“He practically told me so.”
“When?”
“The first week of the faire.”She took another bite, trying to remember the exact words.“Maybesaidis the wrong word.It was his attitude toward the shop.”
Hawk gave a small nod.“My dad believes the faire should feel and look a certain way.Before he ran this place, he was a history professor here at K-State.Before that, he was getting his PhD in England.That’s where he met my mom.”
“Whoa.”She never would have guessed.The framing of that story sounded so utterly romantic.A couple obsessed with history, falling in love in the UK, and starting their own faire together.
“He loves history and believes the faire should be as authentic as possible.If he had his way, the faire would be mostly historical reenactments, lectures, and death by ye olde English monologues.”
Lilian smothered a giggle.“That sounds like the complete opposite of what makes the Ren Faire fun.”
“Exactly.Luckily, my mom understands that.She loves the more… fantastical elements.She balances him out.”
Lilian bit back a smile at the way he said the wordfantastical, like it was a childish thing that had no place.But even with the disparaging of fantasy, it was clear he adored his mother.
“I wouldn’t take it personally.My father disapproves of some of our more recent selections in vendors and acts.”
“What do you think?”
He shook his head.“You know what I think about the faire.”
“Yeah, but do you hate the direction your mom recommends?”
“No,” he said honestly, “I think it's smart.I might not be a fan of that stuff, but I know it’s where the money is.Financially it's a sound decision to cater to fans of fantasy as well as history.”
Without even realizing it, she relaxed.The chaos and horror of the earlier events forgotten.
She touched his arm and twined their fingers together.The heat of his skin against hers felt good.Comforting.Everyone had been so careful with her before, respecting her space, not touching her.But this was exactly what she needed.
Him.
“What do you want to do tonight?”he asked carefully.
She knew he was giving her the lead.Letting her set the pace.“Right now?I just want to spend time with you.”
They both settled on his couch, their knees leaning against each other, a pillow in her lap and his arms spread along the top.The Lions’ Denwasn’t on, but the Kansas football game was.Even though she really didn’t care much about the sport, she let the channel play.It was her own little way of thanking Hawk for staying with her.
She rested her head against his shoulder and let her attention fall back to the television.It was enough for her.Snuggling against the warmth he radiated.Hearing his muttered curses when a play went bad.She didn’t enjoy football, but there was something comforting about watching it with Hawk, who muttered under his breath and squeezed her knee when a play went right.
Instinctively, she looped her arm through his and pulled them closer.“Hawk?”
“Hmmm?”His eyes cut away from the television, giving her his full attention.
“I’m glad you were there.”
His face shuddered for a second as an emotion flashed too fast for her to place.He buried it quickly behind a mask.“Me, too.”
Ye Olde Girl Gang Chat
Margo
Lilian, this is my hundredth text.Please answer.Just let me know you made it home safe.If you need me to come by with ice cream—I’m ready.
Pirate Queen Alex
I’m down for some comfort cream!
