Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Every day after work, Claire counted down the minutes until David called. It was always in the evening before Alexis went to bed. He always spoke to Alexis first. During their conversations, it was the only time Claire saw Alexis’s smile or her laugh. Alexis was miserable in Los Angeles.
Claire’s days were busy and chaotic. She’d shuttle Alexis to the dance studio, race to work, spend the entire day helping clients, rush home to make Alexis and her something for dinner. By the time the evening rolled around she was zapped. Claire appreciated Mom more than ever. All those years as a single mom, Claire wondered how she made it look so easy.
So, once the dinner dishes were done, and Alexis and she settled on the couch together to watch a home renovation show, Claire looked forward to one thing--David calling. He always listened patiently, encouraging her. After their conversations ended, Claire felt reinvigorated.
A week before their final return to Pismo, Claire was talking to David on the phone. It was past eleven, and Alexis had fallen asleep an hour earlier. Claire lounged on the sofa with a blanket sprawled across her legs, and the TV muted with some PBS Masterpiece classic playing.
“Claire…” David said after a slight pause in their conversation.
“David…” Claire replied.
“Are you free next Friday night? Or will you be hanging out with Alexis?” asked David.
Her lips quivered. Maybe David enjoyed their reconnection as much as she did. Clearing her throat, Claire tried her best to sound casual. “Alexis will be with friends from the minute she gets her braces off on Friday. Basically, she’ll only be with me to sleep. She’s been talking nonstop about who she plans on showing her teeth off to first.”
David chuckled. “I’m sure she’ll do exactly that.” Another pause. “Anyways…” His voice trailed off. Claire’s heartbeat rang in her ears. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, David continued, “I wanted to see if you’d be interested in going on a date with me.”
A shot of adrenaline zinged down Claire’s back. Sweat smeared across her forehead. She tried her best to sound flirty when she said, “I could maybe pencil you in.”
“Could you pencil me in for six?” asked David. “I— I thought I could take you to Grover Beach. They let you drive right onto the sand, and we could eat and roast marshmallows in a fire pit.”
“I love Grover Beach.” Claire sighed as a wave of childhood memories ran through her.
“I love it too, but does that work?” asked David.
“It sure does.” Claire smiled to herself. “It’s a date.”
* * *
Claire cranked up the music in the car, letting the smooth, silky sounds filter out the inch gap of her lowered windows. Smiling, in a sing song voice, Claire said, “Only one more hour of having those braces on.”
Glancing over from her cell phone, Alexis laughed. “I thought I was the only one counting it down.”
“Nope,” replied Claire. Her fingers tapped to the beat of the music. “I’m excited to see your beautiful smile too.”
“I think you’re more excited to see David again.” Alexis gave her a once over then wagged a finger up and down the length of her body. “I noticed you have on a brand-new dress, and I know you spent ten extra minutes this morning applying your make up.”
Claire tugged on the top of her floral summer dress. “This old thing.” Jutting up her chin, she continued, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“If by old, you mean, yanking off the tags before you put it on a few hours ago,” replied Alexis. “Then I guess that’s old.”
Claire chuckled. “You caught me.” She glanced ahead at the upcoming curve in the road. One side was the picture-perfect Pacific Ocean, the other side was carved out mountain.
“I applaud you at your effort.” Alexis peered over at her. “I think you look fantastic. It’s going to make David regret ever letting you go.”
“I— I—” Claire stammered. Then she shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going to happen this weekend. Probably nothing life altering, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the tad bit optimistic.”
“I’m hopeful too.” Alexis changed the station on the radio. “Like I’ve been saying all along…” She kept flipping through the stations, clearly looking for a song she found more appealing. “You and David need to get married so we can move back to Pismo Beach.”
Her back straightened and shoulders stiffened, Claire stammered, “I— I didn’t say anything about us getting married.” Claire fanned her flushed face. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. David and I have only been talking to each other. Nothing more. This could be dragged out for years. Or he could meet someone in Pismo tomorrow and then this…” she threw up an exaggerated hand. “Whatever it is will fizzle out.”
“But he asked you out on a date. And you look like a knockout.” Alexis finally landed on a radio station she liked and leaned her head back against the headrest. “By the end of this weekend everything will be figured out. I know it. I can feel it in my bones.” Casually, Alexis stared out the passenger side window, tapping along to the steady beat of the song’s melody.
