Page 22 of Taming Hawke

“Love?” I say laughing off her words. “Don’t think we’re quite there yet.”

“Hawke,” she says squeezing my arm to get my attention. “I don’t care what you say, the girl is crazy about you. And yes, she loves you, don’t lose that. And you love her too, you big buffoon. Don’t lose her. Don’t lose the one thing that’s good for you.”

Love her? Am I in love with Luisa?

I sigh, and run my free hand down my face. I don’t know why I’m so nervous about telling Lu about my past, and Josie. It’s no big deal, really, I guess I’ve just never found the right time to tell her. But it seems as if I’m too late now anyway, she already knows. How the fuck am I going to get out of this one?

“You’re right,” I say to Jazz. “I should have told her. I’m gonna go tell her everything,” I add getting ready to walk out.

“Wait, what? You can’t leave, she’s expecting me to turn up, not you.”

I narrow my eyes at Jasmine. “First you tell me I need to explain it all to her, now you’re holding me back from doing that exact thing. What the fuck, Jazz?” I’m confused as shit.

“How will it look if you show up there now? She’ll know I told you. You need to do this right, Hawke. Don’t fuck it up. Take her out tonight and explain it all to her. She deserves that, Hawke. Believe me, it will make things easier.”

I run my hands down my face. Jasmine might be right. “Fine,” I agree looking into her eyes. They’re green, like green ivy, and so bright and clear. “What are you gonna tell her?”

Jasmine shrugs her shoulders. “I’ll just listen to her, I guess.”

I step closer. “You won’t tell her will you, Jazz?”

“No, Hawke, I won’t, but you’d better explain it all tonight.”

I smile, a warm smile. What would I do without this woman? She’s like the little sister I never had. I pull her into me and hug her. “Thanks, Jasmine. You’re a good friend.”

A growl erupts from the doorway and I step back and look over my shoulder, finding Quill there, his eyebrows pinched together.

“Hey, brother, we were just finishing up.”

“Why the fuck are your arms around my soon to be wife?” he asks striding toward me.

My smile widens. Quill is so in love with Jasmine, and it makes me happy to see him like this. I’ve always wanted him to find that special someone, and he has.

“You better wipe that smile off your face before I do it for you, brother.”

“Okay, macho men,” Jasmine says, rolling her eyes as she steps between Quill and I. She places her hands on both our chests, keeping us apart, and laughs. “I need you both bruise-free for the wedding next week. Can’t have you boys looking ugly.”

“Babe.” Quill smirks. “One, Hawke has no chance of hurting this face.” Quill points to his cheek. “Two, I thought you liked it when I get rough,” he concludes as he pulls Jasmine in for a kiss.

I clear my throat. “Yeah, can you guys maybe take that somewhere else?” I ask, smirking at them.

Jasmine pulls back and looks up at Quill. “I have to go, babe, need to check on Luisa.”

“Everything okay?” he questions, looking over at me, concern in his eyes.

“Yeah, babe,” Jasmine explains. “Lu just needs me.”

“Well, take a prospect with you.”

“What? Why?” she asks.

Quill holds Jasmine firmly in his arms. “Baby, can you just for once do what I say without fighting me?”

“Fine,” she agrees, moving out of Quills arms. “I’ll let this go because I have my friend waiting on me, but you will tell me more tonight.” She looks at me and glares, then turns back to Quill. “Right, babe?”

Quill nods at her in agreeance, and Jasmine walks past him to leave. “Hey, where’s my goodbye kiss?”

She rolls her eyes and walks back to him. She goes to kiss him briefly but he holds her face in his hands, keeping her captive and kissing her hard. I turn my head, wanting to give them some privacy. I hear Jasmine say, “Bye, Hawke. Remember, tonight.”

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