Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Claire, I’m home!” bellowed Alexis as she passed through the front door. “Did you miss me?”
The old wood floorboards creaked under the weight of her feet, further announcing her arrival.
“I’m in the living room!” Claire replied.
After David had dropped her off, Claire had settled onto the couch. Mindlessly, she turned on a home makeover show. Alexis appeared in the threshold between the hallway and living room.
Crossing her arms, Alexis leaned against the wall. “I’m surprised you kept the couch.” Her eyes roamed over the almost empty room with a head nod toward couch, she continued, “You’ve sold everything that wasn’t nailed down.”
Claire rubbed her hand over the top of the well-worn brown leather couch. “If I thought somebody would’ve bought it, I would’ve sold it too. But it’s way too old and cracked for anyone to want it.” She shrugged, pushing away the years of shared memories on the very couch. Her voice cracked. “We can pull it out to the curb the day we move, and the city will pick it up and take it to the dump.”
Plopping down on the empty cushion next to her, Alexis replied, “You’re right about some things…” She reached over and pulled the blanket sprawled over the armrest, covering herself with it. “Nobody would pay any money for this couch. I told mom for years to replace it.”
Claire ran a finger over a huge crack in the cushion. “Me too.” She muted the TV Turning to face Alexis, Claire tucked her feet under herself. “I don’t think Mom had the money to replace it. But it sure is comfortable.”
A smile crept across Alexis’s face, scanning the old couch. “I’d take comfy over nice looking any day.”
“Agreed,” replied Claire.
Claire then asked about her day with Juliet. Alexis lit up, explaining about the fun shops they visited.
After Alexis spoke about her day, she raised an eyebrow, “And how did things go with David?” asked Alexis. “Do you still think he’s hot?” Before Claire answered, Alexis continued, “I was mad at him for not calling you after the movie, but he has redeemed himself. I mean David helped you for the whole day for free, that certainly counts for something.”
Unmuting the TV Claire glanced at the screen. “He was extra helpful today.” Claire didn’t continue, but instead she turned up the volume of the home makeover show.
Speaking louder, over the TV “And?” Alexis whacked her on the thigh.
“And…” Claire kept her gaze forward, though she could feel the heat smearing across her cheeks and chest. “I still think he’s hot, but I don’t know if he’s interested. I think he might simply be a nice guy helping us like he’d help anyone else he thought was in need.”
“Nah…” Alexis pulled out her cell phone from her pocket. “Keep telling yourself that. I think it’s a bunch of hogwash. He’s into you.”
Interest piqued. Claire leaned forward, pulling down Alexis’s cell phone from her face. “Why do you think he’s into me?”
Alexis yanked her phone from Claire’s hand. “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “He’s certainly always staring at you.”
“Like how does he stare at me?” asked Claire.
“Like you’re the only one in the room,” said Alexis without looking up.
Claire wanted to press her for more information, to ask her to give her examples, but she knew it wouldn’t be helpful. If David wanted to see her again, he’d contact her. Dropping it, they watched TV until the end of the episode.
Once it was over, Alexis stood. Stretching her arms over her head, she yawned, “I’m going to bed.”
Claire flipped off the annoying infomercial for a scrambled egg microwaving device. “Me too.” She stood, folding up the blanket Alexis had used, placing it back over the armrest.
Turning off the light, both left the living room.
Wandering down the hallway, Alexis stated over her shoulder, “Maybe if you and David fall in love, then we won’t have to move from Pismo. We could move in with him.”
Claire froze.
Blinking, Claire said, “Don’t be ridiculous. I know you want to stay in Pismo, but that’s not happening. Falling in love takes time. People don’t rearrange their entire lives in a few short months. Sorry kiddo. In two months, we’ll be gone. I need to get back to my job or we’re going to run out of money.”
Alexis rolled her eyes. “David’s rich. He’s an orthodontist. He could take care of us.”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Claire inhaled, forcing the frustration in her chest to settle. “David isn’t rich.”
“I’m sure he has more money than us,” said Alexis.
“It isn’t hard to have more money than us,” replied Claire.
“I know.” Alexis shook her head. “This is why you need to marry David.”
“You shouldn’t marry someone for their money.” Claire knew it was pointless trying to explain this to a teenager. “You should marry someone, because you’re in love and can’t imagine life without them.”
“I knew you were a romantic at heart.” Alexis smirked. “Besides you’ve already told me multiple times about how hot you think David is, so no worries, I know you aren’t after his money.”
Claire groaned. Her jaw clenched. “David and I aren’t getting married. Now…” She motioned toward the bedrooms. “Let’s go to bed. It’s been a long day.”
Alexis held her hands up in defense. “No need to get all testy.” Alexis complied, walking toward her bedroom. Claire turned off the lights as she trailed along behind her. Alexis droned on, “I’m just saying, it would be very convenient if you two fell in love. I’d be okay with it. You aren’t getting any younger either.” She stopped, her gaze sliding down Claire’s frame. “You’ve got five years, tops, to land yourself a guy.”
Claire pointed to Alexis’s bedroom. “Enough. Go to bed,” she hissed.
Then Alexis cackled. “Oh, look how sensitive you’re being. You like him even more than I thought. You like him— a lot.”
* * *
Monday morning, Claire shoved Alexis’s sandwich into a brown paper bag. She grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl, tossing it inside before folding the top closed. “Alexis!” Claire shouted. “We need to leave or you’re going to be late. I can’t come up with any more excuses for the school.”
