“Lilian.”She saw him move forward, but she hadn’t realized what he meant to do until his arms wrapped around her.A hug.Hawk was hugging her.Somehow that was more intimate than anything they had done in her bedroom.
When her parents had first told her the diagnosis, she’d been too shocked to do anything.She remembered coming up with a plan with her dad on how they could support her mom’s recovery.In the blink of an eye, she quit her job and committed herself to her family.But that night she had cried herself to sleep, overwhelmed by everything.
No one had hugged her.
It didn’t feel right.Her mom was the one who needed support.
But now, the strong arms wrapped around her offered refuge.A place where she could finally let the walls down and be comforted.
The tears were falling before she knew what was happening.On instinct she said, “I’m okay.I promise.”
“No, you’re not.”
Her face was buried in his chest, but the laugh that came out was broken.Hysterical.She could partially agree with that statement.Watching someone you love struggle sucked.She’d felt suffocated by her own inability to help.But dwelling on it didn’t do her any good either.So she shoved it all down.
Now, the dam was broken, and she was sobbing into the chest of a man who had only recently become something more to her.Right before she’d brought him home to meet her parents.
Life could be a real bitch sometimes.
This should have been embarrassing.But somehow, she was grateful Hawk wasn’t saying anything.That he was letting her cry it out.Without trying to fix it.Without making it smaller.
Never in a million years would she have thought Hawk would be a comforting presence.But here he was.
Slowly, she composed herself.
Her parents were waiting for them, and if they waited too long, her dad might come back in—guns blazing.
Still sniffling, she forced herself to extract from the protective cover of his chest.“Really, I’m okay now.I’m sorry to dump that on you.”
“Don’t be,” he said.“I thought something might be going on with you, but I wasn’t sure.There were… some things about the shop that didn’t make sense.I’m sorry you’ve been going through this alone.”
Wiping away the trails of tears, she did her best to put herself back together.“I haven’t been alone.Margo has been checking in on me.And you’ve been so helpful.You don’t even know.”
“I have an idea.”
“God.”She exhaled, blotting at her eyes, forcing the redness to retreat by sheer force of will.“This night has been a lot.Are you sure you want to add to it by meeting my family?”
He took one of her hands and gave a reassuring squeeze.“Now, more than ever, I want to meet your family.”
She stared, half expecting a snarky remark before he sprinted out the door, muttering that he’d dodged a bullet.But he just stood there.Like he really was excited to have dinner with her family.Like she hadn’t unloaded half a year’s worth of emotions onto him.
When he didn’t run away, something inside her switched.A long-ago broken piece slid into place.And for the first time, she wondered if this was what love felt like.
“There you are!”
Her father’s booming voice greeted them as they walked into the main house.For once, the dining room table was set.Her parents were usually content to eat in the living room, but apparently this Sunday was a special occasion.At one time, the old farmer’s table had seated her father and his five siblings.It catered to a rowdy group of Brody boys who’d grown up in Tenison.It held scratches and scars from nights of spilled food, rough-housing kids, and frustrated homework sessions.Even Lilian had left a few grooves in its dark wood from when she was a child.
The air smelled of lasagna.Her mouth watered instantly.Since the cancer diagnosis, her dad had stepped into the role of family chef.For months that meant their diet consisted of proteins.Steak and chicken and brisket with only microwavable frozen vegetables for sides.But he was making an effort to expand his culinary skills.She prayed tonight’s adventurous meal would be a success.
Her mom was already seated at the table, her small frame looking even more dwarfed by the large table.As far as days went, it looked like this was a good day.There was color to her cheeks and an air of excitement as she fidgeted with her shawl.“So, I finally get to meet the young man who has been revitalizing my bookstore.”
Hawk gave Lilian a sharp look.“She knows about me?”
Lilian laughed.“She’s been waiting to meet you since you brought me soup.”
His eyes widened.“Really?”
“Come closer,” her mother called out, “let me see those handsome features.”
