Chapter 19 Clarice
CLARICE
“This was wonderful,” Clarice said, for probably the third time. “I had such a good time.”
She had insisted on paying her half, to the amusement of Theo, and Bruno had given only a token protest. “I’m not some kind of macho man who will crumble in the wake of a woman paying her own way,” he said, when he conceded.
He did insist on holding the door for her, and on walking her to her car. It was cold out, and their breath steamed in the parking lot lights.
“Do I have to wait for a third date to ask for a kiss?” Bruno asked, his dark eyes dancing behind his fogged up glasses.
Clarice only remembered that she was wearing contacts because her own lenses hadn’t frosted up when she walked outside.
Veronica’s coat was definitely not equal to the weather and her ears were freezing. Was her hair even worth this?
“I think that’s sex,” she said boldly. “And anyway I’m not sure how to count house showings.”
“I think each one should count as a half-date at least,” Bruno said. He was standing very close to her on the curb by her car, neither of them making a move towards their vehicles. “So we’re up to two and a half dates.”
“Is that your professional opinion?” Clarice teased.
Bruno laughed, and then it was completely natural to lean towards him as he swept in for a kiss.
It was not a long kiss, but it was a good kiss, neither rushed nor drawn out.
Bruno’s mouth was warm and his lips were strong.
The mustache wasn’t as uncomfortable as she’d feared, but it had a pleasant prickle.
Clarice had a second to hope that what was left of her lipstick didn’t taste too bad to him, and then he was drawing away and she felt entirely bereft.
“Wow,” she said, genuinely speechless.
“Worth another date?” Bruno asked hopefully.
“You could skip straight to the third for that one,” Clarice said brazenly. Wearing makeup made her brave. Unfortunately, it didn’t make her warm, and Bruno noticed that she was shivering when her teeth chattered.
“You’re freezing!” he exclaimed. “I shouldn’t be making you stand out here in the cold.”
“I’ll get in my car,” Clarice said, slipping through the snow in her useless heels. “Let’s do this again sometime.”
“Soon,” Bruno agreed, catching her when she might have fallen.
He helped her to the driver’s side and Clarice unlocked the car and got into the driver’s seat.
She wondered if she should invite him over to her place, then remembered that she lived in The Tails, and couldn’t bear to.
And he had a little boy at home acting as a block for first kiss follow-ups. The only thing to do was say goodbye.
“Thank you,” she said, gazing up at him as he smiled down on her. “Have a good night.”
“You too,” Bruno said wistfully. Was he wishing the same thing she was, that they were younger and more flexible and that sex in a cold car wasn’t so uncomfortable?
He shut the door chivalrously for her, then stood and watched as she pulled away from the lot.
Was he really magic? she wondered, driving home on the familiar streets and not seeing a single one of them.
Was the effect he had on her just physical?
Did she imagine their connection? Was it just hope that made her feel like he was as into her as she was with him?
He was so handsome and easy going, and Clarice felt so good with him.
Like she didn’t have to try too hard, and if she did, like he would understand why she was.