I stepped into the shower and let the water rain over my hair and shoulders, grateful to be washing off work from the night before. Although I wished I didn’t have to rinse Drew off my skin. His smell kept me company as I slept for a bit last night, and I liked it way more than I cared to admit.
It brought memories back of a hopeful Jules, one who believed everything would be fine between the coach and her. It had been a silly wish, especially after what had happened at my first school.
Maybe that’s why Drew didn’t care what I looked like now? I’d always been damaged goods to him.
Did he have some rescue fantasy? Was that all it was about with Darla?
My mind ran marathons while I washed my body. The possibilities were endless, according to my overactive brain.
By the time I’d dried off, dressed for work, and barely swallowed some food, I’d convinced myself Drew and I were headed absolutely nowhere.
“Hey, Claire, can I see you a second?”
Bryce caught me at the end of my shift when all I wanted to do was rush off to grab Darla. He’d been the one constant in my life, aside from her, and I owed him a lot.
“Sure,” I said.
“What’s new?” he asked as I entered his cramped office and leaned against the wall opposite his desk.
“For starters, I didn’t mind working lunch. I get to spend the whole night with Darla.”
“That’s definitely news to me.”
“Don’t get excited; I’m not planning on doing it often. But it’s kind of cool now that Darla is turning into a real person, a little one, but still it’s awesome to just hang with her.”
“I’m sure. You’ve done a great job with her. I love seeing it.”
“Thanks. Was there something you needed?”
Bryce and I had shared a drink after closing numerous times. We’d caravanned from Carolina to Florida, had even scoped out some brunch places and playgrounds with Darla in tow around our old location. But this was beginning to feel oddly personal.
“Well, it seems like Mr. King is joining us frequently and always taking a table in your section. I wanted to make sure you know what you’re doing. To be sure you’re okay.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I didn’t ask him to come eat here. He does live in this town, and I guess he likes it here.”
My hackles were up. I really didn’t like where this was going ... or not going. Whatever was happening was making me incredibly uncomfortable.
“Yes, I’m not blaming you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it, and see if you need me to intervene.”
“Why would you intervene? He’s paying money to eat here, and tipping me too, if that’s what you were wondering.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Claire.”
“Jules.”
“What? What do you mean?” He leaned forward on his desk.
“My name is Juliette. Claire is my middle name. Before I met you, I went by Jules, but I changed it to keep Drew from finding me. I mean, Claire Smith? Can you get any blander than that?”
This time he rocked back in his chair, eyeing me as I checked the time on my phone. All I wanted to do was pick up Darla.
“So, that’s why no Facebook?”
“I hate dredging up old business, which is why I don’t. I took down all my social media before meeting Drew for other reasons, and I never saw a reason to do it again. It’s a pain in the ass, and I don’t really like people all up in my business.”
I raised an eyebrow at him.Like you are right now.
“What do you prefer I call you?”
