Chapter Six
Claire sighed. Nothing like a day shopping to clear her head, and boy, could it use a little clearing. Her dreams had been far less erotic than intimate, which was infinitely more disturbing to her. Sex she could deal with, but feelings were something else. That was not a road she was willing to go down again with Conor.
“Earth to Claire,” Anna said from across the table. They had gotten great seats at a fantastic place for lunch, and she was blowing it by not even paying attention to what she was eating.
“Sorry,” she said. “Was just lost in thought.”
“Hmm.” Anna cocked a brow at her. “That seems to be happening a lot recently.”
Claire frowned. Was that true? She thought she’d mostly kept things under control, but maybe that hadn’t been enough.
She sighed. Anna was going to find out sooner or later.
“I’m going on a dinner date with Conor,” she said.
Anna stared at her with shock. “But I thought you had a bad history.”
Claire shrugged. “We do.”
“And you’re still going out?” Anna took a big bite of her cheesecake.
“We’re being watched,” she said. “He’s got a job, and if I’m playing along, we’re all safe.”
Anna stopped mid-bite and put her fork back on her plate.
“And if you don’t?”
“He’s not threatening me.” She sighed and looked down at her untouched cheesecake. “If anything, he’s trying to find a way to save me.”
“So, is the dinner for show or for real?” Anna went to sweep her long blond hair behind her ear, only seeming to remember she’d put it up into a bun at the last second.
Claire shrugged. “I don’t quite know.”
Anna stared at her for a long time before leaning forward.
“What happened between you?” she asked quietly.
It was something Claire had asked herself many times, far too many times.
“It was years ago now. We were young and stupid and very much in love.” She couldn’t stop the sad smile. “His sister was sick. His mother was ready to give up. I wanted them to move in with me. My family had the money, and I was in a good position to help them out.”
Claire looked to Anna. It all seemed so far away now.
“He didn’t want my help. Said he didn’t want his sister to know the things that I grew up knowing.” The words still stung, as if they'd been said hours and not years ago. “We argued. It wasn’t going to do him any good letting her think she was living in a world where nothing bad ever happened.” She snorted. “But what did I know? In the end, his mother left for Ireland, leaving them with a mountain of problems and very little money.”
“Seems to me like that would be a good time to take you up on your offer,” Anna said.
Claire bit back the tears threatening to well up.
“Or break up with his girlfriend and concentrate on making money,” she said.
“Wait.” Anna held up a hand. “He broke up with you because his damn pride wouldn’t let him take the help?”
She nodded.
“So, I can add stupid to his list of insults then,” Anna ground out.
Claire laughed. It was good to get this off her chest. For so long she felt like she was the bad guy.
“I don’t think it’s been easy for him,” she said softly. “Many years have passed.”
“Look,” Anna sighed. “I think he’s an idiot, but he’s not a bad person. Sometimes people make the wrong choice.”
She nodded. It was true, and he had been very young and trying to deal with problems well beyond his age.
“One thing's for sure.” Anna grinned at her. “You need to find an outfit that will have him wishing he had played his cards right before.”
Claire winced. She was still trying not to think about the night before, but if she showed up decked out, it would be hard not to think about it.
“I’m sure I have something,” she started but stopped when Anna gave her the stink eye.
“Honey, we’ve all got something, but you need something special. Something that will make him sit up and take notice.”
“I do think he has that problem,” Claire mumbled.
Anna shot her a confused look but brushed it off.
“No fighting me on this,” she said. “You need this.”
Claire sighed. Maybe she did need this. Things weren’t exactly going her way with people out to get her and her ex suddenly back in her life.
“You’re right,” she said. “The more leg, the better.”
“That’s the spirit,” Anna laughed. “Now, get into your cheesecake. You’re going to need the strength.”
Claire laughed. She had forgotten how much fun it was to have someone to spend time with. She loved her family, but they weren’t exactly loaded down with women.
“Thanks,” she said quietly as she took a bite of the dessert.
Anna shook her head. “This is easy to fix.” She sighed. “Some things are just harder all around.”
“Jason?” Claire offered.
Anna looked up to her, and for the first time, she realized how much her friend was hurting.
“I just don’t know what to do,” Anna said. “Every time I see him, he just seems further and further away.”
“Well, maybe it’s just the new case he took on,” Claire said, hopeful that her friend wasn’t being played.
“Maybe.” Anna looked down for a moment and seemed to be collecting herself. When she looked back up, all the tension from before seemed to vanish. “Let’s get to shopping. We don’t have much time.”
* * *
He was late. Only about twenty minutes, but that would be just enough. Conor sighed. That prick Ennis had him running errands all day, and if he hadn’t known better, he’d think he did it on purpose.
Conor glanced at his phone. The text he sent earlier remained unanswered. That either meant she was still getting ready or so pissed she didn’t want to write back.
He pulled up outside her apartment and found her waiting at the door.
Pissed. Definitely pissed. Standing there in her slinky red dress, there was no chance she wasn’t pissed. Her black hair was curled and up. It was a great look really, but the deep frown on her face let him know what kind of night he had in store.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he neared her.
Claire crossed her arms and stared him down. “I just wish I would have known your seven meant seven thirty.”
“Ennis had me running—”
Claire stuck up a hand. Her green eyes narrowed in annoyance. “You know what? I don’t even want to know. It’s always excuses. Let’s just call it a night.”
