Their supply of pirate romances was gone in no time.And then the pirate fantasy novels followed soon after.
“I can’t believe it,” Margo said, peering through the bodies in the shop to take in the line that was forming around Logan.“It’s actually working.”
“Pirates sell.”
“Sex sells,” Margo corrected.“And that man… yum.He can be insufferable, but a one-night stand with him wouldn’t be so bad.”
Lilian nudged her friend’s shoulder as they grinned at each other.She could hardly believe it herself, but she wasn’t about to pinch herself awake if this was a dream.She threw herself into the work, unable to stop smiling as customers giggled over the handsome pirate.
At one point, she glanced up to wipe the sweat from her forehead and caught sight of a large purple plume bobbing above the crowd.Alex.She thought she heard Logan call out to her, trying to coax her to stay, but the pirate queen was too busy with her own obligations for Pirate Weekend and didn’t slow her stride.
Finally, four o’clock rolled around, and the crowds thinned as the faire day wound down.Margo let out a long, exhausted sigh as she collapsed against the wooden counter.“That was intense.”
“I think you mean thank you,” Logan said from his throne.They’d moved it inside, where it now sat in the corner beneath his wanted sign.“Your shop needed a little life breathed into it, and I did that for you.”
Lilian managed not to roll her eyes, but she wasn’t above showing her appreciation.“Thank you, Logan.”
“Hey… you,” Logan said, snapping his fingers at Margo.“Could you take a picture of me on this thing.I’d like to share it with my fans.”
“I have a name, you know,” Margo muttered, locking eyes with Lilian.“Maybe a one-night stand would be too much.”
Lilian smothered her smile as Logan called out, “Wench!Did you hear me?”
“I’m not a wench!”Margo snapped back, huffing toward him.
Lilian kept a careful eye on the two to make sure they didn’t come to blows, but a familiar shape stepped into the shop.Her heart fluttered at the sight of Hawk.
“Hey,” he greeted casually.“I tried to stop by earlier, but it looked like you had a crowd.”
“We did,” she said.“You would be proud.I marketed the hell out of this pirate.And I sold a ton of books in the process.”
Hawk’s usual stoic expression softened into what almost looked like pride.Once again, heat rushed through her.“I can see that, congratulations.”And then, as quickly as it appeared, the smile was gone.“But one good weekend doesn’t mean you have a booming business.”
Despite the return of the tyrant prince, Lilian couldn’t stop smiling.She was going to ride the high all day.“Nah, I’m a marketing genius now.I’m going to be running this faire in a few years.”
Hawk snorted.“Oh, really?You trying to put me out of a job?”
“Maybe not out of a job entirely,” she answered, “but you said competition breeds competence.”
His eyes widened.“Wow, you really have been listening to me.I think I’ve created a monster.”
Lilian could feel Margo and Logan’s eyes watching them.This easy conversation between her and Hawk was new—new for her and she suspected new for everyone witnessing it.It made her feel special.Like she was the only one who could unlock this hidden secret.
But she remembered Hawk’s fear of unprofessional behavior at the faire and stepped back.Margo already suspected something.They didn’t need to feed any more rumors.
“How about we celebrate a good day’s work?”Hawk suggested.
“Um…” Margo said loudly, “I hope you know I still do not forgive you for the turkey leg.I heard about the soup!”
Hawk shared a look with Lilian.“You did?”he said, slowly adding, “Well, I suppose I owe you a beer, then.If that will make us even.”
“I suppose you do,” Margo said with a definite nod of her head.
“What about me?”Logan shouted.“It’s Pirate Weekend.You won’t treat the main act?”
The old Hawk would have scoffed and walked away without another word.But today, Hawk turned to her, his gaze pained, before he said, “Sure.Why not?Drinks are on me.”
Margo and Logan’s mouths fell open.Silence followed the offer, as they waited for it to be rescinded.Hawk stared back at them, his gaze as sure as always.
