Chapter Twenty-Two
It was with mixed emotions that Nick headed toward the wrap party for Handymen. Although they’d had a small celebration after the shoot at Haven, the network had thrown some money toward a proper party. They’d even rented out a swanky restaurant in Toronto’s posh Yorkville neighborhood.
It really was the end of Handymen. In two weeks, he’d be off to Victoria.
He’d known it was coming, but the deadline had never loomed quite as much as it did now.
Since he’d admitted his feelings for Claire, his travel and work plans seemed to be hurtling toward him at lightning pace.
He simply wished he could slow things down a little, so he and Claire could get their bearings and just enjoy each other for a while.
Two weeks.
His father’s words echoed in his mind, and his description of having to be away from Nick’s mom when they were first married. I hated not being able to see her every day, but we made it work.
They would make it work too.
He clasped her hand as they walked into the restaurant. “It was nice of you to offer to take photos of the event.”
She adjusted her camera case strap on her shoulder. “I’m happy to do it. It’s good practice, and I’m sure you’d all like mementos of tonight. I’m really proud of you, Nick. I want you to enjoy yourself at this party.”
“I’m with you, aren’t I?”
As soon as they got through the door, they ran into Nick’s brothers.
Michael, Emily, Eli and Bernie were chatting, but they all stopped to greet them.
Nick was especially happy to see how warmly Emily and Bernie welcomed Claire into the mix.
It was important to him that she be comfortable around his family.
Considering that she was laughing with the others within minutes, it didn’t appear that he had to worry on that account.
He had to admit that, over the past few days, he’d started having these funny daydreams about Claire socializing with Bernie and Emily, about them becoming closer.
Maybe even sisters-in-law one day.
It was a really good dream.
Nick slid his arm around Claire’s waist. “I’m going to get a beer from the bar. Can I get you a drink?”
“Ooh, yes, please. A Caesar would be great.”
“Done.” He kissed her and left her to mingle with the others. Nick made his way to the bar. After putting in their order, he felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned to see a grinning Louie standing behind him. “Louie, hey, man. Looking good.”
The camera man was wearing a navy-blue suit. Nick didn’t think he’d ever seen him in anything other than cargo shorts and T-shirts from heavy metal concerts.
Louie tugged at his tie. “I know how to clean up when I want to.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m here with Adele.”
Sure enough, Adele had found Claire and was now deep in conversation with the others.
“It’s still going well?”
“You could say that.” Louie rubbed the back of his neck, as if he still couldn’t quite get over it himself. “She’s incredible. I’m going to marry that woman, Nick. You just watch.”
“Wow. Things are progressing.”
“They are. I keep waiting for her to wake up and kick me out, but she seems to like having me around.”
“I’m happy for you, dude.”
“I was wondering, Nick. Have you and Claire figured out how you’re going to handle you being away so much?”
Louie would be traveling with Nick of Time too. He could see why he was asking. “We’re sort of figuring things out as we go, I guess.”
“Talk about timing, huh?”
“Yeah. I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end. For all of us.”
“It will,” said Louie. “We’ll just have to work a little harder, won’t we?”
“You’re probably right.”
The bartender brought over Nick’s drinks, so he returned to Claire and the rest of the group.
Not for the first time, Nick ignored the reality that his departure was becoming more imminent by the hour, and just tried to enjoy the party.
He got a kick out of watching her photographing the other attendees, and was impressed when she showed him some of the images on her camera’s digital display.
Even though the photos hadn’t been blown up yet, it was clear to see she had a talent for capturing certain angles, and she excelled at taking interesting candid shots.
He knew the team would treasure some of those photos.
Once dinner was wrapping up, Michael pulled Nick and Eli aside. “You guys ready?”
Nick excused himself to Claire, so he and his brothers could head up to the podium that had been set up at the front of the room.
Michael spoke into the microphone. “Excuse me, folks. If we could just have your attention for a few minutes. The guys and I just wanted to say a few words.” He scanned the tables. “Where’s Lacey?”
Lacey waved.
“Come on up here,” said Michael.
Her eyes already watering, Lacey joined them, while the crew members clapped and hooted.
“Lacey,” began Michael, “when we started this journey with you, we didn’t know what the hell we were doing.
Me, especially.” He paused, giving the others a chance to laugh.
“I know I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights in our first season. In fact, it’s a miracle we were on the air beyond that first season.
It’s safe to say we owe our success to you.
You went above and beyond, and taught three old dogs a bunch of really cool tricks. ”
Lacey grinned. “You’re not that old.”
Eli took over. “Lacey, you’ve been so patient over the years, so willing to be more than just our director.
You’ve been a good friend, the sort of friend who praises you when you do well, but who also isn’t afraid to tell you when you screwed up.
Your feedback has helped us grow, not just as TV hosts, but as people. ”
“Oh, guys.” Lacey wiped a tear from her eye.
Nick took the mic. “The servers are bringing around some champagne. While the glasses are being filled, I’ll just say a few more words.
Lacey, on behalf of the entire Handymen team, we want to thank you, and also congratulate you on getting a new job with the Create Network.
Your future is going to be so bright, and we will all be cheering you on.
” He then grabbed a couple of things that they’d stashed behind the podium.
He presented Lacey with the bouquet of red roses, as well as a jewelry box. “This is from all of us.”
When Lacey opened the distinctive blue box and saw the sparkly bracelet, she gasped.