Claire heard no sound, only the thundering of her heart. Her and David getting married? Ridiculous. “No…” Claire started to argue.
“Shh.” Alexis reached out, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. “No more talking, this is my favorite song.” Then Alexis reached forward and cranked up the volume.
With a sigh, Claire listened to the song, ending the conversation. An hour later, they pulled into the parking lot of David’s orthodontist office.
Alexis unbuckled her seatbelt. “Juliet and her mom are coming at the end of my appointment to see the big reveal of me without braces,” said Alexis with enthusiasm. “Then they’re taking me to meet up with some other friends. I only plan on being at the house to sleep. So, you are free to hang out nonstop with David. I’ll be busy.”
“You know I don’t mind having you, right?” asked Claire.
As difficult as it was navigating the emotional rollercoaster of a teenager, Claire was grateful to have Alexis. If it had been only her, alone during these past months, it would’ve been unbearable. In a way, the two sisters were saving each other.
“I know.” Alexis opened her door and climbed out. “But let’s be honest we both could use a break from one another.”
“Alexis,” said Claire. “I don’t feel that way…” Her words were cut off from the slamming of the car door.
Claire watched as Alexis skipped across the parking lot to the front door and entered.
Flipping down the visor, Claire opened the mirror. With a finger, she smoothed out the outline of her lips and swiped under her eyes. Once satisfied with her appearance, Claire closed it.
Palms sweaty, Claire climbed out of her car and strode across the parking lot. Before she entered David’s office, she took a few deep breaths to calm the swimming sensation in her gut. Chill out. It’s only David. Once her emotions were in check, Claire opened the door, entering the lobby.
Sarah gazed up from her computer as the door chimed. “Claire,” she said with a smile. With a thumb, Sarah motioned toward the exam room. “Alexis has already gone back. She’ll be done in about an hour if you needed to run an errand.”
Claire strode further into the waiting room, stopping in front of Sarah’s reception desk. “I’ll wait.” She wrung her hands together, peering into the exam room. Claire couldn’t see David or Alexis from her obstructed view. “I don’t have anywhere else I need to be.”
“Okie dokie,” Sarah stood, pushing in her chair. “Dr. Clark said I could leave once you arrived, since Alexis is the last patient for the day.”
Adjusting the strap of her purse over her shoulder, Claire shuffled her feet. “Oh, okay.”
A knot formed in her stomach, and Claire reminded herself to breathe. It had been a month since she’d laid eyes on David, and she wondered if she’d still feel a connection between them. Or worse, she wondered if David wouldn’t feel anything at all.
Sarah’s overly animated voice broke her train of thought. “Dr. Clark hasn’t stopped talking about you both coming.” Walking around the desk, Sarah moved closer. After she glanced into the exam room, Sarah leaned in closer and whispered, “And I know he’s excited for your date tonight.”
Her cheeks burned. Claire gulped. “I’m looking forward to it too.”
Patting her on the shoulder, Sarah said, “Yes, so no need to be nervous. David has a great night planned.” Sarah walked the remaining steps to the door. Motioning with her head, she continued, “Why don’t you go on back. You can watch as he removes Alexis’ braces. There isn’t anyone else here. He made sure of that. I’m sure he’ll enjoy seeing you earlier rather than later.”
Then Sarah made her exit.
Clasping and unclasping her grip around her purse, Claire finally mustered up the courage to move, passing through the threshold into the exam room. David was hunched over Alexis with his hands in her mouth. As she shuffled closer, David paused, peering up at her. The air crackled with palpable intensity. Seconds ticked by like infinity. Heat smothered her cheeks. It was there, and she couldn’t quench it, even if she tried.
“David…” Claire finally managed. Using the back of her wrist, Claire swiped at the moisture gathering on her forehead. Throat dry, Claire swallowed, trying to find her voice once more. “It’s good to see you again.”
David gulped, making his Adam’s apple bob up and down. Dropping the instrument in his hands, he bent down to pick it up. “Claire, I’m glad you’re here.” Another pause, then David shook the instrument in his hand. “I need to get a new one. Please take a seat.” He motioned toward an empty chair on the other side of Alexis.
