Page 74 of Rebel Hawke

It couldn’t have.

They did this forme.

Just more proof that the Hawkes have always been family, even when I wasn’t here; even when we didn’t see each other for so many years, they embraced me the same way as they did then.

And then some.

Angelina smiles from next to Astrid. “Really, honey, it’s the least we can do. We’re happy to have you back.”

The eldest of the Hawke children, who I always remembered as the one chasing all of us and trying to wrangle us into submission, has so quickly become more of afriend.

Allie nods and works on dealing out a deck of cards in what appears to be a game of WAR with Jack. “We want your opening to be incredible and for it to succeed so you don’t run away again.”

Angie smacks her little sister’s arm and offers a chastising look—much more on par with how I remember her always trying to keep us in line. “Stop it.”

I chuckle, though the comment does sting a little, knowing they maybe believed that’s what I did. “I didn’t run away.”

“Okay, maybe you didn’t”—Astrid waves a dismissive hand—“but we figure if you have a successful business, even my brother won’t be able to scare you off.”

I chuckle and squeeze Astrid’s shoulder. “Your brother isn’t scaring me off.”

“Oh, he will.” She gives me a warning look. “Believe me, he will.”

I retake my seat across the table from her, and she slides the computer across to me so I can examine the site.

“You can change anything you want to on here, even the template. I just thought this one was really pretty.”

“It’s beautiful.” I scroll down the page some more, clicking the sub-pages briefly to see them all. “I’ll double-check everything that’s on here, but right off the bat, I don’t see anything I want to change.”

She beams and gives an air high five to Kennedy at the head of the table. “Excellent.”

Kennedy beams and leans back, taking a drink of her margarita.

Jack glances toward the door, motioning with her thumb. “What do you think the boys are doing over there?”

Bishop snorts, glancing up from her phone. “Consuming far too much beer and bitching about us, no doubt.”

Allie smacks her with the back of her hand. “Pope has absolutely nothing to complain about when it comes to me.”

His older sister chuckles. “Oh, yeah, sure.” She nods. “All right. Whatever you say…”

Kennedy runs her finger on the edge of her drink. “I wish Cass could have come tonight. It’s been a while since he’s been able to hang out with the guys.”

There was such a flurry of activity when everyone arrived and we were ushered across the hall that I hadn’t even realized Cassius was missing. “Why isn’t he here?”

She glances up, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “I’m not totally sure. He said he had something to take care of. A surprise.”

Angie claps excitedly. “Ooh, something for the wedding?”

Kennedy shrugs. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

Astrid leans toward her. “Why do you look so worried?”

My gut twists, watching her unease.

She’s been through alot.

Now that Atlas has filled me in on all the intricacies of the Kennedy/Cass relationship, I can see how their upcoming wedding is almost more important to the family than the hotel opening.

---