Monday (Timeless Teaser)(25)
Marie looked even more confused.
“I know it sounds crazy but…I feel like our paths were meant to cross.”
“Because…?”
“It’s one of those things that you just know. Trust me on this.”
“You think this guy is your soul mate or something?”
“No, that’s not what I said.”
“Girl, I’m starting to think you’re crazy.”
I knew how crazy I sounded from her perspective. “It’s one of those things that no one understands. But I know I understand it. And that’s all that matters.”
Marie sighed like she was ready to drop the subject. “Just don’t get hurt, okay?”
“I won’t.”
“Because I’ll kick his ass.” She pointed her finger in my face like she meant business.
My lips softened into a smile. “I know.”
***
Hawke was still in the lobby when I clocked out, so I slid into the seat across from him. “Still working?”
He shut the screen of his laptop with a faint smile on his lips. “Work never sleeps.”
“Will you always work this much?”
“Not when I stop being an intern. I’m doing all the grunt work no one else wants to do. But when this is over, I’ll have everything I’ve been working so hard for.”
“So, you want to be an investor?”
“In a nutshell.”
“But that sounds…boring.”
He smiled like he wasn’t offended. “It’s like gambling but with more research. You’re always trying to figure out where the next big thing is going to come from. When should you sell? When should you buy? It’s actually really interesting.”
“Hmm…I’ve never thought about it that way.”
He placed his laptop in his bag. “Baking doesn’t seem very exciting, but I’m sure it is.”
“It’s very exciting. When I see your face light up every time you have one of my muffins, it makes it all worthwhile.”
He closed his bag and left it on the seat next to him. “How was work?”
“It was okay. I only managed to get one bean in my mouth.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Sorry?”
“I was trying to catch the coffee beans in my mouth but I kept missing. You know…” I reenacted the movement for him.
“Oh. Time well spent.”
“When there’re no customers, you have to entertain yourself.”
“Have you thought any more about my offer?”
“Does it still stand?” I asked.
“Of course it does. However, I have one condition.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Which is?”
“You have to show me that beautiful ass—just a peek.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. “Nope.”
“Then you at least have to cook for me all week.”
“That I can do.”
“Without wearing any bottoms…”
I scrunched up a napkin and threw it at him. “Pervert.”
He chuckled. “I never told you I wasn’t.”
I pretended to be offended but it only made me feel warm inside.
“So, when are you being kicked out?”
“Monday.”
“That gives me plenty of time to get rid of all the filth.”
I pulled my hair out of the hair tie and let it fall to my shoulders. Hawke’s eyes immediately went to the strands and his expression changed. I fluffed the hair around my scalp with my fingers. After being pulled back all day, it felt good. “You seem like an organized person.”
“Sorry?” A blank expression was on his face.
“You said your place is covered in filth. But you seem so clean.”
“Oh…” He finally came back to the conversation. “No, I live like a pig just like every other guy.”
“I’m so excited to stay with you…”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll give it a thorough cleaning. Just don’t tell your brother you’re staying with me.”
“Why?” That was an odd request. “He knows we hang out.”
“I don’t want to give him the wrong impression. Knowing him, he’ll jump to the worst possible conclusion. He doesn’t act like it when you’re around, but he’s fiercely protective of you. If he thought I even touched your hand, he’d come after me with a chainsaw.”
“That’s a little excessive…”
Hawke shrugged. “He’s your brother. If he’s crazy, you’re crazy.”
“That’s a slippery slope…”
His phone lit up on the table with a message. I knew I shouldn’t read it but I did. Come over tonight. It was from a girl named Brittany. I quickly looked away like I hadn’t read it.
Hawke locked the screen so it turned black. He knew I saw it.
I kept acting like I didn’t. I knew what he did in his spare time. It shouldn’t bother me but sometimes it did. It wouldn’t matter if he seemed happy, but it was clear he was miserable. It seemed like he was making himself suffer on purpose.
But why?