Claire stood and went upstairs without another word.
Ten minutes passed. Maybe more.
He heard the creak of the screen door before he heard her steps.
Claire walked onto the porch, her arms folded tight. Her expression was cold.
“Really?” she said. “After all that... you’re back out here?”
Jaxon didn’t flinch. “Yeah. You went upstairs. Was I supposed to follow you?”
“You could’ve at least said something.”
He shook his head slowly. “Once again—your choice.”
Her eyes rolled hard. “Okay. Well this is my choice too then.”
Headlights lit the drive.
Sara’s car.
Jaxon didn’t even look surprised.
“I know, Claire.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she snapped, turning to go.
He didn’t stop her. Just leaned back in the swing, the storm still glowing on the horizon.
“Be safe,” he called. “And have a good night.”
She didn’t answer.
Didn’t even look back.
40
Storm Warning
TheSUVwasbarelyout of Jaxon’s driveway when Sara gave Claire a look.
“Okay,” she said flatly. “What happened?”
Claire didn’t hesitate. She launched into it—her voice sharp, her words clipped, like she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else. She told Sara about the ride home. About the dinner. About the porch. About the argument.
“So let me get this straight,” Sara said, eyes never leaving the road. “You’re mad that he didn’t want to ride around town wasting gas before a storm, made you dinner anyway—even though he was tired—and then asked you to sit outside and watch the rain… and you got mad because you wanted to watch a movie?”
Claire crossed her arms. “Yes. Thank you. Exactly. At least you understand.”
“I didn’t say I understood,” Sara snapped. “I said I heard you. There’s a difference.”
Claire’s face twitched. “He could’ve made something more proper. I mean, it was good, but it was still just... quesadillas.”
“Oh my God,” Sara muttered. “He made you dinner. He fed you. He took care of you. And you’re complaining it wasn’t gourmet?”
Claire scoffed. “Then he has the nerve to say he’s not a lost puppy. That he’s not gonna follow me around like I expect him to.”
“Because you do expect that!” Sara slammed the gearshift into park in front of the beach house. “You act like the world’s supposed to orbit around you. Claire, you got mad because he didn’t chase you inside like a damn rom-com.”
