Chapter 25
Claire cooked up a pan of macaroni and cheese, the stuff from the box with the powdered cheese.
She stirred in milk and butter and some cooked broccoli, which she and Lily both liked.
Occasionally she made it from scratch, but sometimes the instant out of the box was what she craved.
It brought her back to childhood, when she’d happily eat bowls of it.
Lily had always been a picky eater, but like most kids, she loved mac and cheese and preferred the boxed version over the homemade.
Claire poured a generous amount into a bowl for Lily and then took a smaller amount for herself.
She wasn’t sure if they’d be ordering food at the Rose and Crown or not, and she knew she couldn’t wait until seven to eat.
Lily inhaled her pasta, put her bowl in the sink, and ran out the door when Teddy pulled up. Claire smiled as she watched her go. Lily and Teddy had been pretty much inseparable since the prom. Lily had informed her that they were working on new songs together and were eager to get them uploaded.
Claire helped herself to a bit more pasta, then did the dishes and put the leftovers away.
She thought about changing but decided to wear what she’d had on all day—black yoga pants and a long dressy pink top that had ruffles around the hem.
She’d met with the doctor again last week, and she was pleased with the amount of weight she’d gained and encouraged her to keep doing whatever she was doing.
Claire had made it clear in a previous conversation with Cody that she couldn’t imagine dating anyone until long after her divorce was finalized and the baby was born.
But still, she wanted to look good. She checked her makeup and added a bit more eyeliner, blush, and her favorite rosy pink lipstick.
She ran a brush through her hair and checked the time. Cody should be here any minute.
She heard the knock on the door as she walked into the living room. He was right on time. Claire opened the door, and Cody stepped inside.
He looked around and saw the ocean view. “Nice spot.”
“Thanks. It was my grandparents’ house. The home I grew up in had a very distant view. Nothing like this. My mother moved here a few years ago.”
He nodded. “Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready.” Claire grabbed her purse, followed him out the door, and locked it behind her.
Cody opened the passenger door of his big brown truck, and Claire climbed in.
His truck was neat and very masculine. She noticed he had a pile of wood in the back of the truck, and his fishing license hung from the rearview mirror.
Parking downtown would have been impossible, the traffic was so heavy with all the tourists in for the weekend, but he parked at the shop. It was an easy walk over to Water Street where the Rose and Crown was located. Stephanie and her husband, Ben, were waiting outside.
She smiled when she saw Claire and Cody. “Perfect timing. We just got here.”
They headed inside, and even though it was busy, they didn’t have to wait too long for a table. Cody got them a round of drinks, and Claire had just taken her first sip of her soda and cranberry when they were called and led to a table.
“My niece is a server here. I gave her the heads-up that we were coming in. We’re in her section, which is also near where the band will be playing,” Ben said.
A few minutes after they were seated, a bubbly young woman with red hair in a ponytail came to their table. Ben introduced her as Cora, his niece. “She’s in her second year at Boston College,” he said proudly.
Cora told them the specials. Claire was surprised that she was still a bit hungry and ordered a Caesar salad with chicken. The others all got burgers and an order of nachos for the table to share.
Conversation was easy and fun over dinner.
Claire had a few nachos and ate most of her salad.
The burgers looked good, and the others raved about them, but she found her stomach flipping a bit at the idea of eating red meat.
Normally she enjoyed it, but as of about a week ago, she suddenly had a strong aversion to it.
It had happened with her first pregnancy too and lasted the entire time until she had the baby and suddenly craved it again.
“Didn’t you date that woman walking toward us in the red dress?” Stephanie asked Cody.
Claire followed her gaze. It was Sally and a guy Claire didn’t recognize.
Cody nodded. “Yes. That’s Sally and her ex.”
Sally stopped when they reached their table and said hello to Cody. “This is my boyfriend, Peter,” she introduced him, and Cody went around the table introducing everyone. Sally smiled when Cody introduced Claire. “We met at your shop. I need to get back in there one of these days.”
“Nice to see you again.”
Sally seemed more relaxed and happier than the first time Claire had met her. Sally and Peter drifted off to sit at the bar, and they turned their attention back to their conversation.
“How is it going at the shop? I bet this is a busy weekend,” Stephanie said.
