Hawk turned back to her.“What do you need the picture for?I should warn you, the faire has a right to review anything an actor or shop owner posts online.”
“It’s not for social media.It’s for… an art project.”
“An art project?”both men repeated.David’s brows shot up with amusement at the same time Hawk’s dipped in speculation.
She watched Hawk take a deep inhale, an attempt to try to conceal his annoyance, but it was still there in the tight set around his eyes.“You are both actors here.It breaks the illusion if people are taking selfies and videos instead of interacting with the guests.”
A wave of guilt washed over her.He had a point.Still, she would rather be tied to the stocks than admit it out loud.
Surprisingly, David took Hawk’s ire with easy grace.“All right, no problem.I should go get ready for the joust anyway.Ms.Bodice, it was lovely meeting you.”
“Same to you, good knight.”She dipped into a deep curtsy, flashing the brightest smile she could manage.One she would never offer a man like Hawk Carlisle.
David headed off down toward the jousting arena at the bottom of the hill.
Once he was out of earshot, Hawk turned back to her and held out his hand.“Your phone, please.”
“What?”She straightened.“You have to be kidding.”
His face suggested the man had never told a joke before in his life.“Rules say if an actor or business owner has their phones out, they can be confiscated until the end of the day.”
“What is this?Elementary school?”
“Phone.”He held out his hand expectantly.
Lilian glared at the man.She was a grown woman, one who had been through a lot of shit the past year, and she absolutely refused to let this guy treat her like a child.She lifted her phone so he could see it and then promptly dropped it down the front of her cleavage.
Her squashed breasts kept the phone from falling to the ground.In fact, they cradled the cool metal nicely against her flushed skin.“Come and get it,” she said, placing her hands on her hips.
Hawk stared, a dark red coloring creeping up his neck.“You…” His mouth opened and closed as if there were a number of things he wanted to say to her.But nothing came out.For the first time since she’d met him, maybe even for the first time in his life, Hawk was speechless.
Finally, he settled for, “Next time I see the phone out, I will get it.”
She met his gaze.“Fine.”
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.Neither bending under the other’s scrutiny, until Margo broke the silent standoff.“Ms.Bodice, we need your assistance in the shop!”
“I should be getting back.”
“Go.I’m done with you.”The irritation was back, but this time she wasn’t entirely sure it was all directed at her.
Lilian stepped back, and the moment she did, the spell between them seemed to break.It was suddenly easier to look away from Hawk and to refocus on the fact that she had a shop that needed attention.
She turned her back to him, grateful to Margo for the excuse to leave.
But before she could take a step, Hawk called after her, “Whenever you need pictures, talk to Gabby.She’s the faire photographer, and it’s what she’s here for, all right?”
She had no idea there was a faire photographer, or that she could utilize her at will.“I’ll do that next time… thanks.”
She glanced back, but Hawk was already walking away.His stride was purposeful as he cut through groups of patrons.Lilian meant to return to her store right away.She meant to put the whole altercation behind her as soon as possible.But she couldn’t help staring at the man’s retreating back until he disappeared for good.
Second Week of Faire: Highlander Weekend
Thesecondweekdestroyedany hope that things would be easy.
The initial flood of customers died down to a trickle.Barely a soul came to their little edge of the faire on Saturday morning.
Lilian almost sent Margo to the front gate to check that they were open, but from the bottom of the hill, they could hear laughter and merriment cascading throughout the field.
