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The weekend couldn’t come fast enough. I could barely concentrate on planning my brother’s wedding when all I could think about was Hawk. All throughout the week, I thought of excuses to be at the bar, wearing shorts and tank tops, showing off just enough skin to remind Hawk about that night together and about everything to come.

Thursday, Max called a meeting with me and Victoria. He was looking into ideas for centerpieces at each table and he couldn’t think about anything that would fit.

“I want it to be unique,” he kept saying. “You know. Different, but desirable. Like, when people see it, they go, hell yeah, I want that, what a great centerpiece.”

Victoria rolled her eyes but there was a good-natured smile on her face. It would seem my brother had an uncanny ability to both frustrate and amuse her at the same time. I smirked. It was nice to know someone else would have to suffer through that. Although, if I was being honest with myself, Max wasn’t so bad. Unless, of course, he was cockblocking me by holding Hawk’s job over his head.

“Everyone loves alcohol,” I pointed out. “Well, almost everyone.”

He gave me a look. “You’re suggesting we have six packs at every table, Isla?” he asked. “Not classy.”

“Practical,” I muttered under my breath before leaning forward and placing my hands on the surface of the table between us. “What about champagne? Wine?”

“I like the wine idea,” Victoria said, turning to Max. “Champagne might be saved for special occasions, but wine can be consumed every night. I know I indulged in a glass after work.” She turned, looking at me. “That’s a great idea, Isla. Thank you.”

I waved her away. “That’s why you guys are paying me, right?” I asked. I couldn’t bring myself to continue the conversation. I gently excused myself while the happy couple talked about some nearby winery and placing an order with some guy named Charlie. I was hungry, but I was also in a rare mood consumed with self-pity. I hated that I was getting paid to plan a wedding. I had never been one of those girls who cared about weddings. I wanted to make my own money working for my father. But no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, I could not convince him to trust me. Maybe that was what frustrated me the most. We literally got Bodhi’s message about not coming back and he sent Max to go get him instead of putting me in his spot. I knew Bodhi’s role in the company like the back of my hand. I could probably do it better than he could. But still, our father ignored me. He ignored my education, my intelligence, and my drive. Even worse, he waited for Max to bring Bodhi back.

Even when Max announced his wedding, my father was in denial about Max coming back. Maybe if I left, he would finally regret taking me for granted. So, I took Max’s pity job, not because I needed the money, but rather because I needed to get away. And here I was. My father hadn’t called me once, which was probably why I was so desperate to get Hawk’s attention. If I won him over, it meant I mattered to someone. I was special and worthy and appreciated by someone.

“You look...unsettled.”

I picked my eyes off the floor of the bar, surprised to find Hawk there, arms crossed over his chest. I took a moment to drink him in…the black muscle tee, the jeans, the boots. His hair was pulled into a man bun that he pulled off surprisingly well. His eyes were crisp, as though he was taking in everything.

Immediately, I straightened. I wanted him to notice my legs in my new shorts, not the obvious self-pity in my eyes.

“It’s nothing,” I mumbled as I struggled to change the subject. “How are you? Looking forward to the weekend?”

He glanced around, as if afraid Max would suddenly pop up. When he turned back to me, he was annoyed.

“Why do you reduce everything to sex when it comes to us?” he asked. “It’s almost like you’re afraid to connect with another human on an emotional level. You’d rather connect physically.”

“First, I was referring to just getting away for a few days.” I tilted my head and studied him. “But since you brought it up, are you saying you want to connect with me on an emotional level?” I asked. I tried to make it a taunt, but it was half-hearted at best.

“I’m saying...” He let his voice trail off and he glanced around the empty room where there would be alcohol, a bar, and tables filling the space soon. “I’m saying I don’t know you well enough to make that decision. You’re beautiful and you’re good at...things.” I smiled as he shifted with discomfort. “But I don’t know you. I don’t know what makes you smile or what makes you cry. I have no idea what makes you unsettled.” He paused. “Still, I can see you’re upset and I’m willing to listen if you’d like to share.”

This made me pause. “What?”

“Dinner.” His voice was low so no one could overhear him. “Tonight. You and me. No sex. Nothing physical. Just two adults eating and getting to know one another.”

I groaned. Hawk seemed determined to ruin a perfectly good thing. “Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“Because I know what it’s like to be unable to connect with someone emotionally,” he explained. “And I think I might want to connect with you. At least, try to. Emotionally, I mean.”

“Are you trying to get out of this weekend?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“No.” He shook his head. “Absolutely not. Right now, I’m asking for tonight. You and me. Dinner. No sex. Just talking.”

I briefly considered his offer. “Agree to one more orgasm and I’ll say yes,” I countered, my lips curling up.

“Agree to what?” Max asked, walking in the room, Victoria at his side, a curious smile on her face.

“He wanted to know if he could have Friday night off,” I quickly answered. “I said I’ll agree to ask him. Him, as in you.” I shook my head. “What did you think I said, Max?”

He grunted, not coming up with anything.

I snickered.

“No,” he muttered, eyeing Hawk. “You’re here until six, just like we agreed.”

Hawk put up his hands in surrender and backed away.