Page 58 of Feels Like the First Time
“Me, too, because it’s the first time she’s offered me a way in since high school, when she was crowned queen and asked me to escort her during the Homecoming Parade.” His eyes glistened with hope. “I wanted her to know that I appreciate the chance to walk her down the aisle and I won’t waste the opportunity to get to know her better.”
Ali wanted to tell him that he wasn’t the one who had turned his back or walked away. He’d had the door slammed in his face over and over by Bridget, and he’d never once given up. Never even considered walking away. Nope, Marty always showed up with his heart on his sleeve, and patience and understanding on his face.
“She’s always talking about thatDancing with the Starsshow,” he went on. “So when I heard that Jamie’s parents had hired an orchestra, one of those big eighteen-piece ensembles, I decided to surprise Bridget with a waltz.”
“Oh, Dad, that is so sweet,” Ali said, resting her head on Marty’s shoulder. “She’s going to love it.”
Marty stepping out of his comfort zone and meeting Bridget in her world was exactly what her sister needed to move past the hurt and move on with growing their relationship. And even though Bridget’s and Ali’s relationship was strained at the moment, she really wanted that for them.
Wanted it for her dad.
“I hope so,” Marty said, and even though he looked tired, he seemed to have a little extra twinkle in his smile and color in his cheeks. “But your dad here has two left feet, and there isn’t that much time left to teach this old dog a few new tricks.”
“Well, don’t go overboard on the practice. She’ll be surprised and touched even if you don’t look exactly like Fred Astaire.”
Marty chuckled, then went serious. “You know, she’s opened a door for you, too, honey.”
“I know,” Ali moaned. Bridget had a dozen friends who she could have asked to be her maid of honor. All of them more suited for the role, and more suited for Bridget. But she’d chosen Ali. “Why does there always have to be some kind of dress code required for me to enter her world?”
“Because it’s Bridget,” Marty teased, but then went serious. A rare emotion for a man who lay around in Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops. “This wedding is a chance for all of us, and even though your sister won’t admit it, having you there is important to her. I’m sure if you try, you can find some kind of common ground to work from.”
“Why does ‘common ground’ always sound like Bridget’s way?”
“Love doesn’t keep score, honey.” Marty took Ali’s hand, something else he rarely did. “And if this old dog can learn some new tricks, I’m sure you’ll find a dress that you can stand for a few hours.”
“You don’t need tricks.” He had an abundance of love working for him. Ever since Ali was little, she knew his dream had always been to bring Bridget back into the fold, for them to all be one big, happy family. “You’re the real deal, Dad.”
“It’s easy to be real when I’ve got two amazing daughters in my life,” Marty said, wrapping his arm around Ali’s shoulders and pulling her in for a side hug. Ali rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. “Even when one of them interrogates me about sneaking around when she’s got seaweed stuck in her hair and smells like men’s aftershave.”
Ali jerked up and patted her hair. After a thorough search, she found no such seaweed.
Marty smiled. “I guess things with Hawk aren’t so complicated after all.”
Um no, things with Hawk were even more complicated than ever. She’d spent the evening with a sexy, gorgeous, amazing man who’d rocked her world and given her the best orgasm, make thatorgasms, of her life. And instead of going for round three and waking up next to him, she was here. On her dad’s boat. In the middle of the night. Drinking milk and looking for a grinder.
Ali sighed. “Nope, things are totally normal.”
And whose fault was that?
***
Two days later, Hawk lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The blankets were on the floor, a sheet was tangled around his calf, and all he had to keep him company was an epic case of morning wood, and the damn alarm he’d rigged in the alley.
It had been going off all morning, interrupting another hot dream of Ali in that blue scrap of fabric she called a swimsuit. Which, pathetically enough, was the closest he’d come to seeing Ali since their night on the bluff.
He wanted to see more of her. Not just the naked parts either, although they were high on his list. But he wanted to see her sweet parts, explore her secret parts, even her prickly ones. Hell, he wanted the chance to see all of her parts. And they’d been on their way to that the other night.
Then he’d had to get to work, and he hadn’t managed to break away early enough to catch her before she went to sleep. When he’d awoken the next day, it was to a text that she’d made a trip to Boise. Something about finding the right dress.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
“Five more minutes,” Hawk mumbled, putting his pillow over his face. But all it did was muffle the sounds.
With a sigh, Hawk scrubbed a hand over his face, rolled out of bed, and headed toward the front door. Not wanting to wave his stick around again, he tugged on a pair of jeans and headed down the stairs.
He reached Main Street, just in time to see the Senior Steppers settling on two park benches with their morning coffee and a box of pastries from Sweetie Pies.
“You ladies taking a break?” he asked.
