Page 177 of Wrecked
After she made him his drink, he hung at the bar.
The crowd came in waves. During a less hectic time, Addison was pouring a draft beer when Tommy caught her eye.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Can’t complain,” she replied. “You?”
“Waiting for my girl. Are you new?”
She bit back a smile. She loved that he didn’t recognize her. After serving the patron, she said, “It’s Addison.”
His gaze floated over her wig and face, her eyes still framed by the black mask. As he broke into a smile, his cheeks flushed with color. Despite the low lighting, she couldn’t miss his reaction.
“Damn,” he said. “How’d I miss that?”
Liliana sidled over. “Do you mind if I take a break?”
“Let me get Hawk to fill in for you,” Addison replied.
“Hawk’s here?” Tommy asked.
“Hang for a sec.” Addison left the bar in search of him. He wasn’t on the dance floor, he wasn’t at the picture place.Maybe he’s in the office.
As she made her way down the dimly-lit hallway, she spotted a couple making out near the back door. The guy—tall with short, dark hair and broad shoulders—was standing with his back to her. Her stomach dropped.
Ohgod, it’s Hawk.
Her heart was breaking, but she should have known better.
The office door swung open, the bright light illuminating the hallway. Hawk breezed out. When he saw her, his face lit up, and her heart rejoiced.
“There’s my baby.”
She flicked her gaze to the couple, now heading in her direction. “I thought—”
“How’s it going?” the man asked as the couple walked by.
Hawk tossed them a nod.
“What’s wrong?” Hawk asked.
She wasn’t a jealous person. She wasn’t possessive either. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.
His brows slashed down. “For what?”
She pulled him into their office and shut the door. “I saw that couple making out and I thought that guy was you.”
His expression fell. “You thought I was making out with a stranger?” He stared at her. “C’mon, woman. Do you think I’d do that to you… to us?”
“For the past three years, I’ve watched you hit on women and sleep with a bunch of them. It never bothered me. I introduced you to friends knowing you’d probably hookup.” Her shoulders fell. “I don’t want to turn into one of those women…you know… jealous and paranoid.”
“I never cheated on Josie. I would never disrespect her or our marriage.” He leaned his ass on the desk. “I know it was a different time in my life. I was innocent and naïve. I’m not that boy. Now, I’m a broken man, but I feel hopeful… because ofyou. I love you, Addison.” Pausing, he stared into her eyes. “This isn’t a game to me. I’m not playing you. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m ready for whatever life throws at us.Us, Addison.I won’t cheat on you. I’m not interested in another woman oranywoman. You do it for me. Just you.”
Then, a sadness blanketed his eyes. “I get where you’re coming from. That whole Tommy thing got to me. And you know me, I never get jealous. It’s been a super stressful month. Let’s go out there and have fun, okay?”
She threw her arms around him and kissed him again and again. “Thank you for being my rock. I’m sorry I doubted you. I won’t do that again.”
He kissed her with so much passion, her knees trembled while he held her snug against him. “We got this, babe.”