He placed his hand on the door and leaned in. The floral scent from her shampoo wafted up to him, and he breathed in deep.
“Wait,” he said. “We need to be seen.”
She froze. He didn’t want to use that as his excuse, but Conor knew it was the only way she would even consider going out.
“Fine,” she said and turned around.
He watched her walk in front of him and just hoped he’d be able to shake off the bad start.
“You look nice,” he said as he helped her in.
Claire kept her eyes facing the other direction. “Thanks,” she said flatly.
Conor shut the door and sighed. This was going to be the longest night of his life.
* * *
Claire seethed inside. Not only was he late, but they had lost their reservation, all for that asshat Ennis.
She snorted as she picked at her salad. Sub-par food for a sub-par date.
“Is it good?” Conor asked.
She looked up and stared at him. At this moment, if she could, she would beat him to a bloody pulp. It was like he had no idea the amount of time she spent getting ready, working to look nice. The red dress she had bought had been perfect. Flirty without being overly sexual. She’d even taken the time to curl her hair and put it up in pins.
“It’s exactly what I would expect,” she said.
Conor froze, and she knew her words had finally broken through the layer of nice he was playing.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he said.
Claire pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Nothing. Just that this salad pretty much sums up our date.”
Conor raised a brow.
“Poorly timed and poorly put together,” she snapped.
Conor sat forward. “You know, I’ve about had enough of the princess attitude.” His brown eyes narrowed.
Claire frowned. “Is that so?”
“Cut the crap, Claire.” He leaned back. “I was running errands for a man I can’t stand in a job I don’t want. I’m trying to protect my family and the woman I care about from a madman who could snap at any time. And on top of it all, I’ve got the worry that some day, I might have to have a gun fight with my best friends because it’s the only way to save the two people that mean the most to me.”
He tossed his napkin on the table and stood.
“You know what? You’re right.” He looked at her in such a way that even the gunk on her shoe didn’t seem low enough. “I’m done with dinner.”
Conor walked over to the waitress, and within moments, she brought out a doggy bag.
“I’m sorry your husband isn’t feeling well,” the waitress said as she handed over the bag.
“Oh,” Claire stuttered. “He’s not my husband.”
The waitress stared longingly after Conor. “He can be mine then.”
Shocked, she took her bag and hurried away.
Claire was surprised to find Conor waiting at the door. He held it open for her as they walked out in silence.
When he held the door open to the car, she tried to catch his eye, but this time, she was the one being shunned, not that she could really blame him. She had been too harsh and hadn’t meant to be so cruel.
She started to open her mouth once he started the car but closed it when he turned the radio on loud. The moment they shared last night was gone, and she didn’t know if they would ever get that back.
They listened to the music without talking. At least it filled the silence he would likely be giving her.
The car came to a stop, and she was surprised to find herself back at home. Conor jumped out of the car and helped her out.
“I can make it inside,” she said quietly.
Conor slammed the car door. “We’re being watched,” he said. “I’ll take you in.”
She glanced around. Nothing seemed out of place, but she didn't doubt him.
He ushered her through the front door and to the elevator. Cold silence filled the space between them, and she searched for something to say.
The elevator dinged before she could. They exited and walked to her apartment.
They stood outside her door for a moment.
“Do you want to come in?” she offered.
Conor shook his head. “I should get home.”
She sighed mentally. This was, without a doubt, her worst date ever. Claire opened the door and stepped in. She gave a small wave and shook the doggy bag.
“Thanks for dinner.”
Conor nodded and turned away.
Claire shut the door and walked into the kitchen to put the bag in the fridge. Despite the lack of dinner, her stomach wasn’t doing so great. She put the food on the shelf and sighed.
“Worst date ever,” she said aloud. It only seemed to hurt slightly less.
This was her fault. He had been late, but she was looking for something to be angry with. If she had approached the situation just a tad differently, things might have been different.
Claire turned to the door. Would it seem desperate to go running after him?
She stepped quickly. It didn’t matter if it seemed desperate. Claire couldn’t just let it go like this. She reached the door and swung it wide. Surprised, she stood stock still. Conor stood in front of her door, his brown eyes wide with his own apparent surprise.
“I’m sor—” Conor spoke first, but she cut him off. Her mouth came down hard over his as she launched herself into his arms.
Claire pulled back.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I was being silly, and it wasn’t that big a deal.”
“God, this is so not how I wanted our date to go,” Conor said as he peppered her neck with kisses.
Claire rolled her head back as he made his way to the other side.
“I don’t know,” Claire said quietly. “This is a pretty nice way to end it.”
The rumble from his chuckle vibrated through her own chest. Part of her loved that he was holding her, but the other part wondered if she might be too heavy. She ran her fingers over the straining muscles in his arms and smiled. No, judging by those arms, he could do it all day if not longer.
Conor stepped in and turned to close the door.
“Sure of yourself?” Claire raised a brow at him.
“You’re crazy if you think I’d leave after that kiss.” He grinned at her, as her cheeks warmed.
He set her on the floor.
“First,” he said. “We’re going to eat our dinner. Then, I’m going to show you all the things I wanted to last night.”
Claire swallowed. The date had just done a total one-eighty, and she didn’t know if she could even keep up.