Page 97 of Songbird: Black Kite
“It’s actually pretty great on the inside,” he added, opening the door, then stepping back to let me enter. “The owner is this sweet little old lady. Said her granddaughter painted it for her or something.”
“I know,” I repeated, crossing my arms and looking around. It had been a while since I’d been inside, but Maude’s place still looked exactly the same as it had the last time I had been over. “I helped her, actually.”
Hawk stared at me, eyebrows up.
“You know the old lady?”
“She’s my best friend’s grandmother. She used to make us cookies when we’d come over and play dress-up with all her old clothes.” I smiled, remembering those simple afternoons with Sabrina, wearing long gowns and gloves that went up over our elbows. “When Grandma Maude was ready to move out, Sabrina had the idea to turn the place into a rental property. I helped her decorate.” I’d spent three weekends in a row over at the house, covered in black paint and drinking wine while we attempted to make Sabrina’s vision a reality. Looking around now, I was proud of what I’d helped her accomplish. It was one of the first places she’d done on her own, from concept to execution, and it cemented the fact that she was headed in the right direction for her career.
“That’s kinda crazy.”
“That’s small-town life. You’d be hard pressed to find someone in this place that doesn’t know something about the person next to them.”
“Everyone’s a celebrity, hey?” he said with a low laugh. “That’s not much different from L.A. if you think about it. Except instead of spreading gossip by word of mouth, they rely on the tabloids to do it.” Running a hand through his hair, Hawk let out a breath. “Seems like everyone always knows my business, too.”
Before I could say anything, a sound came from the kitchen, and I turned to see a familiar face staring back at me.
“Charlie,” I said. “Long time, no see.”
Charlie offered me a sad sort of smile, but nodded just the same.
“Miss Blackburn.”
“How the hell do you know Charlie?” Hawk barked, his angry eyes narrowed at the older man.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Blackburn once before,” was all Charlie offered, angering Hawk even further.
“And you never thought to say anything?”
“Say what, exactly?” Charlie asked, his voice low. “Up until recently, I had no idea of the significance of my knowledge. In fact, it wasn’t until I laid eyes on her yesterday that I was absolutely positive she was even the girl I remembered from that night.”
I watched Hawk, a muscle in his jaw ticking as he processed this information.
“You and I are gonna talk about this later, Chuck,” he finally said, pointing a finger aggressively at Charlie.
“Of course,sir.” His tone was sarcastic, but I could see the hurt in his eyes. Charlie cared for Hawk, and this tension between them pained him. “In the meantime, your lunch is served.”
Tossing down the dish towel he had been holding, Charlie stalked out of the kitchen, the front door slamming behind him as he left.
“Is he alright?” I asked, staring at the door.
“He’s fine. Now, come eat.” Hawk spat, pushing past me to head for the kitchen, and I frowned.
“You know, I’m not particularly hungry,” I deadpanned. “Seems I lose my appetite around arrogant jerks.”
Hawk stopped, tilted his head up to the ceiling, and blew out a breath. I stood there, arms crossed defiantly while I waited.
For what, I wasn’t sure.
“Bird,” he breathed, turning to face me with a pained look on his face. “I’m—this is hard for me.”
“What is?”
“This! Being here with you.”
The words hurt, even if I’d never let him know it. The fact that it was a problem for him to even be around me? No woman wanted to hear that kind of thing, never mind from the man who had fathered her child.
“I didn’t ask you to come, Hawk.”
