A loud roar emanated from the television, reminding her that she had left it on.Both she and Hawk looked over to find a new show had started.
“Oh,The Lions’ Den, I love this show.”Hawk’s face lit up in interest, making it look softer.
Lilian stared at him.“You like crappy reality TV?I would have pegged you as the kind who watches sports… and stock market numbers.”
“Sports, yes.Stock market numbers, not so much.Plus, this is not crappy reality TV.”A beat passed before he amended, “Okay.But it’s reality TV I can get behind.Four of the best CEOs in the country hearing half-baked business ideas.Sign me up.”
Lilian snorted into her next spoonful of soup.“You’re right.It actually makes perfect sense when you put it like that.”
She’d only ever caught the show in passing and never paid close attention, but from the kitchen, she and Hawk had a perfect view of the television.They ate their soup and watched the show unfold together.
To her surprise, Hawk understated his interest.The man didn’t like the show.He wasinvested.He quickly explained the premise to her: people came up to pitch their businesses in hopes of getting investors.They gave a presentation while the CEOs (a.k.a the Lions) negotiated terms.If the idea was good enough, the CEO would agree with a corny phrase:“I’ll bite.”
She probably would have watched it half asleep if Hawk hadn’t shown up, but his interest was infectious.Within minutes of a new contestant being introduced, he determined if they would get a deal.He was right every time.
“You are really good at this,” Lilian observed.
“Well, it is my job, so I would hope so.”
“Clearly, I picked the right guy to help me with my business problems.”
Hawk stared at his soup, but in the kitchen light, his tan looked much deeper than she’d noticed outside.It was almost red.“But not the right guy to get you a turkey leg.”
“Definitely not.But you are first on my list if I ever need soup.”She laughed, raising a spoonful in his direction.
“Yeah.”He lifted his as well and said, “I’ll bite.”
They shared a smile at that.Their spoons came together, the metal clang sealing their private business deal.
Sixth Week of Faire
“Areyoualive?”Margoasked early the next morning.Her voice sounded distant as she made the call from her car on her way to work.
“Yes,” Lilian said.“How are you feeling?”
“Nothing a gallon of green tea can’t fix.”
Lilian smiled into her mug as she sipped her morning coffee.She wasn’t feeling one hundred percent, but on days like this, she was grateful the shop wasn’t open on Mondays.She was able to take her time getting out of bed and catching up on the work she’d missed while sick.
“Whatcha do all day?”Margo asked.“I wasn’t able to do anything except watch TV, and even that got interrupted by frequent bouts of upchucking.”
“Same,” Lilian answered.“Tried to read, caught up on some rest, and then—” She froze right before she was about to say, “And then I got a surprise visit from Hawk Carlisle.”
But it was too late.Margo heard the sudden interruption and latched on to it.“And then…” Her friend coaxed.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me.”
“Hawk came by my house,” she said quickly.
“What?!”Car tires screeched on the other end of the line, followed by the distant noise of someone honking.“Jesus,” Margo cursed, “I’m still not fully recovered.Now is not the time to hit me with one of your funny jokes.”
“I’m not joking,” Lilian said.“He came by to apologize about the turkey leg.”A beat settled between them before she added, “And he brought soup.”
She thought the bit about the soup would help explain the situation better.Make it sound less… cozy.
It did nothing of the sort.