“Oh my goodness, it’s beautiful.” She slid it on her wrist. “Thank you all so much. It’s been my honor to work with every single one of you, and I guarantee that if I taught you anything, you taught me even more.
I’m a better person for knowing you all. ”
Nick held up his champagne glass. “To Lacey!”
Everyone stood and held up their glasses, echoing his words.
Nick caught Claire’s eye and held up his glass to her as well.
She smiled and did the same.
Just as he was heading back to his table, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Teagan.
Hey, Nick! We’ve had to make an adjustment to our schedule in Victoria because the homeowner needs to have a medical procedure done. I’ve had to bump everything up by a week. The revised schedule is attached. Let me know when you get this. Thanks!
A week sooner.
That meant one less week with Claire.
Fuck.
How on earth was he going to handle this?
* * * *
Nick was quiet on the way back to his house, strangely quiet.
In fact, he’d clammed up right after doing his toast to Lacey.
Claire hoped his concerns about doing his new show without her hadn’t reappeared.
He’d been saying such nice things about his new director and seemed excited to work with Teagan, but his connection to Lacey was a strong one.
As he parked the car in his driveway, she searched for a way to broach the subject. “It was a nice party. I think Lacey really appreciated what you guys said.”
“Thanks.”
They got out of the car and walked up the stairs to his porch. He flipped through the keys on his keyring, searching for the one to the house. The porchlight illuminated the frown on his face.
“Nick, are you okay?”
He didn’t move for a few seconds. When he turned to her, a strange energy underscored his movements. There was something frantic, and yet hopeful, as he seized a breath. “Teagan texted earlier. I have to leave a week sooner than I thought.”
Claire almost heard the terrible thunk as her heart dropped into her shoes. She’d known this moment was coming, they both had, but a whole seven days sooner?
That meant they only had one week until their relationship would be tested.
She loved Nick, she really did, but there was no denying that this would be a test.
And she’d failed tests before.
His voice was a whisper. “Say something.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her throat grated. Her eyes burned. Her voice might have been a croak.
Do not cry. Do not cry. You knew this would happen. Dammit!
Why did you open yourself up to this heartache?
“Claire.” He grabbed her hand and held it to his chest. “I don’t want to lose you.”
She held her breath in the hopes it would staunch the flood of tears behind her eyes. She’d been so worried about losing him the way she’d lost Arthur, and now she would lose him to time and distance, also killers of relationships.
They would probably give it their best shot, and she had no doubt they’d both try hard to make it last. But she’d attempted a couple of long-distance relationships in the past. Neither of them had worked.
Now, now. This isn’t the same thing, and you know it.
“Come with me.”
“Pardon?”
“Come with me to Victoria.”
“We should go inside and talk about this.”
“Claire. Come with me. Please.”
So we’re going to do this right here on the porch, huh? Okay. “And do what, Nick?”
“Be with me. It could be a great adventure. We could travel together, see new places, experience new things, as a couple.”
“You’ll be working.”
“I get that, but we’d have evenings and weekends, which is a hell of a lot more than what we’ll get otherwise. And you could work on your photography at the same time, build your portfolio. Just think of the things we’ll see.”
“Look, I know the idea of a long-distance relationships freaks both of us out, but we haven’t even tried it. And it won’t be forever.”
“I can’t bear the idea that I won’t get to see you every day.” Nick took a deep breath. “Maybe I shouldn’t go at all. I mean, I still have the contracting business. I can stay here.”
“No.” She was adamant. “I won’t let you do that. I won’t let you give up your dream.” She knew what that was like, and she would never stand in his way.
“Then, please come. Just for a while.”
“Nick, I have commitments.”
“Right. The sanctuary.” His lips thinned. “The thing is, because of the open house, Haven only has a handful of cats right now. The volunteers can easily take care of them.”
“But—”
“David told me something at the open house, something you’ve never mentioned.
He told me he’s offered to buy it from you, more than once.
He said he and his partner would be happy to keep it going, but that you refuse to sell.
I think his words were, ‘I just can’t seem to convince her to let go of it. ’”
Claire’s lips fell open but all the words in her head wouldn’t come out.
“Is that it, Claire? Can you not let go?”
She was a goner as soon as the tears appeared in Nick’s eyes. His beautiful amber eyes, so downturned with sadness.
She’d been so proud of herself in letting go of Arthur’s clothes and her wedding rings. She’d actually been a little cocky when she’d started redecorating her bedroom so Nick would feel at home there.
And yet she hadn’t truly let go of Arthur at all. She’d dug her claws into the one thing that still represented her husband.
She wasn’t sure she knew how to retract them. They seemed fused to Haven, a place that had never been her dream.
Remember how you were going to be a photographer and travel the world?
Mia had been right all those times, and so had David.
She tried to speak, tried to reassure Nick, but knew her words would just sound hollow.
He knew it too. He knew everything.
He held her gaze for one more soul-shattering moment, then stuck his house key in the lock. After turning on the lights, he held the door open for her. “After you. Let’s go to bed. It’s been a long day.”
Still fumbling with her words and thoughts, she went inside with him.
She’d hurt him, and the knowledge sat in her gullet like a stone, cutting off her airway.
Of all the people to hurt. Nick had done nothing but act as her cheerleader, and she’d just stomped on his pom-poms.
They didn’t speak and they didn’t make love that evening.
But they got into bed, and she clung to him.
Claire couldn’t help wondering if it might be the last time.