Page 83 of Feels Like the First Time
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the older man sitting closest to him said. “This is my son-in-law’s house. I didn’t think he’d mind.”
“Marty?” Hawk said, getting closer and coming to a hard stop. His heart pounding against his rib cage for him to keep moving forward. “What are you doing here?”
“You’ve missed the last few family dinners,” a soft, sexy, and nervous voice said from the back of the table. “So we thought we’d bring the family and burgers to you.”
Hawk watched as Ali moved out from beneath the shadow of the porch and slowly down the steps, looking like a warm burst of sunlight on a frozen winter’s day. She was in a cute denim skirt, with a summery top that matched her eyes, and a sad smile that matched his heart.
She didn’t stop until she’d closed the distance between them, leaving only a step of separation. “That is, if you’re still interested.”
***
Ali’s heart beat so loudly, she couldn’t tell if he’d answered. It didn’t help that her father was asking if Hawk had brought dessert, because, in his opinion, there was a serious lack of dessert on the table.
But when the silence became too much to bear, she added, “If not, then…”
“Then what?” he asked, his expression unreadable.
“Then I guess I’ll just have to invite you back next week.” She tilted up her chin, to show him that she meant business. “And the week after.”
“And then what?” he asked, taking the smallest step forward.
Ali bit her lip to keep it steady. She wasn’t sure what to make of all his questions, but she was going to be sure to leave nothing unsaid. “Then we’ll bring dinner to you, at the bar. I know how much you love Burger Barn.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said.
“It won’t?” she asked, looking up at his handsome face, looking for a sign as to how to make this right.
“No.”
Ali fought to keep it together. “I know my family is crazy, but beneath all of the drama, we have a lot of love to give.” She looked up at him. “I have a lot of love to give, Hawk.”
“I know.” He closed the final step and took her hands and smiled. “That’s why it won’t be necessary, because there is no way I could ever say no to making a new memory with you, sunshine. Whatever you are offering, I am interested.”
She thought about their last conversation, and how she never told him that he was everything she wanted and more. “Hawk—”
“Let me finish,” he said, bringing her hands to his mouth. “Whatever you want to give, I promise to protect and treasure. If you need time with your family, I can be patient. If you need someone to take Marty to an appointment, I’ve got an extra helmet,” he said, and she chuckled. “And when you need someone to hold you when it gets rough, I’m your guy. I love you, Ali, exactly for who you are and for how fiercely you love the people in your world.” He bent down, getting eye level so that she could see his truth. “All I ask is to earn the right to be a part of that world.”
“He’s one smooth talker,” Marty said, but Ali ignored him and focused on the man in front of her. On her future. Her heart pounding so rapidly, she was afraid it would explode with happiness.
“You already are a part,” she said, sliding her arms around his middle. “You’re the funny parts, the loud parts, and quiet moments. You’re the part that makes me laugh when I want to cry, and makes me feel safe when I do cry. You’re the part of my life I thought was missing, but you’ve always been right there.”
He held her close. “I always will be, no matter what.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, because you are the best part, Hawk,” Ali whispered, emotion making it hard to speak. “You once asked me what I wanted, what would make me happy. No outside expectations or responsibilities. Just a raw, instinctual want.”
“You said to step out of the shadows and feel what it’s like to have the light shining down on you,” he said, and Ali didn’t know if she was more touched that he’d remembered, or that when he said it, he sounded as if he was making her a promise.
“I was wrong. I want to walk in the light, with you by my side,” she said.
“Sunshine, you are my light, and I want to wake up every morning holding you in my arms and feeling your warmth next to me.”
“Only if I get to hold you back.”
“How long are we talking?”
She looked up into those soft brown eyes, loving eyes. “I was thinking that forever sounded right. That’s how it works with family.”
Hawk gave a shuddered breath. “Forever works for me.”
