Although it wouldn’t be for a while.In order to use their time wisely on the west coast, his team was slated for a project in Seattle next.Teagan anticipated that renovation would take a good couple of weeks.Only after that would he have some time to travel back home to see Claire.
Just not enough time.
He’d never have enough time.
It was the only thing that was preventing him from enjoying himself at work.He put a good face on things.After all, he was the team lead, and like Michael always used to say, the team lead set the tone.The experience just didn’t shine as much without Claire at his side.Its veneer was tarnished.
Still, Nick was determined to be a success.He wanted his show to succeed so Claire would never want for anything.She’d spent so much time worrying about finances and business when Arthur was alive.
Nick didn’t want her to ever feel that way again, so he had no choice but to work his hardest.
“Hey, Nick,” said Teagan, as she bounced toward him.“Gotta second?”
He had learned Teagan didn’t walk.She bounced everywhere she went.
“A couple of us are going to grab drinks.You free for a quick one?”
Was it wrong that he just wanted to head back to the hotel to indulge in some quality moping time?And maybe a little light masturbation while thinking of his girlfriend?“Uh, I’ve got a bit of a headache.Mind if I take a pass tonight?”
“No sweat.We’ll be in the hotel bar anyway, so if you feel better, just come on down.Take care, buddy.”Teagan bounced away to her car.
Nick got into his truck.He pulled out his cell phone.Normally, he’d call Claire a little later from the hotel, but there was a time difference of several hours, and he hated calling her late all the time.On a whim, he dialed her number.
It went to straight to voicemail.
It was about ten o’clock at night there.Maybe she’d fallen asleep early, or maybe she was dealing with an issue at the sanctuary.
Either way, it caused a heaviness around his head, one that stayed with him for the entire drive back to his hotel.
* * * *
“Remind me again why we’re standing in a muddy field in the middle of the night.”David slapped his arm.“Stupid bugs.”
“First thing’s first,” said Claire.“It’s not the middle of the night.It’s about ten o’clock.The field is only muddy in places, and we’re doing this because you’re supporting your friend as she tries to make her dreams reality.”
“Since when do your dreams involve taking pictures of creepy shacks?”
Claire crouched and braced herself as her rubber boots slid in the mud.She planned her shot and snapped a few pictures.“It’s not a shack.It’s a heritage property, built in the Gothic Revival style.”She walked to where David was standing and flipped through the last couple of photos she’d taken.“See?There’s something beautiful about those angles.And look at the way that old ivy trails along the peak in the roof.”
“Okay.Those are good shots,” said David, begrudgingly giving his approval.“I had no idea you had such a dark side, Claire.It’s kind of cool.”
“Here, look at the one I took the other night of that old farmhouse.”
“Hmm.You could totally sell that one.”
“Nick said the same thing when I texted it to him.”
“I can see it now, hanging in some vampire’s parlor.”David gave her the side eye.“How is Nick, by the way?”
“Fine.Busy.”She busied herself by scanning through her photos.
David wasn’t buying it.He elbowed her, claiming all her attention.“And how are you?”
“Fine.”
“Right.That explains the sobbing coming from your office the other day.”
She glared.“I wasn’tsobbing.I was just—”
