“I only want to walk by,” Margo said.“Just two seconds on camera, so I can claim to be on TV.”
“No,” Lilian and Hawk said at the same time.
She blinked, shocked that, for once, she agreed with the manager.She cleared her throat, adopting a gentler tone.“Margo, you’ve already taken your break, and I need you here.”
“Come on,” her friend pleaded, “this place isn’t busy right now.I could go get you something to eat.”
On cue, Lilian’s stomach made a noise that resembled a garbage disposal.Blood rushed to her cheeks.There was absolutely no way Hawk hadn’t heard it.
The offer was tempting.The sad turkey sandwich she’d packed for the day was nothing compared to an actual hot meal.And she’d managed not to eat out as much and was being diligent about leftovers.
No, she reminded herself.Every penny counts.
“I can get you something,” Hawk offered.
Both women looked at him.
“Really?”Lilian winced; she knew it sounded rude, but hearing the offer from Hawk of all people had caught her off guard.
He frowned at their disbelief.“Sure, I have to head over to the food vendors anyway.And I can sneak into the back and grab you something quick.”
Margo gasped.“You’re a line cutter?”
“I’m not cutting anything.”Hawk held up his clipboard as if it were a badge of honor.“Another benefit of the job.”
Yeah, I’m sure they love having their manager come in and demand a meal.Lilian knew exactly what the vendors thought of Hawk, but the offer still stood.And itwastempting.
“Okay,” she agreed, reaching for her purse.“Could you get us a turkey leg to share?”
“Easy,” Hawk said, waving away the twenty she offered.“You don’t have to pay me.I’ve got it.”
“No.Take it.”Lilian leaned forward and slipped the bill into the front pocket of his polo.She gave the bulge of fabric a quick pat, smiling.The muscle underneath was… firm.
Her hand snapped back at the thought.Ew, no.She didnotadmire Hawk Carlisle’s pectoral firmness!There was no universe where she was going to be indebted to him.The fact that he'd even offered at all still puzzled her, but she had bigger things to worry about.Maybe it was pity, after seeing the state of her bookshop.Maybe not.Either way, she didn’t care.
Her stomach growled again.That was her first concern.
Hawk looked like he wanted to protest but wisely thinned his lips instead.“All right, I’ll be back.”
“Hurry,” Margo cried as he disappeared down the road.They watched until he crested the hill before turning to one another.“What do you think that was about?”
“I honestly have no idea.”Lilian turned to the fantasy bookshelf and distracted herself by rearranging the children’s section.Hawk was definitely not the kind of guy to offer to buy lunch for any of the other faire vendors.And what had he been doing outside her window?
The sight of his tall frame leaning over it like some roguish hero in khakis was laughable.
Hawk returned to their shop within thirty minutes, a glistening turkey leg in hand.“Here you go.”He pushed it to Margo in a stiff, business like hand-off.Then he turned that same stiff attention to Lilian and gave her the change.Their fingers brushed, letting her feel a delicious lick of heat from his skin.
“Thanks,” she said, unsure how much gratitude she was willing to show outwardly.Her stomach made the decision for her with another low, monstrous bellow.Her face grew hot in embarrassment, but Hawk graciously acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
“No problem.I have to go check on the camera crew.”
“Try to lure them over here for us,” Margo suggested as she licked her fingers and handed the turkey leg to Lilian.“We could use a little extra exposure.”
“It’s the Food Network,” Hawk reminded her, deadpan.
“They can get some shots of me putting away a turkey leg.”
He rolled his eyes and walked away without further barbs.
