Page 75 of Feels Like the First Time
Chapter 16
Dinner had been cleared away and Marty was resting. Ali was ready to head home, but was hoping to hear the results of her dad’s latest round of tests before she left for the night. The nurse had said she’d check on them—that had been two hours ago.
She rested her head back against the chair and found herself smiling. She was pretty happy for a girl who’d spent the day in a hospital. Because her dad had turned a huge corner today, and she knew in her heart that he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
And neither was Hawk.
If I’m lucky, you might let me hold you forever.
For the first time since she was a kid, Ali had felt completely cherished last night. He’d not only taken care of her dad, but also taken care of her in a moment when she didn’t know how to take care of herself.
Hawk had not only gotten her to the hospital before Marty woke up, as promised, but also arranged for her piece to make it to her client so she didn’t have to worry about it. Even more touching, he’d held her all night. Those big arms of his wrapped tightly, lovingly around her. Giving her the time she needed to let go, and the reassurance she needed to hold on.
Then he’d made love to her.
He hadn’t said the word, but Ali had felt it. Strong enough to break through her walls and seep into her soul. It was thrilling and humbling and comforting all at the same time.
A healing force that gave her the courage to believe in dreams. Believe that maybe she was enough. That together, all of their flaws and differences somehow made for a perfect pairing.
She reached for the phone to call him and let him know she was running a little late, but it went straight to voice mail. She thought about texting him when Bridget showed up with an overnight bag and a little pink pastry box.
“How’s he doing?” she asked, taking a seat next to Ali.
“He ate almost all of his dinner, even the broccoli, and then the nurses took some more blood. I was just waiting on the results.” She looked at the box. “What’s that?”
“A little cupcake from Sweetie Pies. Kennedy was afraid you weren’t getting enough chocolate in your diet.”
Bridget opened the box and Ali counted three mini death-by-chocolate pies. After a steady diet of vending machine sandwiches and green Jell-O cups—Marty refused to eat anything green that wasn’t mandatory—the pie looked amazing.
She thought about Hawk waiting for her, but figured he wouldn’t blame her for eating dessert twice in one night. Plus, she was still waiting on the results, so might as well enjoy the wait.
Ali picked up the pie, took a big bite, and moaned—quietly, so as not to wake Marty. Once alert, he could sniff out a single M&M from fifty feet away.
Ali took another bite as Bridget tossed her bag on the floor. The flap opened, showing that there was enough stuff in there for a sleepover. “Are you staying the night?”
Bridget picked up a pie and nodded. “You’ve been here all day, I thought I’d give you a break.”
“Thanks,” Ali said, relieved that Marty wouldn’t be alone if he woke up. “But don’t you have to leave early for the airport tomorrow morning?”
“I canceled my flight.” Bridget took a bite of her pie, and sat back with a groan. “These are amazing.”
“You mean rescheduled,” Ali said.
“Nope.” Bridget popped the last bit in her mouth and smiled around the whipped topping. “Canceled it. I called Jamie on the way here and told him that if he couldn’t make it to be by my side when I needed his support, then I can’t marry him.”
Ali choked on a piece of crust. “Are you serious?”
Bridget smiled, and this smile looked different. Lighter and freer. “Serious about a lot of things, including getting my life together. I’m taking your advice and going after my dream of being a party planner.”
“I can’t believe you are actually doing it.”
“Well, believe it. I already talked to someone about being an assistant until I get my footing, and then I’m going to open my own company. Once-in-a-Lifetime Moments,” she said as if she could already see her business cards. “Think about it, I will get to plan a bazillion weddings without ending up like Mom, a six-time divorcée.”
They both laughed, then Ali reached for the last pie and broke it in half to give part to Bridget. “Don’t worry about Dad, though, I am going to make him a priority. You won’t be stuck handling everything anymore.”
Ali opened her mouth to remind her that they’d tried that before, and it had landed them here.
“Wait, before you say it’s a lot of work, and that I’m in over my head, you’re right. About all of it,” Bridget said quietly. “I’m tired of letting people down, so I’m going to change that. Starting with a class about caring for aging loved ones so that I know what Dad needs. And know that if something goes wrong, I have the skills to make the right calls.”
