Chapter 14 Bruno
brUNO
Clarice got to her feet when Bruno came in, then looked like she wasn’t sure what to do with her hands. “Hi!” she said. “How can I help you? How’d it go with the bank? Can I get you a coffee? Oh, I haven’t made any yet, sorry…”
Bruno wondered if he was smiling as foolishly as she was.
“No coffee, thanks. I’ve had my quota for the day.
I’ve decided to wait on the house. I’m still building my credit, and if I get it up just fifty points, I’ll get much, much better terms. My practice hasn’t been around that long, and although business is steady now, it wasn’t when I started.
I’ve got some college debt I can get paid off in a few months and I’ll be in a stronger bargaining position.
The house will either be on the market then and meant to be, or I’ll look for something else then. ”
“That’s very sensible,” Clarice agreed. “I don’t want to say don’t buy now!—that’s not how you close a deal, of course, but it can make a big difference to do things in the right order.” She cocked her head to the side. “You said, your practice. Are you a doctor, then?”
Bruno hesitated. “I’m a psychiatrist.”
Clarice gave one of her uncertain laughs, undoubtedly thinking back over everything she’d told him in a new light. “You’re a shrink?”
A shifter shrink, Bruno wanted to assure her, but of course, that was a whole new can of worms that didn’t need unpacking. Yet. “I promise not to diagnose you with anything on a date,” he said with a hopeful chuckle. “And since I’m not your client now, I can actually ask you out on one.”
Clarice froze, eyes wide as she realized what he was saying.
“I wouldn’t promise that,” she told him frankly.
“You have no idea what a headcase I might be.” She flushed.
“I mean…none of it is a surprise. Self esteem issues, a tiny bit of OCD. Some run of the mill anxiety. I’m pretty much the sweater-wearing geek that I am on the tin.
Oh no, I’ve said too much and now you’re reconsidering asking me out and wondering about offering me a business card instead.
You’re thinking, ‘She might be an okay date, but she’d be a goldmine in professional fees. ’”
Bruno had to laugh. “I am not thinking that at all.”
Clarice grinned. “Oh, good, because I can’t afford therapy. I spend all of my money on my ungrateful cat. Transference of childhood trauma spent trying to get my parents to love me, probably. Tell me that I’m still being funny and I haven’t crossed a line?”
“You’re still funny,” Bruno assured her.
And she was. It had annoyed him when Tracy tried to joke about his job, but that was because he knew she didn’t respect him.
Clarice was still looking at him like he’d hung the moon, and she was careful to check in with him about her humor.
It was probably just the honeymoon period, he told himself. Most relationships devolved over time.
She’s not scary, his armadillo said thoughtfully. No danger.
“I happen to have tickets to a charity concert tomorrow,” Clarice offered. She glanced towards Veronica’s closed door with an adorable confused crinkle of her brow.
“Oh,” Bruno said regretfully. “Gil has swim lessons Friday nights.”
Clarice’s face didn’t quite fall, just sort of settled into a careful neutral expression. She was expecting it not to work out, and for a blistering moment, Bruno hated whoever had instilled that in her. “I can’t do Friday, but how about Saturday night? I could take you out to dinner.”
Color bloomed across Clarice’s face. “I’d like that,” she murmured. “A lot.”
Bruno knew that the butterflies in his chest were metaphorical. Anticipation. Optimism. He liked Clarice, and instinct suggested that they could be amazing together.
“You’ll need my number,” Clarice said, flustered. “Oh, you have my card.”
“I’ll give you my number,” Bruno offered, and she put it in her phone. “So you don’t think it’s a telemarketer.”
“Or one of those loaded political polls,” Clarice agreed.
“They are so biased,” Bruno said inanely.
“I’m sorry the house didn’t work out,” Clarice said, not sounding sorry.
“Just for now,” Bruno said. “Good things come to those who wait.”
“Saturday,” Clarice squeaked. “I’m definitely waiting for Saturday.”
“Does that make me a good thing?”
“Well, you don’t seem like a bad thing.”
Bruno glanced at his phone. “I have an appointment,” he said regretfully. It wasn’t like they could have a decent conversation in the realty office anyway. He was too aware of Veronica’s closed door.
“Thanks! Have a good day! Enjoy the weather!”
Bruno paused at the door and looked back. Clarice was still standing, smiling like the sun, her arms wrapped around herself nervously. She gave a sheepish wave and sat down at her desk as Bruno left.
Now, he just had to find a babysitter.
A babysitter who would take a rowdy five-year-old boy who shifted into an armadillo when he got scared.