“Huzzah!”
The cheers shook the walls of the castle.She’d lost count of how many times the crowd had raised their mugs as they celebrated the end of the faire.But the gusto was still there.
The belly of the castle was packed with actors and vendors.There wasn’t an inch of available space at any of the long picnic tables.To her left was Alex with her entire crew of pirates.And to her right were Margo, Russ, and David.All of them had been smiling nonstop.
The night was different from other end-of-season celebrations.On all sides, she was surrounded by people like her.People who had put in endless weekend hours to put on the best damn faire they could.
They'd sweated, rejoiced, even cried together.
“Is this seat taken?”
A foaming mug of beer appeared in front of her as Hawk leaned over her shoulder.She beamed at him.“Depends, is that for me?”
He held up a second mug and brought it to his lips.“One for you and one for me.”
“Switching out the coffee for beer.Good choice.”David grinned as he moved over to make room.
Hawk took his seat.There was nothing overtly romantic about the gesture, but to her, it spoke volumes.In all the years she’d worked at the faire, she’d never once seen Hawk actually join in the celebrations.Now, he’d been to two.Drinking beers with them, celebrating the end of it all.
And hopefully, the beginning of them.
His eyes met hers in quiet contemplation.She lifted her mug and clinked it gently against his.
Cheers to our future.
“So, what’s next for you, Ms.Bodice?”Russ asked politely.
“I have another bookshop I have to keep in order,” Lilian said.“But I definitely plan on being back next year.”
Russ nodded sagely.“Well, I look forward to possibly being neighbors again.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I’m going to get another beer,” Lilian announced, maneuvering her body out of the bench.“Do you want anything?”
“I’m good,” Hawk said.“You enjoy yourself.I’ll drive you home if you need it.”
Her heart swelled at the offer.The way he saidhome, rolled inside her mind, making her stomach do flips.She didn’t know if he meant her house or his apartment, and it didn’t matter.
She wanted to kiss him so badly.His lips were glistening from the drink, and he looked damn good in a long-sleeved hunter-green shirt.But she wasn’t sure if it would be all right.Not yet.But as soon as they got to the car all bets were off.
She let her hand linger on his back and said, “I’ll be back.”
Maneuvering through the castle was its own kind of challenge.Music blared over the sound system, another medieval cover song.This time it was the familiar beat of Backstreet Boys and people were singing loudly alongside the lute.
An open bar sat on the opposite side of the building with a long line that hugged the wall.She settled behind a nobleman wearing a peacock-inspired outfit.
A body settled behind her.She glanced up to share a quiet smile with the stranger and froze.The man wasn’t a stranger.It was Marcus Carlisle.
Still dressed in his kingly robes, the man looked out of place waiting in line with the rest of the riffraff.Shock iced her veins before she forced herself to shake it off.Sure, they weren’t close.But this was Hawk’sdad.
She’d made assumptions about Hawk at first and those had turned out to be wrong.Maybe the same was true here as well.“So, even kings have to wait in line for beer?”she said with a timid smile.
His face did not break from its stern expression.Dark eyes that looked so much like Hawk’s dissected her.“If I wanted a beer now, I would be able to get one.”
“Oh.”That was a weird thing to say.“So, why are you waiting in line?”
He cocked his head at the question.“It seemed like a good opportunity to talk to you, Ms.Bodice.”
