Tuesday (Timeless Series #2) by E. L. Todd Page A

but I didn’t see him anywhere. Did he leave? Would he just go without saying anything? Maybe he had a phone call so he stepped out for a moment.
    Marie came out in her casual clothes. “Now I feel hideous.”
    “Why?”
    “I’m wearing jeans. I don’t feel special in jeans.”
    I patted her back. “When we find the right dress, you can wear it every day and feel special.”
    “If we ever find the right dress…”
    “Marie, it’s been one day. Don’t lose all hope.”
    “You’re right,” she said with a sigh. “I’m being a big bitch baby.”
    “A little…” I tried not to smile.
    “Let’s get out of here before I pull out my pocket knife and cut up a dress just to be spiteful…”
    I grabbed the crook of her arm and began to pull her. “Yes, let’s haul ass.” We reached the front of the store and saw Hawke standing at the register. The clerk just returned his credit card to him then handed over a dress bag. “Have a good day, sir.”
    “Thank you.” Hawke held the bag with both hands then walked toward us.
    “What did you buy?” I asked. “They have suits here?”
    “Oh god.” Marie slapped her forehead. “Hawke found something and I didn’t. How pathetic is that?”
    Hawke made a ghostly smile before he unzipped the bag and displayed the brilliantly white wedding dress. The glitter caught the light, and the pristine fabric shined like it was made of crystal. “Axel wanted me to tell him how fine you looked in your dress. So, I have to make sure you get the right dress.” He held it out to her.
    Marie’s jaw dropped, and she stiffened like her entire body shut down.
    I was just as shocked. “What…?”
    Marie covered her mouth. “Oh my god.”
    “You seriously did that?” Now my mouth was gaping open.
    “I can’t believe you bought my dress.” Marie threw her arms down. “Hawke, you didn’t have to do that. I can’t accept this. I just can’t.”
    Hawke nodded to the sign sitting on the counter. All Sales Are Final . “I can’t return it anyway. So please take it. You deserve to look beautiful on your special day. It’s my way of saying thank you for making my friend so happy.”
    Marie covered her mouth again like she didn’t know what else to do.
    “Hawke…” I still couldn’t process his generosity. “It was so expensive.”
    He shrugged in response.
    “At least split it with me,” Marie said. “My budget was ten thousand anyway.”
    “No.” Hawke grabbed her hands and situated them around the bag. “It’s a gift. I don’t want anything.”
    Marie held the dress to her chest as her eyes watered. Her chest rose and fell heavily, and I knew the water works were underway.
    Hawke dropped eye contact because he didn’t know how to react.
    Marie suddenly darted into his chest and almost knocked him over. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She squeezed his waist with the dress between them.
    Hawke awkwardly returned the embrace, like he wasn’t sure how to give her affection. He patted her on the shoulder and cleared his throat. “You’re very welcome, Marie.”
    Even my eyes watered at Hawke’s gesture. He didn’t have to do that, and no one expected it of him. He did it out of the goodness of his heart. Two years ago, he left me because he claimed he was a monster. How could a monster do something so sweet and heartfelt? Why couldn’t he just see himself for what he truly was?
    Marie finally pulled away, the dress still clutched tightly in her hands. “You’re my superhero, Hawke.”
    He shrugged again, clearly unsure how to respond.
    “I have to call Axel and tell him how great his best man is…” She fished her phone out of her pocket then stepped outside to make the call.
    That left Hawke and me alone, staring at each other and having a conversation without words.
    “That was really sweet of you.” I finally voiced what I was thinking.
    “I saw her eyes light up when she put it on.” He put his hands in his pockets. “After putting up with