She stared at the living room and let herself imagine if this could be more than a one-time thing.If Hawk might want to come over again.If he would start to carve a way into her home life the same way he had with her business.It was surprisingly easy to imagine that future.
“Me, too.”
Eighth Week of Faire
“Whyareyoulisteningto Gregorian chanting?”Lilian asked, noticing for the first time the low, harmonizing hum that came out of nearby speakers.Curious, she glanced at Hawk’s phone and was surprised by the current playlist.Usually Hawk put on a sports commentator.
Hawk looked up from the paper in front of him.“Dad asked me to vet them for an act next year.But it turns out they help me focus.Why, is it distracting?”
Lilian tilted her head, listening to the low voices for a moment longer.“No, you’re right.It is pretty soothing.”It definitely helped put her at ease.Hawk had been to her store plenty of times over the last couple weeks.This was the first time since Pirate Weekend.
The store had undergone a massive change, but so had the relationship between the two of them.Her body was still confused when he was around her.The urge to pull him close to kiss him itched under her skin.Along with the nerves about the reason why he’d come over.
Money.The accounts.Would the bookstore survive to see another year?
Over the last couple of days, the locals had come out in droves to check out the new and improved space.There were no more book piles on the ground, the dust had been cleared away, and she’d added some extra lighting in the back that pulled the shop out of its dark, antique haze.With the changing weather and cooler days, the space felt warmer.Cozier.
Nearly everyone who’d stopped in left with a book or two; the community worked to do their part to help keep the business afloat.And every single person had complimented the new look.
The last week and a half had filled her with a sense of satisfaction stronger than the day she’d graduated college.
They were doing it.They were keeping the shop alive.
“All right,” Lilian said, leaning over the counter.“Give it to me, how are our numbers looking?”
Hawk’s smile dipped into something she was beginning to recognize as his business face.“I’m still working on it.”
“Really?”He’d had their accounting records for weeks; she’d thought he’d be done by now.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking as close to embarrassed as an overly arrogant accountant could look.Oddly enough… it made him look kind of cute.“I’m sorry.It’s been a little crazy recently.The ball…”
Her ears perked.“What about it?”
He sagged in his chair.“Just a disagreement between my parents about the budget.”She could hear the stress in his voice; it was different from the exasperated tone he usually pointed toward faire vendors.This was actually affecting him.Probably because he couldn’t tell his parents to shove it and listen to him.
“It’s always a good event.Even if they decided to have it outside in the cold, people would be there, having fun,” she offered in an attempt to make him feel better.The remark earned her a side eye that questioned her (and everyone’s) sanity.
“The event coordinator has me on speed dial, asking questions my mom should be answering.Plus, I have my other clients.”A heavy sigh.“It’s been busier than normal.I’m sorry.I should have had your accounting done.I’ll be on top of it this week.”
Lilian couldn’t help but be impressed.It was a reminder that this wasn’t his full-time job, it wasn’t even a side job.This was a project, one he was helping her with for free.
She leaned forward, the need to better understand thrumming through her veins.“Well, can you still tell me how it’s looking?From what you’ve seen so far.”
“So far,” Hawk said slowly, typing something on his computer before turning it her way, “you’re in the red.”
A rock lodged itself in her throat, one that refused to go down.She’d known better than to get her hopes up; the changes were only a few weeks old.It would have been impossible for them to make a comeback after years of poor management.
Fighting back the disappointment, she took a deep breath and pushed on.“All right, so what do we do next?”
“Refocus.”Hawk’s voice came out rough as if he was saying it for both their sake.“When the faire is over, you need to put all your attention into this bookshop.Not the faire.I know you love Bodice and Brawn, but that isn’t a viable business, Lilian.You must know that.This business needs you.”
Ouch.That hurt.
It didn’t matter how true the statement was, Bodice and Brawn washershop.While Ten Cents Books was just something she was helping to keep afloat while her mother was in recovery.
“The other thing I would suggest is moving the business away from Tenison.”
The suggestion knocked her back.“Away from Tenison?What do you mean?”
