Chapter 25 #2
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“You will. Bright and early. Sleep well, Claire.”
“Have you heard an update from Sloane yet?” Grammy asked.
It was almost a month later, and Claire and Marsha were having Sunday dinner at the assisted living. Lily couldn’t join them because she and Kenzie were working a shift together at the Juice Bar.
Claire sighed. “I have a non-update. Sloane called on Friday to let me know that Ellis seems to be dragging his feet. His attorney hasn’t gotten the requested paperwork to Sloane yet so she can get the forensic investigation started. She did warn me that it could take a while, unfortunately.”
“Hmm. I suspect Sloane may be right about Ellis. If he’s avoiding getting documents to Sloane, he’s probably hiding something,” Grammy said.
“That would be so disappointing,” Marsha said.
“Very disappointing.” Claire agreed. She hated to think that Ellis could be trying to cheat her, but at this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
“Well, look on the bright side,” Grammy began.
“If he is hiding money or assets, they will find them, and you’ll get half.
He won’t like it, but that’s what happens.
” She lifted her Manhattan and took a sip.
“So on to happier subjects. I hear they’re having chicken parmesan tonight.
I recommend it.” They all ordered the chicken parm, and halfway through dinner, Grammy surprised Claire.
“I hear you’re dating the man you rent the shop from.
Your mother says he’s quite good-looking. Well done.”
Claire set her fork down and shot her mother a look. “I am not dating him. Cody and I are just friends.”
Grammy looked disappointed. “Oh, I must have heard wrong. I thought your mother said you’ve gone out several times.”
“We have. But as friends. And the first time, it wasn’t just the two of us. His sister and her husband went too, and we saw a band.”
“That’s nice. And you had dinner?” Grammy lifted her Manhattan to take a sip, watching Claire closely.
“Well, yes. But it wasn’t romantic. Definitely not a date.
It was nice just to get out and do something.
Another time, we went for Mexican after work to his favorite place, Millie’s.
Lily raves about it—that’s where she and Teddy like to go—and I hadn’t been yet.
It was very good. Oh, and we went to an art show last Thursday night.
A friend of Stephanie’s is an artist, Kristin Hodges, and she had an opening at a gallery downtown, so we walked over.
She’s very talented.” Claire felt like she was babbling away as she tried to convince both her mother and grandmother that she and Cody were definitely not dating.
Judging by the looks on their faces, she was failing miserably.
“It’s okay to date, Claire. I would love to see you find someone,” her mother said.
“But we’re really just friends. I’m not ready to date anyone. I can’t even think about that. I’m about to have a baby. My baby bump is starting to pop, and I’m going to be huge soon,” Claire protested.
Grammy raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be silly. Pregnant people go on dates all the time. It’s a great time to meet someone. And you can say you’re just friends, but in my experience, if he’s spending time with you like that, it may not be a date to you—but it’s on his mind.”
“I really don’t think so, Grammy. I’ve told Cody that I’m not ready to date anyone. He knows that.”
Her grandmother nodded. “Sure, honey, but it works for him too. He gets to take you out and date you without the pressure of it being called a date. If he keeps doing it and you like it, just know you can change your mind at any time.”
Claire smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. For now anyway, I’m happy with the way things are. Cody’s a good friend, and I enjoy his company.”
“And that’s a good thing.” Grammy looked pleased to hear it.
None of them could finish their meals, so they had their leftovers boxed up. But Grammy still wanted dessert.
“They’ll help me eat the Mississippi mud pie,” she told their server.
He returned a few minutes later with tea for all of them and a slice of the mud pie, which was creamy coffee ice cream over a chocolate cookie crust, topped with hot fudge, crushed toffee, and whipped cream. It was decadent, and Claire happily ate a good portion of it.
When they finished, they walked Grammy to her apartment and said their goodbyes.
In the car on the way home, Claire brought up Cody. “Did you really tell Grammy you thought we were dating?”
Marsha laughed. “What do you think? Of course not. I just mentioned that you’d been spending time with him and went out a few times. I’m fairly certain I said as friends. But your grandmother hears what she wants to hear.”
Claire laughed. Grammy was a character.
“She may have a point though,” Marsha said. “I mean that’s how things started with Warren and me. We were friends for years. I just wouldn’t rule it out. Keep the possibility open to change your mind at some point.”
But Claire was still in denial. “It’s just not something I’ve remotely considered.
It’s not Cody. He’s great. It’s just not the right time for me to date anyone.
I honestly don’t know when it will be the right time.
I’ll have the baby and then be home for the winter with a newborn. It just seems impossible.”
“Well, I wouldn’t give it another thought, honey. Don’t worry about what your grandmother said. Just live your life. Make a new friend with Cody. Enjoy your shop and all your friends and family here. Take things one day at a time, and don’t stress too much about the future.”
Claire relaxed a little. “Thanks, Mom. That’s what I intend to do.”