Page 171 of Wrecked
“I had to ask. Men like him don’t come along often. Have a nice evening.” She walked away.
Addison flicked her gaze to Hawk. “Your fiancée? Have you lost your mind?”
To her surprise, Hawk and her dad laughed.
“Why is that so unbelievable?” her dad asked. “Why couldn’t you be his fiancée?”
“What is happening?” she whispered.
“If I’d said I was here with myparents, I can see how that would be a problem for you, but c’mon, woman,” Hawk said.
That made Addison laugh.
The server delivered their entrées, checked in with them, and left.
After trying the ravioli, she placed one on Hawk’s plate. “So, so good. You’ll love it.”
He sliced off a piece of Wellington and held out his fork. Normally, she’d let him feed her, but she took the fork from him and ate the premiere beef.
“Good, huh?” Hawk said as she handed him back his utensil.
“How are things, Addison?” her dad asked.
“Good,” she replied. “Frustrating.”
“No Easter Bunny hunting.”
They spoke in code whenever they were in public. That was her dad telling her not to hunt down the person or persons who’d killed Ronald and Melinda.
“Well, I’m not doingnothing.”
“Why not?”
“Because I lost two very valuable Easter eggs,” she replied.
“It’s a risk we take every day,” her dad said.
“Exactly,” she replied.
When they finished, and their dinner plates had been cleared, Georgia returned with their complimentary snifters of Grand Marnier Révélation.
Addison raised her glass. “To my amazing dad. You’ve been my inspiration and my rock. I hope this is a happy year for you. I love you.”
They clinked and sipped.
“Delicious,” Addison said as she savored the top-shelf liqueur.
Hawk raised his glass. “I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it weren’t for you. Thank you, Philip, and happy birthday.”
Her dad had tears in his eyes. “Thank you both. Celebrating with my two favorite people is very special.” They toasted once more.
Addison’s heart swelled with unexpected joy. This was a magical night. One she’d remember for the rest of her life.
It was the night she fell head over heels in love with Nicholas Hawk.
23
CHEATING DEATH
