Page 282 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
And at least out here, I haveLennox.
It’s not lost on me though that if I stop catering, if I’m not interested in cooking at all, there isn’t much else for me to do in Silver Creek. But that’s not a thought I want to dwell on after the euphoria I just experienced in Lennox’s kitchen.
“I know I have a lot to be grateful for, Dad. But I’ve given this a lot of thought, and not just since coming to North Carolina. It’s been on my mind a while. I don’twantto be on television. The fame, the attention—it isn’t what I want anymore. I don’t want that life.”
He scoffs. “You sound just like your mother.”
Pain slices into my chest, and unexpected tears pool in my eyes. “Is that such a bad thing?”
His voice is soft, his tone pleading when he says, “Of course not, Tatum. I shouldn’t have said that like it was an insult.” He sighs, sounding older and more tired than I’ve ever heard him sound. “Will you just think about this, please? We’re family. For so long, it’s only been you and me against the world. Think of everything we’ve done together. The traveling, the cooking. This could be another chapter for us. Agreatchapter for us.”
It’s my turn to sigh. “Dad, I just . . .”
I don’t even know how to finish my sentence.
“I’ve done a lot for you, Tatum,” he says. “Everything you have is yours because I gave it to you. You owe me this much.”
An aching hollowness fills my chest. Do Ireallyowe him? He’s my father. Hehasgiven me everything I have—worked hard togive me every opportunity. And he’s right—for a long time, it was just the two of us, conquering the world together. But love shouldn’t feel so contractual. If this isn’t an opportunity I want, would he really want me to sacrifice so his career can benefit?
“I’ll think about it, all right? But I’m not making any promises.”
“You’re being foolish,” he says sharply.
“I know you think that. But I’m a grown woman. I still get to make my own choices.”
“Did you at least look over the contract I sent you? Just read the terms. A couple of years, five max. And branding deals. Tatum Elliott Cookware has a nice ring to it.”
“I said I’d think about it,” I say, my patience running out. “I have to go. I’m exhausted. I really need to get some sleep.”
I hang up the phone before he can say anything else.
Tatum Elliott Cookware?
It’s hard to imagine there was ever a time when that might have swayed me.
Still, Dad is family. And family is supposed to stick together. Isn’t it?
I stand up and pace around my tiny living room. It isn’t fair. Not even a little bit. But . . . could I give him two years? Five years max, he said. Could I give him five? And if I don’t, will his career really be over? Do I want that hanging over my head?
I am no closer to an answer when I finally settle into bed, my heart aching with an emptiness I haven’t felt in months. It’s only when I think of Lennox that I’m able to relax and drift off to sleep, the warmth of his kisses and the strength of his arms carrying me into my dreams.
Chapter Twenty
Lennox
It’s 9:53 when Tobycomes bounding down the stairs to greet me. I don’t see Tatum, but she can’t be too far behind.
I crouch down and give Toby a good scratch, his tail thumping against the wall.
“I swear, too much more of this, and Toby’s going to love you more than he does me,” Tatum says as she reaches the bottom of the stairs.
I stand up and meet her eyes, a pulse of concern immediately seizing my thoughts. Tatum looks exhausted. Still beautiful butwornin a way I haven’t seen before.
Maybe I’m being too selfish keeping her up late so many nights in a row. It’s hard not to want her company every second I can have it. But she has to take care of herself.Ihave to take care of her.
“That works out for me because I’m pretty crazy about Toby’s owner.” I lean down and place a light kiss on her lips, one hand wrapping around her waist.
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes, and I get the sense there’s something she isn’t telling me. Or maybe she’s just tired?