Alexis rushed into the kitchen with her backpack slung over her shoulder. “Our mom died… I think they’ll understand.” She grabbed the paper bag Claire held outstretched to her. Then she shoved it into her backpack, zipping it closed. She adjusted the strap over her other shoulder. “We have at least a few more months to milk that.”
Claire couldn’t help but laugh. “If only that’s how this worked.” She pointed toward the front door. “Let’s hit the road.”
Rolling her eyes, Alexis said, “Fine.”
After managing to drop Alexis off on time for school, Claire took the long route home. Picking the road which hugged the ocean, she hoped the view of the ocean would calm the staccato beat of her heart. Sadness washed over her, Claire was going to miss this town and the memories she shared here. Once she moved Alexis into her apartment in Los Angeles, she knew Pismo would be in the rear-view mirror. They wouldn’t have time to visit or have a place to stay if they did decide to come back. Her former life, the one with her mom in it, was slipping through her fingertips. And she hated it.
Claire rolled down the window a tad as she stopped at the four-way stop, a block from the Old West Cinnamon Roll Shop. Her nostrils flared from the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon rolls. A line was already wrapped around the corner, but the comfort of a perfectly baked cinnamon roll led her straight into the parking lot. Without thinking, Claire climbed out of her car and joined the long line.
Slowly, the line moved forward. Her mind was elsewhere, a mix of memories from her childhood of walking there in the summer with Mom and Alexis. Claire even remembered a few good times with her dad in it, but she tried not to think about him too much if she could help it. But then her mind wandered to David. Their Saturday together only solidified her feelings for him, but after he hadn’t called or texted her, she doubted he reciprocated her feelings. Regardless, she needed to thank him for his free labor.
So, when she finally arrived at the front of the line, Claire ordered an extra dozen of the cinnamon rolls to drop off at David’s office. With the morning under way, Claire figured he’d be with clients, which would work perfectly, because she could leave them with Sarah at reception. The debt would be repaid in full. With the cinnamon rolls in hand, Claire left the cinnamon roll shop and drove to David’s office.
Pulling into David’s orthodontist parking lot, Claire found it empty which didn’t feel quite right. Nevertheless, after parking, with the cinnamon rolls in hand, she wandered across the parking lot to the front door. When she went to open it, Claire found it locked. Confused, she glanced around the door and spotted the hours of the office. Apparently, since it was Monday, the office opened later than usual, not until ten-thirty.
Double checking the time on her watch, Claire groaned. The office didn’t open for another half hour. “Great,” she muttered under her breath. “What do I do now?”
Pausing, she peered back at her car. Maybe she could find a pen? Then she could write a note and leave the cinnamon rolls on the doorstep. With a plan, Claire veered back toward her car. The sudden sound of squealing tires made Claire jump. David’s truck peeled into the parking lot. She moved out of the way of his truck, nearly tripping on the curb. This was not how she planned on this whole thing playing out. He already saw you. You can’t run away now.
Knees shaking, Claire fumbled her way toward his truck. Smiling, David climbed out. “Claire, what are you doing here?” His eyes glided down her body, making her skin ignite. “It’s so good to see you again.” He shut the door and strode over to where she waited.
See. He’s glad to see you. It isn’t all in your head. But he didn’t contact you either, so who knows what to think.
“I— I—” Claire stammered, forgetting how to communicate. Remembering why she was there; Claire shoved the box of cinnamon rolls toward him. “I brought you these, as a thank you.”
His eyes lit up, smoothing out the ball of nerves bouncing around in her gut. “You didn’t need to do that.” David took the box from her, glancing down at the logo printed across the top of the box. “But Old West Cinnamon Rolls are my favorite.”
A pause followed. Claire wrung her hands together while shuffling her feet. When he just remained silent, she took it as her cue to leave. “Well, you have a nice day. Thanks again for your help on Saturday.” Her heart hammered, making her temples throb. Casting her glance away from him, Claire moved toward her car. “I’ll see you around.” She spoke over her shoulder.
Claire didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t that. Deep down she desired David, but David wasn’t interested in her. None of this mattered, she reminded herself, because in two months she’d drive away from Pismo and never look back.
With jittery hands, Claire opened her car door, tossing her purse onto the passenger seat. Sliding inside, she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Boy, she had been foolish. Reaching to close the door, David’s voice stopped her cold.
“Wait,” David called out.
Claire popped her head out her car door, craning her neck to see him. David jogged over to her car with the cinnamon rolls still in his hands.
Out of breath, he gripped the corner of her door with his free hand. “I want to take you out.” His breath started to even out. He locked eyes with her as he continued, “On a real date.”
Her cheeks splashed with heat. “Umm…” Claire gripped the steering wheel. “Are you sure? I know you were only being nice helping me on Saturday. You don’t have to take me out.”
He flashed his pearly whites, nearly blinding her. “I mean I’m not going to argue with you about that, I am a nice guy. But I did have ulterior motives when I agreed to help you. I wanted to spend time with you. And truth be told, the more I am with you, the more I want to be around you and get to know you better, so what do you say? Dinner, Friday night. If Alexis is around, I don’t mind her tagging along, too.”
Claire gnawed on her bottom lip while fiddling with her keys. “I think Alexis is going to a play with her friends at the school, so I should be free.”
“Then…” David smiled widely, dissolving any moment of doubt she experienced only moments prior. “I’ll see you Friday night.” He released his grip from the corner of the door, taking a step backwards. Shaking the box of cinnamon rolls, he added, “Thanks again. I’ll thoroughly enjoy these.”
With a trembling hand, Claire waved goodbye and told him she’d see him Friday. Claire started the car and drove home, and despite the morning dew, she was warm all over.