A knock on the door woke her from another achy sleep.She blinked, realizing for the first time how dark her house was and that she hadn’t moved from her spot for almost eight hours.Another brisk knock hit her flimsy door.Dad,her mind helpfully reminded her.He was checking in on her.And if she didn’t get up soon, he would probably break the door down to make sure she wasn’t lying prone on the ground.Which, actually, wasn’t far from reality.
With a groan, she unfolded her limbs from the couch, hugged the blanket around her shoulders, and went to answer the door.
It wasn’t her father.Instead, she saw a broad back covered by a bright red hoodie and khakis.The man was about to leave but turned at the sound of the door opening.
Hawk.
“What are you doing here?”Lilian was acutely aware that her messy bun likely looked like a bird’s nest.And… oh god, she wasn’t wearing a bra.At least her oversized sweater hid that bit of information.There was a fine line between cozy-cute-mess and I-hugged-the-toilet-all-day mess.And she was unmistakably the latter.
Meanwhile, Hawk looked like his usual put together self.The hoodie was new, though.It made him look more casual, and his hair was damp from a fresh shower.He held up a plastic bag in his hand.At least four metal cans clinked against one another along with what looked like the biggest box of Ritz crackers she’d ever seen.Which was nice, because she’d thrown up her last batch before lunch.
“I felt bad, so I figured I would check up on you.I brought soup.”
Lilian took the offering, not knowing what to say.She settled for a polite, “Thanks.But how did you find out where I live?”
Hawk had the sense to look chastised by the question.“I asked Alex.”
“Alex?”Lilian repeated, surprised.During their summer practice sessions, she, Alex, and Margo made a ritual of having wine nights afterward.Hearing the other woman’s name was a reminder that she and Hawk had a relationship.Not an antagonistic one like with Lilian.But something else entirely.
“Alex said she would check in on your friend Margo and asked if I could check in on you.But if it’s not okay, I’ll go.”Hawk shoved his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, looking lost.Like he didn’t really know why he was there either.
God, this was awkward.Lilian didn’t want him to see what a mess she (and her house) was.He must have rushed home, showered, and driven all the way out to Tenison.To give her food.She had no idea why he’d decided to do it, but she couldn’t just take the soup and send him on his way.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“No,” he said simply.
“Well, why don’t you come in?It looks like you got enough soup to feed a whole family.”
“Yeah.”He gave an appreciative smile as she opened the door.“I didn’t know what you would prefer, so I got a few options.”
“You really didn’t have to.”Lilian sighed.“I’m feeling better.”Now that her stomach had finally purged itself of all the offending turkey bits.
“That’s good,” he said, “but my guilt wouldn’t let me go home without at least telling you how sorry I was.”
“You should be.I don’t think I will ever be able to look at a turkey leg again.”It was partially a joke, partially the truth.The thought of cooked meat made her stomach quiver.She grinned at him, though, to show there were no hard feelings.
Hawk didn’t crack a smile.He followed her into the kitchen, taking in the old-fashioned cabinets and dated styling.When her parents had converted the barn into a living space, they hadn’t put much money into the aesthetic.But she could only imagine what he was thinking.She lived in a place straight out of a retro farmhouse magazine.
Without a word, Hawk gravitated toward a spot beside the stove that was free of clutter and began pulling out soup cans and crackers.“I did tell you that faire food was bad for you.”
“You did,” she agreed, opening the Ritz crackers and taking a small nibble.“And then you offered to buy me some.”
“Your stomach was practically demanding it.”
Lilian’s eyes widened.“We agreed never to speak about my stomach.”
He smirked at her.“I never signed that contract.”
With her instructions, Hawk wrestled a pot from the cupboards and dumped two cans of chicken noodle soup into it.Watching him stir the broth while she leaned against the counter reminded her of the days when her mother used to take care of her.It was a surreal feeling after the role reversal the last few months.It was… nice to have someone take care of her for once.Even more surreal was the comfort coming from Hawk.
“So how was the faire today?”She leaned against the counter, doing her best to sound nonchalant.
“Same as always.”Hawk shrugged.“But I suspect what you really mean is how was your bookshop and the show?”
Lilian smiled.“Of course that’s what I mean.”
“Well, we canceled the show and let Logan’s band have the stage for the forty-minute time slot.One Sunday without you won’t kill the momentum,” he said quickly as soon as Lilian opened her mouth.“Don’t worry about it.I already spent half the morning reassuring Alex about it.”
