It was a relief to step into Russ’s shop.He pulled a heavy curtain over the doorway, hiding them from prying eyes.Something like disbelief bubbled out of Lilian as she realized she’d been desperate for people to come to her shop, to notice her, and now she couldn’t get away fast enough.
No.She clamped down on that thought fast.This is not the same.You need to get it together.
Last week had been a success.She couldn’t step away now.Her shop needed her.
Get back to the shop.You need to make this work.
“I… I’m all right.”The words were difficult to get out.And they definitely didn’t soundall right.
“Are you sure?”Margo’s eyes searched her face; she didn’t look convinced.
Swallowing hard, Lilian put every ounce of confidence she could muster into a response.“I’m sure.But my dress…” She looked down at her underdress.Her fingers holding the fabric still trembled from the shock of what had happened, but she didn’t focus on that.
Russ handed her a plain cream-colored chemise and a blue velvet bodice.“Here, these will get you through the day.”
Lilian took them with an appreciative smile.“Thank you.”
“You can use my changing room.”He nodded toward the small area in the back.It looked the same as her back counter space, but Russ had hung a curtain and used it as a changing room for anyone who might want to try on his creations.
Lilian moved, her limbs feeling numb.Only when she closed the curtain behind her and let her torn dress fall to the ground did the reality of the situation hit her fully.Her fingers shook as she threw the chemise over her head and laced the bodice.It took twice as long for her to calm down enough to lace the string.
You’re all right,she told herself.Nothing happened.They were just drunk assholes.
But that didn’t change the fact that one of her two corsets was torn.That she’d nearly been bare-breasted in front of strangers.All she could think about was the leer on their faces as they asked,“Ya ever wanna try out the stuff you read about in those books?”
It wasn’t the first time assholes had made rude comments about the books she enjoyed.Or even the first time she’d been harassed at the faire.She was well practiced with responses to shut down anyone who thought they could comment on her private life.But in that moment, none of it mattered.When her clothes had been ripped, she froze.If Hawk hadn’t shown up when he did, she had no idea what she would have done.
A fresh wave of embarrassment hit her at the thought of Hawk.
She must have looked terrible when she stepped out from behind the curtain because Margo let out a soft noise and enveloped her in a tight hug.“Hawk threw those creeps out.It’s all right,” she said.
“I… should talk to him.”
“About what?”Hawk asked, stepping into the store.
Lilian stared.Not because Hawk had magically appeared in the doorway as he always did.But for the first time, his hair was a mess, the buttons of his shirt were askew.He looked… disheveled.And then she realized she didn’t know what she wanted to say to him.Everything had happened so fast.
When she didn’t say anything, he took pity and spoke first.“Those two won’t bother you again.I’m sorry that happened.”
“You didn’t have anything to do with it.”Slowly she pushed herself out of the chair.“I should get back to the shop.”
All three bodies stepped forward in an orchestrated movement, blocking her exit.“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Margo said firmly.“Except maybe home.I can run the shop today.”
“What?No, I’m fine.Really.”
Margo’s face remained stern, but her eyes dipped down to Lilian’s hands, which still had a slight tremble to them.
Okay, so maybe she wasn’t fine.
“I’ll drive you home,” Hawk said.He was staring at her hands as well.Dammit.
“What about my car?”
“It’ll be fine overnight,” Margo assured.“I’ll drive you back tomorrow to get it.”
Hesitation thrummed through her body, even as she was guided out of the shop and led to the parking lot.Her body was still numb.Her mind buzzed with some strange white noise that kept repeating itself.What if… what if… what if…
She knew logically those men hadn’t meant to rip her bodice.And then she felt silly for defending them.The mortification still chilled her body.Like it all happened to someone else.
