“Hey, what the hell?”
“Do you seriously think I am going to let you do heavy lifting on my watch?”
“Sarah, I’m fine, okay?It has been three months, and I am quite capable of carrying my own suitcases.”
She gave him that evil glare that made him roll his eyes, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it.She was the one in charge.Not him.
“Fine, fine.”
“So, two suitcases.You always brought six when you stayed a few hours.”
“Yeah, well, seeing as I’m not working, I didn’t have a whole lot of normal day clothes.”
“Seriously?Your wardrobe contained nothing but business clothes?Fancy suits?”
“You got it.”
Sarah laughed.“So, we’re going to have to add shopping to your list of activities while you’re here.”
“I don’t shop for my own clothes.”
His sister let out a mocking gasp.“You pay someone to do that?If you want, you can pay me and I’ll buy you some clothes.”
“Thanks, but I think I can handle it.”
Sarah laughed, and then they stepped inside their parents’ house.Hawk hated to admit it, but it felt good to be home.
****
Katie Palmer did onefinal look around the gift shop, and saw that nothing was out of place.Everything was perfectly fine.She turned off the light and stepped out into the street.It was lovely and warm.The summer had been wonderful, and with good weather, there had been a lot of tourists, which was good for business.
She loved connecting with people.Adam had been amazing at it, and he’d trusted her with their dream.She just never expected to be the one to see it through.Their store was getting more and more successful, and she knew it was because he expanded the business online.
Stepping away from her shop, she knew it was a lot easier to think about Adam now, but then it had been seven years ago when it all happened.
She turned and then jolted forward as strong arms suddenly wrapped around her, stopping her from hitting the pavement.
“Shit, I’m so sorry,” the deep voice said.
She looked up, and for a moment was taken aback.“That’s all right.”
“You’re Katie Smith,” he said.
“Uh, actually, I’m Katie Palmer now.”
“I’m Hawk.”
He still had his hands on her.
“I know who you are.”She smiled.“Thanks for saving me.”
“Well, you wouldn’t have needed saving if I didn’t barge into you.My mistake.”
“It’s fine.How are you?”she asked.
His mother had been by the shop a few months ago and suddenly burst into tears, talking about her son.Hawk Masters used to be a grade A asshole, especially throughout high school.He was the kind of guy that would barge into you, push your books to the ground, and was just a bully.Of course, all the cheerleaders had loved him, and he was a jock, but he’d also been intelligent.He’d been voted the one “most likely to succeed,” and according to Adam, he had done so.He was some kind of multimillionaire with an advertising company.Katie didn’t really care.
“I’m good.You?”
