ideas are actually pretty impressive.”
“Bridget has always known how to pretty up a room.”
“Maybe so, but these lamp decorations are creative and stunning. If she was going to be in town next summer, I’d hire her to plan Luke’s and my wedding,” Kennedy said, flipping through the clippings.
“She’s been planning weddings since she was five. Barbie always had the most elaborate receptions.”
“I bet.” Kennedy stopped halfway through, and met Ali’s gaze. “Wow, she’s invited half the town. Who is she looking to outdo? Princess Kate?”
“Herself,” Ali said, knowing that Bridget needed this time to be bigger and better than the last. The more elaborate the party, the more right her decision would feel. Until it was all over.
And then her sister would feel lost and empty. And start looking for the next high. Bridget was in love with the idea of love. But she didn’t know a thing about creating lasting relationships.
Sadly, neither of them did. Which brought Ali to the most important reason why that kiss could never go anywhere. Life had taught her that, for whatever reason, she wasn’t the kind of person who inspired lasting love.
Her friendship with Hawk was too important. She wouldn’t dare risk asking for more, only to wind up with nothing. She’d been there, done that song and dance before. Wasn’t interested in a repeat.
Just like she wasn’t interested in a repeat of how broken up her dad was when Bridget invited him to her first wedding—as merely a guest.
“You know you can count on me to help,” Kennedy offered, and Ali felt a strange pinching in her chest. “I suck at decorating and themes, but I can make that menu with my eyes closed.”
“Thanks,” Ali said, putting the papers back in the envelope. “But first I need to find out exactly what my sister’s intentions are.” With her dad—and with Hawk.
Because his name was at the top of Bridget’s guest list.
***
A few hours later, Ali pulled up to her sister’s house. It was a three-story colonial that was all rose-covered lattices and Burberry drapes. So polished and showy, it was more George Washington than Washington State—and hard to believe Hawk ever lived there. But he had; for five years he and Bridget had spent the off-season in that house.
Together.
