Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CLAIRE
Claire shuffled papers, trying to work her desk into some semblance of order. She didn’t make much progress, a call from Molly lighting up her cell phone.
“I can give you five minutes, Mol, but that’s it,” Claire answered.
"That’s all you need, to shower me with endless praise," Molly said with an upbeat tone.
"It was a wonderful party, Mol. You nailed every detail. And Hamish loved every minute of it. I’m so proud of you.”
"Not the party. Me."
"What about you?" Claire asked.
"I didn't bug you about Jay the whole time. I held my tongue and was the perfect hostess."
Claire laughed. "That's because you know I wouldn't have given you much anyway."
"One question,” Molly said. “Did you sleep together?"
"Yes,” Claire said after a long pause.
"Hot damn, I knew it!" Molly squealed. "I knew when you two strolled across the dance floor and made your exit that you weren't coming back. So where did you go? Your room or his?"
"Actually, we were in the conservatory."
"The conservatory?" Molly paused. "Wasn't that a little… uncomfortable?"
"He took me there because he’d arranged a private mini concert—for just the two of us—with a little help from Hamish.”
“Oh my God, that’s so romantic. And that was it?”
"No,” Claire said. “We went for a long walk around the grounds. Danced by the reflecting pool. Even spied on you and Hamish on the patio."
"Wait. You spied on us?" Molly yelped.
"We did. And I have just one question: How did it feel to be kissed by your teenage crush on the very patio where you fell in love with him?" Claire asked.
Molly sighed. "Completely surreal."
"You two seem really happy together."
"We're having fun,” Molly said. “I'm trying to play it cool. This is Hamish Fielding, remember? He has more flavors than Baskin-Robbins. And you know my track record."
"You know what's going to happen. Because you're not in total hot pursuit, he's going to want you that much more."
"I wouldn't start calling me Auntie Molly just yet. Now, I don't know how you've managed to do it, but once again you somehow turned the conversation from you back to me."
"You want the details?" Claire asked.
"Yes—and quick. My five minutes are almost gone."
"If you must know, we did in fact sleep together… in the library."
Molly whistled. "Interesting. Intellectually sexy. I like it. Lying in the dark, surrounded by all those great works of literature."
"Actually, it happened before the party—after we returned from our walk," Claire said.
"Afternoon delight?" Molly shrieked.
"Yep. Didn't even bother to lock the door. We were lying there, staring into each other's eyes, all damp from the rain, and it just happened."
"The library, huh?" Molly paused. "It sounds like something straight out of Clue: Mr. Avery. In the Library. With his pipe."
"Molly, stop!"
"Hamish and I haven't christened that room yet. I'm both impressed and surprised. It's not like you to be so bold."
"Molly, surely you know I'm teasing you," Claire said.
"What do you mean?" Molly asked.
"I mean I wasn't bold. We christened nothing. Nothing happened. We fell asleep in the library and that's all. He was on one sofa and I was on another. We read for a while and talked, then we both fell asleep."
"You're kidding, right?" Molly asked, her tone flat.
"Do you honestly think I'd have my first full-blown intimate encounter with him in broad daylight? In a house full of people? Including my father?”
"So, you didn't sleep with him?”
"In the biblical sense? No. I'm sorry to disappoint you," Claire said.
Molly blew out a breath. "I'm not disappointed, exactly. It's just that I'm anxious for you to, you know…”
"I know, Molly. And I love the fact that you're so concerned about my sexual well-being."
"I just don't understand how two people—two incredibly gorgeous, unattached people—have been able to be so resistant."
"It hasn't been easy, believe me."
"So, it's more a timing issue?"
"Exactly,” Claire said.
Molly sighed in defeat. "Alright. Holler at me later and let me know about lunch. The boys are going skeet shooting today, so I'll be on my own most of the afternoon."
"I will,” Claire said. “I know my father is thrilled to be spending time out there with Hamish."
"They're thick as thieves, those two."
"Well, don't let them get into too much trouble,” Claire cautioned.
Molly laughed. "I'm sure it's too late for that."
Isaac's meeting wrapped up surprisingly fast for a Monday, thus Claire arrived first. She ordered two waters and two glasses of wine, her eyes fixed on the door. The closing line of Jay’s most recent email sat front and center in her mind.
With news of a big assignment on her desk, she’d have to make the most of their time together.
Jay entered the restaurant and spotted Claire. She stood to greet him, her insides already burning in anticipation of his touch. His hands rested on her hips, and he pressed his lips gently to hers.
"Now that we've spent the weekend together, I think we can forego the polite kiss-on-the-hand thing, don't you?" he asked.
"Definitely," Claire said in agreement.
A server approached to take their order.
Their meals were delivered and for the next hour, they drifted into themselves, only breaking eye contact when forced to by the waitstaff.
They replayed the events of their weekend in the country, laughing at the non-stop comedic stylings of Harry and Hamish.
"What sort of trouble are they getting into today?"
Claire rolled her eyes. “Skeet shooting.”
"And Molly’s there to supervise?” he asked.
“Someone needs to be. She took off the whole week.”
“When does your father fly out again?"
"Well, he was going to fly out later this week, but Hamish has convinced him to stay for a while longer. They haven’t spent good, quality time together in years. I'm sure they'll have a ball, as long as he doesn't overdo it. I might actually fly back with him."
"To Dallas?" Jay asked, surprised.
"Isaac’s sending me to the New York office to work on a project, not this week but next. I just found out this morning. I’m going to see if Anna can get me on my father’s flight so we can be together—at least until his connection at JFK."
"So, you’re definitely going to New York?" he asked.
"Looks like it."
Jay clapped his hands together."That's perfect."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, it's just that… well, I wanted to wait and surprise you." He reached inside his jacket and pulled a folded sheet of newsprint into view. He held it to his forehead with a grin.
"Claire Jordan. Nancy Chen. And me," he announced, a touch too loud.
"What are you doing?" she asked, glancing around to see if anyone heard.
"Carnac the Magnificent. From the old Johnny Carson show, remember? Just play along." He cleared his throat and repeated his words with the folded paper still resting against his forehead. "Claire Jordan. Nancy Chen. And me.”
She shook her head. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"Three people who will be in the Big Apple at the exact same time." He pushed the paper in her direction.
Claire unfolded and examined the page—an article about the famed pianist's final tour performance in New York City.
"Wait. You got tickets to Nancy Chen? In New York?” she asked, her face glowing with excitement.
“Backstage passes too. Had the package shipped to Rob’s house.” Jay waggled his brows. “Interested?”
"Are you kidding?” Claire’s eyes sparkled. “It’s my fangirl dream."