The Fall For Love

Chapter 24: The Shelter

The next week passed in a blur for Lillian. Due to being a man down, the club was stupidly busy and she had little choice but to help out behind the bar as well as perform. 

She had told the others what had happened with James. The news was met with shock, but concern for her.   

The guys on the door had been instructed not to let him in. Luckily she had heard nothing more from him after the phone call. She had heard nothing from Michael either, but she was far too busy to worry about that.

*

Lillian was getting ready to head to the shelter that Wednesday morning when there was a knock on her door. Instantly, she froze up, gripped by fear.

"Lils, it's me!" came Emelie's voice from the other side of the door. Lillian breathed out a relieved sigh and opened the door. "Are you alright?" The concern was clear on Emelie's face.

"I'm fine." said Lillian, feigning a smile.

"Something really shitty happened to you Lils, you don't have to be okay...you know that right?" Lillian nodded as tears filled her eyes and Emelie wrapped her in a hug. After a moment, Lillian pulled away and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you Em...but, what are you doing here? We normally meet at the shelter."

"I didn't want you walking on your own." Lillian lifted her eyebrows. "Don't give me that look. I know you're worried about seeing him again and I would rather be with you if you did."

"Thank you."

"Anything for you sweets, we ready to go?" Lillian shrugged on her coat and followed Emelie out of the door.

*

They made the short walk to the shelter and when they entered, they noticed just how busy it was.

"I don't remember this many people being here before, hey Lils?"

But Lillian wasn't listening, she saw the man serving behind the counter and could barely believe her eyes. It was Michael Law, shirt sleeves up, apron on, spooning soup into people's bowls. Lillian was shocked. What was he doing volunteering at the same shelter as her?

"Lils...you okay?" Emelie's concerned voice broke through her thoughts.

"Michael is here." murmured Lillian. Emelie looked towards the counter where Michael stood and her eyebrows shot up.

"Wow, how does that man still look hot in an apron and a hair net?" 

"I don't think that's the most important question.....what the hell is he doing here?" Emelie held up her hands in surrender.

"Don't look at me.....it's you he has it bad for." Lillian shook her head in disbelief and walked over to him.

"Michael.....what are you doing here?" He turned and smiled at her, but continued serving.

"Someone I know told me that they believed that you should give back to the community you work in.....so here I am."

"So, you decided to volunteer at the same shelter as me?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well....I was hoping I might see that someone again." Lillian raised an eyebrow and couldn't help the smile on her face.

"Well, I must say, you do suit a hair net." she said with a grin. "it's nice to see you doing some good Mr. Law.....even if it is a tad stalkerish." Before he could answer, she walked away back to Emelie.

"I haven't seen you smile like that in a long time." said Emelie with a grin.

"Ah, hush. He's just a charmer, that's all."