Chapter 3
Claire
I opened my apartment door, stepped out, and inserted the key into the lock. Nick’s door opened.
“Good morning.” He brightly smiled.
“Good morning.” I locked the door. “Off for another fun-filled day in the ER?” I smiled as we took the elevator down to the lobby.
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Where are you off to so early? Work?”
“Something like that.” I smiled as I climbed into my car. “Have a good day, Dr. Nick.”
“You too, Claire.”
I drove to Venice and slowly down their street, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of them outside, maybe leaving for work. It was quiet. No one was around. As I drove, I noticed a coffee shop. Perfect. I needed to figure some things out. I stepped into Mojo Madness and stood in line. Damn, this place was busy. When it was my turn, the barista asked how she could help me.
“I’ll have a medium Americano with a little bit of half-n-half steamed in.”
“Name for the order?”
“Claire.” I smiled.
An older woman walked up to the counter. “Tracy, is Julia in yet?”
“Yes, Barb. She’s in the back.”
“Thank you, dear.”
I stared at the older woman named Barb. It was her. She was the woman I saw on the internet with Henry. My heart started racing.
“Americano with a splash of half-n-half steamed in for Claire.” I heard another barista shout.
I grabbed the cup of coffee and saw Barb leave the shop. I followed her next door to a bakery called Baked With Love. It was just as busy as the coffee shop. Looking inside the cases, a cranberry cream muffin caught my eye.
“Welcome to Baked With Love.” A pretty woman smiled. “How can I help you?”
“I’ll have one of those cranberry cream muffins.”
“Excellent choice. For here or to go?”
“For here. I love the aesthetic of this place. Pink is my favorite color.”
“Thank you. Mine too.” She grinned.
I took the muffin to a small table and sat in the chair facing the counter, watching Barb help the patrons. Why the hell was a woman like her working at a bakery? She kept staring at me, probably because she caught me staring at her. I finished my muffin, and she walked over to the table.
“Excuse me? Do I know you?” she asked.
“No. I don’t think so.”
“I couldn’t help but notice that you kept staring as if you knew me.” Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“I wasn’t staring at you. I was staring at all the delicious baked goods. This is my first time in here,” I said. “And honestly, this muffin is to die for.”
“I see. I’m happy you’re enjoying it.” She walked away.
I let out a breath, finished my muffin, grabbed my bag and coffee, and left the bakery. After doing some shopping, I stepped into Four Kinds for a bite to eat on my way home.
“Table for one?” the hostess asked.
“Yes.” I smiled.
She handed me a menu as I sat down.
“Good evening. I’m Don, your server. What can I get you to drink besides water?”
“I’ll have a glass of Pinot, please.”
“Coming right up.”
As I looked over the menu, Don walked over with my wine, a board with a small loaf of bread on it, and a dish of butter.
“Are you ready to order?”
“I’ll have the pecan-crusted whitefish.”
“And for your side?” he asked.
“The grilled asparagus.”
“Soup or salad?”
“Salad with the house dressing.”
“Very good. I’ll put that in now.” He walked away.
I picked up the serrated knife, cut a small piece of bread, and spread some butter on it. Taking a bite, my eyes closed as I savored the taste.
“Oh my God,” I whispered to myself.
Before I knew it, I’d had three pieces before Don returned with my whitefish.
“Don, this is the best damn bread and butter I’ve ever had.”
He chuckled. “Everyone says that. You’ve never been here before?”
“No. I’m new in town.”
“Oh. Well, welcome to Four Kinds. You’ll love the whitefish.”
As I ate, I looked around for Sebastian. I didn’t see him. The hostess sat a couple at the table next to me. My brows furrowed as I stared at the handsome man. He was familiar. I’d seen him before. He caught me staring, and a small smile gave way to his lips. The woman he was with turned and looked at me. Shit.
“I’m so sorry to stare, but I think I know you,” I said. “Are you a doctor?”
“Yes, I am,” he replied.
“Do you work at Mass General in Boston?”
“I did.” He smiled.
“That’s where I know you from. You were the attending doctor the night I was in a car accident with my friend. Trauma, right?”
“Yes. I remember you.” He pointed at me. “You were the one with the broken ankle who tried to convince me that it wasn’t broken, tried to walk, and fell.”
“Yep. I had a little too much to drink that night. It wasn’t one of my finest moments.”
“Dr. Grayson Kind.” He extended his hand. “This is my wife, Ava.”
Kind. Holy shit. I couldn’t remember his name, only how handsome he was.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kind.” I shook his hand. “And you as well, Ava.”
“It’s nice to meet you—” Ava said.
“Claire.” I smiled.
“Hey, you two.” Sebastian walked over to their table.
I swallowed hard as I stared at him.
“Sebastian, meet Claire,” Grayson said. “She was a patient of mine back in Boston. Claire, this is my cousin and owner of this amazing restaurant, Sebastian.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Claire.” Sebastian smiled as he extended his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, too. I just moved here from Connecticut, and this is my first time in here.”
“What do you think?” Sebastian asked.
“Honestly, it’s the best damn food I’ve ever had. The bread and cherry butter are unlike anything I’ve ever had before. Do you make it yourself?”
He chuckled. “Yes. The bread and butter are freshly made every day. It’s a favorite around here.”
“I can understand why. This whitefish is delicious.”
“Thank you. I’m happy you’re enjoying my food.”
“I apologize for interrupting you. I’ll let you get back to your dinner,” I said.
“It was no interruption at all.” Grayson smiled. “It was good to see you again.”
I gave him a small smile and continued eating, listening to their conversation the best I could.
“Nathan and Ella are joining us,” Grayson said to Sebastian.
“Not Sofia and the other two kids?”
“They’re going out with Rose.”
“Sebastian!” I heard a little girl exclaimed as she ran over and hugged him.
“Hey, Ella.” He hugged her. “Hey, cousin.” He and the other handsome guy lightly hugged. “How about I get you a Shirley Temple?” Sebastian bent down and asked the young girl.
“That would be awesome! Is Alex working tonight?” she asked.
“No. She’s off tonight. But I’ll make it myself.” He winked.
I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t help stealing small glances their way. The young girl kept staring at me. I flashed her a small smile, and she smiled back.
“Ella, stop staring at that woman.” I heard her father say.
“It’s okay. It’s my fault. I keep looking over at you guys,” I said. “My mother just passed away, and she was all I had. I was just admiring your beautiful family.”
“Oh my gosh,” Ava said. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Could you point me in the direction of the restrooms?”
“To the left of the bar, down the hall,” Grayson spoke.
“Thank you.” I pushed my chair out and headed to the restroom.
As I was in the stall, the bathroom door opened, and I heard little footsteps. After I finished, I went over to the sink, where the young girl named Ella was washing her hands.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“Hello.” I smiled back.
“Your name is Claire, right?”
“Yes.”
“Claire, what?”
“Monet.” I dried my hands.
“That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you, Ella.”
“Your dad’s last name was Monet?”
“No. It was my mother’s last name before she got married.” I cocked my head, for I thought that was a strange question.
“The guy she married is or isn’t your dad?”
“He wasn’t my biological father, but he raised me as if I were his own.” My brows furrowed. “What’s with all questions about my father, kid?”
“Just wondering. It was nice to meet you, Claire.” She walked out of the bathroom.
I stood and shook my head. What was up with that little girl?
When I returned to the table, I saw my check sitting there. Picking it up, I noticed the total amount due was zero.
“Don.” I held my finger up. “You made a mistake with the bill.”
“No, ma’am. Mr. Kind said your dinner was on the house tonight. He said welcome to California and Four Kinds.”