“So busy. Lily came in and helped me today because it has been getting busier and busier and Cody warned me this weekend might be intense.”
“I didn’t stop at all today. I didn’t get a chance to visit Claire until closing.”
“Cody was telling me he likes sharing the space and having someone to chat with when it is slow,” Stephanie said.
Claire nodded. “It is nice. Beginning of the week is much slower, so there’s time to visit then.”
“I’ve been trying out some new recipes. Claire’s been my guinea pig,” Cody said.
“A very appreciative one. Cody’s a good cook. That paella was wonderful.”
Stephanie looked intrigued. “You made paella? I remember you made that for Christmas Eve one year, and it was amazing.”
“I remember that,” Ben said. “You should give Stephanie the recipe. Better yet, invite us over.” He winked at his wife and explained to Claire, “Stephanie hates to cook.”
Stephanie laughed. “It’s true, I do. But I’m very good at ordering takeout, and Ben does a great job with the grill.”
“Well, it’s a long way off, but I could make it again for Christmas Eve. Just remind me when it gets closer.”
“I definitely will,” Stephanie said.
Claire thought ahead to Christmas, which seemed so far away.
By then, the baby would be here. It was hard to imagine, and with all the changes she’d had already this year, she knew the arrival of the baby would be the biggest change by far.
She was ready for it though. At least this time, she had experience on her side, and it wouldn’t feel as new and overwhelming.
Plus she had her mother’s support, and she would need that, especially the first few months.
One advantage of having the baby in the late fall was that the winter months were slow and it would work out fine having the shop closed then.
She could spend time with the baby and still do a little work with the online store possibly.
So far, that hadn’t been busy yet, not with actual sales.
They mostly had emails coming through the site asking for information.
Claire thought that maybe by the end of the summer, she might have more traffic to the site and could do some advertising to boost it further.
“Claire, how are you feeling?” Stephanie asked once she ordered cheesecake to share and Cora cleared their plates.
“Good. I’m into my fourth month now, so I’m actually feeling great.”
“That’s great.”
Claire laughed. “Yeah, second trimester is fun.”
Cora returned a few minutes later and set the slice of cheesecake in front of Stephanie along with four forks so they could all have a few bites. It was topped with raspberry sauce and whipped cream. Stephanie encouraged them all to dig in, and she didn’t have to ask twice.
“I’ve heard this band a few times, and they’re really good,” Cody said. “They play a nice mix of rock and country.”
“I talked to Rachel earlier and asked if they wanted to join us, and she was bummed that they already had plans. She said she’s heard them too and thought they were great,” Stephanie said.
Claire looked around the table. “I’m excited to hear them. But I’m just happy to be out. I haven’t gotten out much since I’ve been back, other than for book club.”
Cody grinned. “Glad you came out. We’ll have to do it again soon—before you really get busy,” he teased.
A few minutes later, the band started to play.
They played a fun mix of music, and after a few songs, some people got up and danced, but the place was so busy that the dance floor was small and filled up fast. They watched from a comfortable distance and stayed for both sets.
The band took a short break in the middle, and they ordered another round of drinks for the table.
By this time, the dinner rush was over, and most people were there to hear the music.
Claire sipped her soda and cranberry and enjoyed herself. The music made it hard to hold much of a conversation, but they still managed to chat a little and laugh a lot. Cody had been taking Sundays off, but Claire had a feeling he might work, as it was a holiday weekend.
“Yeah, it will be too busy for me to justify taking the day and going fishing. Unfortunately. But after this weekend, I’ll go back to being closed on Sundays.”
They settled up the bill and left when the band finished up for the night. It was close to eleven by then, and Claire was trying not to yawn. But it was getting harder to fight it off. She was usually in bed by now, and the long day had definitely caught up with her.
They said goodbye to Stephanie and Ben and walked back to Cody’s truck. In the darkness of the truck, Claire yawned more than once and didn’t think Cody saw it, but he did as they pulled up to her house.
“I’m beat too. That was a good time, but I’m ready for bed. I’m sure you are too.”
“I’m tired, but it was worth it. Thanks for including me tonight. That was fun.”
“Anytime. I’ll let you know when we go out again.”