Chapter 7
Julian waited until Claire’s van was out of view before going inside. “It’s just us guys now,” he said to Tank, as the French bulldog wiggled in his arms to be put down. Once the door was shut tightly behind them, he set the dog on the floor. He had expected Tank to run into the living room in search of a toy. Instead, the Frenchie just stood there staring at the door. “Don’t worry. She’ll be back tomorrow.” He gave the dog a little nudge, but it did no good. Tank was stiff as a statue. Julian walked toward the patio, hoping he would follow. But the dog didn’t move. His eyes were still fixed on the front door.
Julian checked his watch for the time. Five thirty. He had some ground beef in the refrigerator that he’d planned to use for meatballs. Might as well make them now. Maybe the smell would get Tank to come into the kitchen.
He mixed the meat with bread crumbs, minced onion, eggs, butter, and seasoning, then rolled the mixture into balls. After that he heated some olive oil in a large skillet and began frying them in batches. “Come on, Tank,” he said, using his hand to wave the delicious aroma out into the hall. “Don’t these smell great?” But the dog still didn’t move. “Well, it’s your loss,” he said, filling a pot with water. While he waited for it to boil, he carried Tank into the kitchen. “Isn’t this better than staring at a door?” He put the dog on the floor. Tank’s response was to go back to maintain his position in the hall. “Okay. If that’s what you want to do, that’s your choice.”
Julian opened a box of ziti and then poured the pasta into the water on the stove. While he waited for that to cook, he mixed the meatballs with a marinara sauce, then stirred the drained pasta into it. Next, he transferred everything to a baking dish, topping it off with shredded mozzarella and some grated Parmesan cheese. The last thing to do was stick it in the oven to bake.
“Maybe you don’t like meatballs,” he said, glancing back over at the dog. ‘I’ll bet you’ll come for your food. You’ve got to be hungry.” But that didn’t work either. All Tank did was give a quick look at the food bowl Julian had set on the kitchen floor.
“That’s it. I give up. You win. Let’s get Claire back here.” Julian took the paper out of his pocket that he’d written her number on and then dialed her cell phone. She answered after two rings. “Tank hasn’t moved since you left.”
He heard her quick intake of breath. “What do you mean? Hasn’t moved from where?”
“From the front door. He’s been staring at it ever since you left. He won’t eat his food. I even tried tempting him with meatballs. Nothing has worked. You said to call if I needed you. Well, I need you, and so does Tank.”
“I’ll be right there,” she said before hanging up the phone.
Claire arrived as Julian was taking the baked ziti and meatballs out of the oven. “You’re just in time for dinner.”
“Good,” she replied. “Because I didn’t get a chance to eat mine. You called right when I sat down.” Tank was running around her legs, showing no sign of being depressed. “He looks to be in good spirits now.” She laughed.
“That’s because you’re here. You may have to take up residence in my spare room.”
“Not even a possibility.”
Julian smiled. “Somehow I thought you’d say that.” He picked up the dog food bowl to mix the bloated kibble with a spoon, and then set it back down on the floor. Tank immediately ran over to it and began eating. He quirked a brow at Claire. “See. Your presence is magic.”
“I’ll bet you say that to lots of women.”
There was a playfulness to her mood tonight that he hadn’t seen before, and he liked it. “Only ones that can get my dog to eat. Speaking of food, I’m starving.” He stuck a serving spoon into the baked ziti then took two plates from out of the cabinet and handed her one. “Help yourself.”
After their plates were full of food, he led the way into the dining room. Tank was right on their heels. He set his plate down, but before taking a seat, he went back into the kitchen for some wine. He came out with his favorite pinot noir and two glasses that had been crafted to draw out its finest flavors.
Dinner was much more enjoyable with a guest. Especially, one as lovely as Claire. The conversation flowed easily, and when she spoke about her job in New York, her eyes had a sheen of purpose. “It’s so obvious that you love what you do.”
She took a sip of her wine before answering. “How could I not? Animals love unconditionally and never intentionally hurt you.”
He wasn’t sure if that statement was directed at him, but this seemed like the perfect time to clear up whatever misunderstanding had occurred between them back in high school. “Claire, I’m not sure what I did when we were teenagers to make you dislike me, but I’d like the opportunity to apologize for it, so please enlighten me.”
Her mouth tightened, making it evident that this subject bothered her. “It’s not one thing that you did. It’s that every time you saw me, you made fun of me, and that really hurt my feelings. It was bad enough that I felt unattractive next to Gracie, and your teasing only made it worse.”
His chest tightened. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. It was just something he used to do back then when he was stupid and immature. “I’m so sorry, Claire. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about yourself. If I could take back the things I said, I would in a heartbeat. And I don’t know if this will help any, but that was how I behaved as a silly teenager. I made fun of girls. Maybe that was my way of getting attention. It wasn’t right, but it’s in the past, and I can’t change that. But I sure would be grateful if you’d put it in the past too and try to see me for the man I am today.”
The way her steady stare bore into him made him want to look away, but if he did, she might take it to mean he was being insincere, and that’s the last thing he wanted her to think.
“I can see that you’re nothing like that boy, and I’m willing to accept your apology. I had a nice time with you earlier today and again tonight, so let’s not talk about what happened years ago. I’m glad you brought it up, though, so we could put it to rest.”
She met his smile and the hand that he offered her across the table. When he wrapped his fingers around her smooth, soft skin, there was a tingling in the pit of his stomach. His feelings for Claire were growing stronger by the minute. Without overthinking what he was about to do, he got up and gathered her into his arms. Her soft curves molded into his body, and his hands locked against her spine. He could feel her relaxing against his cushioning embrace. She wound her arms around his back, and he felt her warm, moist breath against his neck, causing his heart to race. His mouth covered hers hungrily. Her lips were like velvet and tasted like berries, and when she kissed him back, it sent spirals of ecstasy through him. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this way before from just one kiss. And because he was greedy, he demanded another, and another after that, until his mouth was burning with fire.
When their lips parted, he kept his arms around her. He could feel that she was a little unsteady on her feet, indicating that she had been moved by the intimacy of their kisses as much as he had been. They stood like that for some time, locked in each other’s arms, until Tank tried to nuzzle his way between them.
“I should get going and let you guys get settled for the night,” Claire said softly. “Any idea where Tank’s going to sleep?”
Julian cocked a brow at her. “Now that’s a silly question.”
“Once he’s in your bed, you’ll never get him out.” She laughed.
“That’s okay. I don’t intend to. If I ever wind up sharing it with anyone else, they’re going to have to love him as much as I do.” His pointed stare was directed at Claire, and there was no missing the pink tint to her cheeks.
“I’ll see you two in the morning,” she said while bending down to kiss the top of Tank’s head.
After she left, it wasn’t just the dog that was staring at the door. Julian stood there too in a dreamy daze, trying to figure out what had transpired between them tonight.