Aiken

“Hey there, good boy.” I rubbed the top of Smitty’s head with the hand that held a dozen purple roses, a giant dog bone in my other.

“Richards, where are you?” I set the flowers on the counter and threw my parka over a chair. Music floated from the second floor. “Got something for you too, tough guy.” I handed over the bone.

“Coming…I’m zippering my dress.” Claire’s voice carried through the hallway. Immediately, she had my full attention.

“Why didn’t you say so?”

She came into the kitchen in a tight red dress with a low-cut V-neck and a high slit on the leg.

“Whoa, maybe we should’ve done takeout?”

“No way, we’ve been in for nights…and before that, I was in for…forever. I’m looking forward to getting out.”

We’d flown home on New Year’s Eve, quickly collected Smitty from the kennel, ordered Chinese, and rung in the New Year like horny young lovers.

Claire was all business come the new semester. She was teaching an additional section of her research class and getting involved with the preschool again. With that came mentoring four additional graduate students.

I’d picked up two more websites. One for a local bed-and-breakfast and the other a large feed and surplus chain. Between new and old clients and discovering clues about my mom, Claire and I mostly had our evenings.

But those nights and weekends were ours to do as we pleased. Mostly, that meant staying in, tucked in each other’s arms. With clothes or without.

I tried to hide my smile.

Claire was living again.

Getting out, doing more stuff with work, having fun.

Thanks to me.

The only thing she was still stuck on was this house.

Since we’d returned from Pops’ place, I’d spent almost every night at Claire’s. We’d spent two or three nights at my house, but she liked hers, and honestly, I didn’t care. I wanted only to be with her. Location was insignificant.

And she’d gone through enough transition.

“Here.” She turned around and lifted her hair so I could zip her, when all I wanted was to unzip her.

We were in a weird state of semi-cohabitation—running, eating, fucking, not discussing what was next.

I knew better than to force or pressure Claire for more. Cleaning out Abby’s room had been enough change for a while. Though, I was getting close to wanting way more. Her wanting to go out instead of stay in was a good sign.

At least, I’d take it that way.

“Looks good.” I squeezed her ass. “Good enough to eat.”

Yanking her hair, I bit her neck. She moaned.

Sucking on her earlobe, I whispered, “Got you flowers.”

“I got you something too.”

She turned in my arms with a smirk on her face. “But it has to wait until we’re back from dinner.”

“Oh, does it now?”

My lips gravitated toward hers. “Love you, Richards. Happy Valentine’s Day and happy birthday,” I mumbled the last part.

“You said you weren’t going to mention the second, farm boy.”

“I didn’t get you a birthday gift, as promised, but I can tell you to have a good one. In fact, I’m going to make sure it’s a good one. Now, come on, let’s go. I want to get back to my gift.”

“One sec, I have to grab my shoes and purse.”

“I’ll go warm your car. No way you’re gonna get in my truck wearing that...unless you want it to split all the way up your leg.”

“Whatever you say, boss. I’m leaving my cell behind. It’s been dinging all night since I posted grades for the first exam. These students are crazy. They’ve been back for a month. After that, you’d think they’d know I meant business.”

As I grabbed the keys, my phone dinged.

“Shit,” I muttered when I saw who it was.

Abbie. She’d become a regular pain in my ass.

Like a pesky little sister, she’d inserted herself in all of my business.

Happy V-Day. Don’t forget to meet us tomorrow. We have to make a plan.

Treat Prof. Richards right tonight.

Not in the mood to have a long, drawn-out conversation with her, I texted back:

K.

With the car running, I went back in to get Claire.

“I’m ready,” she said, stumbling as she shoved her feet into stilettos.

“Good thing it’s not snowing or anything.”

It was. There was already a light dusting on the ground.

“You may just have to carry me later.”

“No arguments from me.”

“Be good, Smit,” she said, and out the door we went. Claire hung on to my elbow all the way to the car, and my hand lingered on her hip a bit longer than normal as I helped her into the seat.

“I’m hungry. I wonder if the same bartender will be there. I’m sure he doesn’t remember us,” she rambled and didn’t apologize for it.

We were in a comfortable spot, easy. I was pretty certain it wouldn’t last—a chill ran down my spine at the thought. I pushed it away. Tonight wasn’t the night for any of that bullshit.

We were going to The House for dinner. We hadn’t been since our first date.

“I would guess he’s there, and I’m sure he remembers you. But you know what? I’ll be there, so who gives a shit?”

“Come on, you can’t be jealous of that guy.”

“I’m jealous of any guy,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road.

I parked as close as I could and hustled Claire inside as quickly as possible. Of course she gravitated toward the bar area. Seated on her stool, she waited to order her wine. She practically shrieked when the bartender popped a bottle of champagne in front of her and said, “Happy birthday!”

“Aiken,” she growled.

“You’re being rude. Say thank you…”

“Thank you,” she said to Bill, the bartender from last time.

“And happy Valentine’s Day,” she added.

“To you too.”

“Cheers.” I tipped my glass next to hers. “To many more, Richards.”

“This is the best surprise. Actually, nobody’s ever surprised me before, so thanks for being the first.”

“Drink up. I also ordered us the prix fixe dinner. We get a different drink with each course.”

“Perfect,” she whispered, but I heard.

Later I asked, “Dream house?”

She frowned.

“Aw, come on, I know you love yours, but if you had to pick a dream one.”

We were making small talk, asking for tiny “truths.” We’d gone over dream vacations: beach in Hawaii for her, hiking in Arizona for me. Best dog breeds: Lab for both of us. I was also partial to black and tan coonhounds. First kisses: on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh for her, spin the bottle behind the bleachers for me.

Then I’d gone and fucked it up with my house question. My impatience was getting the best of me.

Oh well, Claire would have to get out of the past eventually.

“A pool. It definitely has a pool. And a balcony off my bedroom where I can drink my coffee every morning.”

“Sounds awesome.”

“It wouldn’t have to be a big house. I’m only one person.”

“Or maybe it would be for two people.” I winked.

“Maybe. This is all such a dream. I never imagined having a second chance. I always felt too weak, like my heart didn’t have any more to give. But you make me stronger. You make my heart stronger.”

I didn’t care that we were in public. I leaned in and kissed her, taking my time savoring her lips, anticipating her tongue later this evening.

“Should we take dessert to go?”

“I thought you’d never ask. Now, eat up,” I told her before digging into the rest of my meal.