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full lips and white teeth formed a perfect smile. Hawk blushed and looked away, too.
    Lara realized he was not accustomed to flattery and felt a tinge of embarrassment for him. “I’m sorry, Hawk, I didn’t mean to make you uneasy…”
    She stood and surprising her, he stood, too. He came around the coffee table to her side, his eyes searched hers as he touched her hand, “No, Lara. You didn’t make me uncomfortable. In fact, I feel happy when I’m with you.” He moved closer and whispered, “I’m glad you think I look good. I want to be the perfect employee for you. It’s not every day I get an offer like this. I don’t want to let you down.”
    Lara was touched by his words. But time was running short and she quickly got back to business. She tilted her head and smiled up at him, “Here’s the list of projects we have pending. Do you want to start contacting clients and meeting with them to develop designs and quotes?”
    Hawk studied the list while standing inches from her. She inhaled the pleasing aroma of his Ralph Lauren cologne and realized it took a lot for him to transform himself. Lara knew he was thinking every address on the list was in a ritzy part of town. She sensed he was nervous that the clientele would be demanding if not downright impossible. And, they were.
    He seemed to be struggling to ask her something and he finally summoned the question, “Would you go along with me on the first few appointments to get me off to a good start?”
    Lara understood he was asking her to help him overcome his shyness. She was more than willing to assist, “Sure, Hawk. I’d be happy to meet you at the first few appointments until you feel totally at ease with it. No worries.”
    Lara noticed a look of relief flooded over him. Hawk was standing so close she could smell his blueberry breath and noticed crumbs on his tie. In a motherly way, she leaned in and brushed his tie lightly with her finger. As she did, Hawk took her hand and brought it to his lips as he whispered, “I don’t know how to thank you.” His eyes met hers again, but this time with an intense pleading. It reminded her of the first time she met Ben and he kissed her hand.
    Lara responded quickly, “You’ve already done so much for me, Hawk. You saved my life . I want to do this for you. Please let me.”
    The door opened and Betty was standing there, “Mrs. Keegan, Attorney Maxfield is here and Finn Murphy just arrived.” Lara nearly jumped out of her skin as her hand snapped back to her side. “Yes, Betty. Send them up. Mr. Hawkins was just leaving.”
    The door closed and Hawk touched Lara’s hand again, this time shaking it in a business-like way. But as he did so, he held her hand for a long moment. His grasp was warm and his hand swallowed hers.
    She led him to the door and reminded him, “Don’t forget about dinner tonight; Ben’s cooking that lobster for you. I’ll text you the first appointment and we’ll start right away.”
    Once Hawk left the office, she leaned against the closed door and let out an audible sigh. She knew he was nervous but she believed in him. She had a plan to break him in slowly and purposefully chose relatively benign clients to begin with. She smiled to herself with the image of Hawk dressed in the suit and his bashful smile; he reminded her of a little boy getting ready for his first day of school. If she could have fashioned a brother out of thin air, it would have been Hawk.
     
    ~ Ben ~
    Ben was surprised that Lara wasn’t home from the office yet. But then the first few days running Stone and Associates would be exhausting for her, he was sure. He heard her Fiat pull into the driveway and Einstein was happily dancing by the door awaiting her arrival. As soon as she came into the room Ben sensed she was tired. He rushed to take her into his arms and kiss her, always his favorite part of the day. Tonight he was making a special lobster dinner for Hawk. It was an evening to show his