Chapter 3
"Oh, it was just a helicopter stunt," she replied. "It's a long story but there were some technical issues so it didn't go very smoothly. Still, the director was pleased."
"Tell him about the kiss," Dom interrupted as he came out onto the front porch of the cabin.
"Kiss?" Hawke asked shooting her an intrigued look.
Caitlin felt her face flush. "Oh, well yeah, there was that too," she replied. "The director just wanted us to fill in for the actors. It was no big deal."
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Dom said, chuckling as he headed back inside the cabin.
"Well, if you really want to jog my memory you can show me how that went," Hawke teased, noticing she was obviously affected by the memory.
"Very funny," she replied while thinking back about the kiss they shared.
"Was it?" he asked as he watched her stand up and walk a few feet in front of the cabin. "Maybe I'm not joking."
Hawke walked up behind her, took her by the arm and gently turned her to face him. "Can I kiss you?" he asked her.
"What?" she asked. "Why?"
Hawke smiled at her. "I don't know why but it's something that I really want to do," he replied in a near whisper.
Caitlin grinned. "Well, okay," she easily gave in as her heart nearly skipped a beat. Of course she wanted to kiss him. She'd wanted to ever since the first time. But she had never thought she'd hear him say he wanted to as well.
"Just watch what you do because I bite," she replied nearly laughing now as she recalled the details of their first kiss.
Hawke smiled at her and then shot her a more serious look. He stared into her eyes before slowly moving closer to kiss her.
She reached up and put her arms around his neck as he pulled her into his arms.
Caitlin felt her stomach do a flip flop as their lips touched. His kiss was just as she had remembered. It started slow before growing more passionate. She felt him pull her closer and deepen the kiss. Fear suddenly took over as she quickly pulled herself away from him.
Hawke shot her a confused look. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"I can't do this," she replied. "What was I thinking? Don't follow me. I need some time to think."
With that she turned and ran down the pathway to the lake.
"What happened? Where's she going?" asked Dom as he walked back out on to the porch.
Hawke sighed. "I kissed her and then she said she needed some time to think," he told him.
"You're playing with fire kid," Dom said as he sat down on the porch steps. "What are you doing?"
Hawke stared over at him before joining him on the steps. "I'm just giving her what she asked for," he finally admitted.
"So, no real memory loss huh?" asked Dom. "What about that fall you took?"
Hawke sighed. "The fall was real," he replied. "I slipped. My date had to cancel lunch and I overheard your conversation. As I was lying there on the floor I decided maybe it would be the best way to really give her that do over she asked for."
"String, what are you trying to prove by doing that?" asked Dom. "You know how she feels about you."
"Dom, you know I've always had an attraction to her," he replied. "But, she always gave me that friend vibe. She needs to determine what her feelings for me really mean. I thought maybe giving her a do over would help her figure that out."
"What if she comes to the conclusion that she really is in love with you?" Dom asked in a sarcastic tone. "What will you do then?"
Hawke shrugged. "Marry her," he said bluntly.
Dom's jaw nearly dropped to the ground. "What?" he asked, unsure he'd heard correctly.
Hawke smiled. "Dom, I don't want her to leave," he admitted. "But, you know it takes a strong woman to be with me. I'm not exactly an easy person to be around."
"You think?" Dom joked.
"She's been here three years and still hasn't given up on me yet," he replied. "But, I'm still not sure she's ready for us to take our relationship further."
"Well, what about you?" asked Dom. "Are you really ready? I mean, you've been out there dating a lot of other women."
"I know," he replied softly. "Dom, please don't tell her that I'm lying about the amnesia. I'll tell her on my own, in my own time."
Dom shook his head and sighed. "Fine, fine," he replied. "Just be careful String. I love that girl like she's my own daughter. I don't want to see her hurt."
Just then the two looked up to see Caitlin coming back towards them.
"Is dinner ready Dom?" she asked, her eyes focused only on Dom. "I just remembered you had said it was almost done."
"Sure is," he replied with a smile. "It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Let's go in and eat."
Caitlin followed them inside the cabin, still not looking at Hawke. She couldn't bring herself to do so. She couldn't help or explain her feeling of embarrassment when it came to him. She had wanted a do over so badly and suddenly she had her chance. "But what if his amnesia is real?" she thought to herself. "How will he feel about all of this when he actually remembers the last three years?"
