Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,112

aware of the light breeze that moved through my hair. The moment had changed so quickly, so intensely, that my brain couldn’t keep up with the pace. Hawke’s engine roared to life, and then he drove down the street. The red tint of his taillights shined in the darkness.

And then he was gone.

Laundry Day

Francesca

“Has he called?” Marie asked.

“No.” A week had come and gone and I hadn’t heard anything from Hawke. After the way things ended at the end of our date, the ball was in his court. I still wasn’t sure what happened.

“Not even a text?”

“Nope.” I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms over my chest.

Marie straightened her apron while she had a concentrated look on her face. “What happened?”

“Our date went really well. We had a great time and really got along. I even got a little jealous when I saw some girl talking to him.”

“What girl?” she asked.

“I don’t know…but it was clear they’ve been romantically involved. Or she wants to be romantically involved.”

Marie held up her hand. “Whoa, hold on. This cunt hit on him while you were on a date?”

“Pretty trashy, huh?”

“Uh, yeah.” She shook her head with an irritated look on her face.

“In her defense, I was in the bathroom. But still…pretty rude.”

“Tell me about it.”

“But when we got to his truck we had this kiss…”

“Yeah?” She leaned forward like she wanted to hear the details.

“And it was…really good. Maybe he’s just a really great kisser but there was so much chemistry there. I’m pretty sure he felt it too. Then when we got to my place, we started going at it against the door. Things got weird when I ended it.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I don’t know…” It still didn’t make any sense to me. “I said that’s as far as I go and he made some comment about how stupid it is to wait based on principle. Then I said something I shouldn’t have…”

“What did you say?”

“That we shouldn’t rush into things.”

Marie raised an eyebrow. “And why was that a stupid thing to say?”

“I’m not totally sure, but it obviously meant something to him. I changed my mind and invited him inside because I knew he was right. Why should we wait just to wait? We both had a great time and we were really into each other. But that’s when he blew me off.”

Marie cringed. “He blew you off? I don’t get it. You invited him inside and he just changed his mind?”

“I don’t get it either. I’m pretty sure he was lying about taking his mom to the airport but I wasn’t going to call him out on it.”

Marie pressed her lips tightly together while she considered my words. “We’re missing something here.”

“But what?”

“Maybe there was something else on his mind.”

“I don’t know…” I wish it didn’t bother me but it did. If he really was a jerk then I shouldn’t waste another moment thinking about him. But he didn’t have that personality at all. He was a good guy. I knew he was. Nothing was adding up and that bothered me most.

And I admit I was hurt he hadn’t ask for a second date…

The bell rang over the door and Marie glanced at the customer. Then she did a double take. “Shit, he’s here.”

“Hawke?”

She nodded then darted into the back room. “Talk to him.” The curtain closed as she disappeared.

I was suddenly nervous even though I had no reason to be. I refused to be intimidated by anyone. Maybe I said something I shouldn’t have but I had the right to say it. I approached the counter and saw him standing there.

Hawke was in his typical work clothes. The slacks fit him snugly and so did the collared shirt. A small part of me regretted not seeing that beautiful man naked when I had the chance.

“Hi.” What else was I supposed to say? Why haven’t you called me? No, I wasn’t one of those girls. Hoped burned in my heart at his appearance. If he really never wanted to see me again he wouldn’t have come in here at all.

“Hi.” He approached the counter with his hands in his pockets. “How’s it going?”

“Good. You?”

“I’ve been better,” he said. “I just got out of a meeting so I’m a little drained.”

“Was it boring?”

“No…just long.” He glanced up at the menu. “I’m going to need an espresso today—make it a double.”

“Sure.” Were we not going to talk about our date? Right now he was acting like it never happened. Did he