With legs like jelly, Claire walked to the available seat, lowering herself into it. David hadn’t moved yet but remained frozen with the dropped instrument in his hand. She leaned closer to Alexis, examining her teeth. “Alexis, it looks like David is halfway done.” She patted her on the shoulder.
“I can’t wait to see what my teeth look like,” replied Alexis.
“Yes. Yes.” David stammered. Suddenly, he moved to leave. “Yes, halfway there. Let me go get a new one of these.” He quickly left, leaving Alexis and Claire alone.
Alexis burst out laughing. “You two.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s very entertaining to watch you guys interact with one another. I thought David’s eyes were going to fall out when he saw you.”
Claire shifted in her seat. “Enough,” she hissed. “He’ll be back any second. And I don’t want him to hear you talking.”
Alexis adjusted her position in her chair. “Of course,” Alexis scoffed. “Why would you want David to know how you feel about him?”
Pursing her lips together, Claire wondered how to respond. Luckily, they were interrupted when David returned with a clean instrument. After settling back into his seat, David continued to remove Alexis’s braces. Claire forced herself to not stare at David but focus her attention on Alexis’s teeth.
Once the last brace was removed, David announced, “Are you ready to see your new smile?” He pushed a button to lower the exam chair back to its normal height.
Nodding, Alexis waited until the chair stopped moving then she swung her legs over the side. “I’m ready. Let me see them.”
“You look fantastic.” David grabbed a mirror off the side table. He held it out to her. “Take a look at your new beautiful smile.”
Taking the mirror from David, Alexis caught her new look for the first time and gasped. “My teeth look beautiful.” A wide smile spread across her face, making her sparkle. Alexis moved her face in different directions to take in her smile at all different angles. “I knew my teeth would look good, but I can’t believe what a drastic change it is. I love it.”
Claire clapped her hands together. “Alexis, I’m so happy for you. I love your new smile. You look beautiful.”
Handing the mirror back to David, Alexis said, “David, you’re a miracle worker.”
Placing the mirror on the side table, David chuckled. “I’m not a miracle worker only a simple orthodontist.”
The door chimed, and a few seconds later Juliet and her mom wandered into the exam room. Alexis leaped from her chair, pointing at her new perfectly straight teeth. Both oohed and awed at the sight. Once the appropriate amount of praise was given, they moved to leave with Alexis in tow.
Before leaving, Alexis ran back and gave David a big, huge hug. “Thanks, David. I’m so happy,” she said.
David hugged her back. “It was my pleasure. Now go and have a great time with your friends. You can eat all the candy you want. Your dentist can deal with the consequences.”
Claire walked Alexis and Juliet out to the parking lot, double checking with Juliet’s mom about the girls’ plans for the weekend and confirming what time Juliet’s mom would drop her off later that evening. They drove off, and Claire wandered back inside to the empty office. The lights in the exam room were off. Claire peeked into the next few rooms looking for David.
A room past the bathroom had the lights on, Claire called out down the long hallway, “David, are you back there?”
She waited for a reply.
A second later, David emerged from a side door. He flipped off one of the hallway lights as he strode toward her. Claire froze in place, locking eyes with him. Gulping, her palms began to sweat, and her insides turned on themselves.
Managing to find her voice, Claire said, “There you are.” Without thinking, she fluffed her hair unnecessarily.
Without breaking eye contact, David closed the gap between them. Clearing his throat, David replied, “Here I am.” He reached, giving her hand a small squeeze before letting go. “Did Alexis get off okay?”
Claire nodded. “She’s off and ready to live her best life.”
“How about you?” David tilted his head, studying her. “Are you ready to go? Or did you want to swing by my parents’ house first to drop off your stuff?”
Catching a whiff of David’s manly scent, Claire nearly stumbled forward while she said, “I don’t care. Either way.”
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, David’s steady strength settled her. “If you don’t care, let’s head out. I don’t want to miss the sunset. I have everything packed and loaded into my truck. Sarah helped me get everything ready,” said David.
“Sounds perfect,” said Claire.
Then David kissed her on the temple, breaking their physical barrier even more. “I can’t wait.”
The words rang in her ears, nearly making her pool into a puddle on the floor. Leading Claire out of his office, David locked up and then took her hand as they walked across the parking lot to his truck.
His skin against hers sent a zing down her back. And BOOM. Claire knew she was in love.