“Well, we are. Ever since I freaked out in Smith Point.”
“We are not. I know you’re trying to make sense of it all, and I’m giving you the mental space to do so. But don’t think for one fucking second that I’m out there looking for a piece on the side while you figure it out.”
I shrugged out of his grasp and started toward home.
“Claire,” he called, quickly catching up to me.
“But it’s all been surface shit, and you never pressed on the subject.” The alcohol acted like a truth serum for truths I hadn’t even known existed.
I wanted him to press? What was that all about?
“Richards.” He tugged me to him, my front to his. “Of course I was going to press, but not right away. I want the damn shower with two heads. I want to move in with you. Your place or mine or a new place. But mostly I want you to allow yourself to want it all, and until you do that, we need to table it.”
“What? You still want that? You think that I can…”
His lips met the crown of my head, and I felt like I was ten years younger than he was.
“Yes and yes.”
I looked up at him, seeing my watery eyes reflected in his under the streetlight, and realized we were standing in front of our houses. “Are you sure tonight wasn’t about more than finding clues about your mother?” As soon as the jealous, wretched, ridiculous words were out of my mouth, I knew I was acting like the younger one between us. Especially after Aiken unloaded his sentiment.
I was acting like a complete and utter bitch, yet he took my hand and guided me up the driveway.
At my back door, he held the screen open while I fiddled with the lock.
“I’d like to come in. I hate that this still feels unresolved. Not us, but the Allison thing.”
I felt my head shake. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Claire, Allison meant nothing. She was being an informant, and not a very good one at that.”
“I’m sure, but I need a night alone.” I hated the way I was acting, but couldn’t stop it. “Thanks for walking me home.”
I slipped inside the door, shutting it in his face.
With my back to the door, I waited to hear the screen door slap closed.
Then I waited another ten minutes (in that same position) before letting Smitty out. I didn’t dare walk outside with him.
Sometimes, even Smitty had to take one for the team.
