The food delivery guy rang the door again.No time for philosophical discussions now.
She arrived at the door and tucked her hair behind her ear, although she wasn’t sure why.It wasn’t as if the delivery man had interrupted a full-on naked grope.
Nick stood a few feet behind her, but the air was charged.Even though she’d noticed he was careful to maintain a distance, it didn’t really matter.Shefelthim behind her.His energy had changed something inside the house, bringing with it a whole lot of confusion and a strange yearning.
Claire, do you even hear yourself?This is so ridiculous.
She whipped open the door.Joe Moretti, owner of the local diner, had been personally delivering many of Claire’s orders for the past three years, rather than sending one of his employees, and tonight was no different.Joe had been friendly with Arthur, and Claire knew for a fact he liked to look in on her, as a favor to his buddy.He also asked his wife to throw in extra fries or onion rings here and there.As a result, Joe knew her regular order.As she opened the door, he held out the bag of food.“Claire, you doubled your order!Someone’s hungry.”
Nick stepped up behind her.
Joe’s mouth fell open, but he recovered quickly.“Oh!I see.I, uh…”
“Hi, Joe.”Claire took the bag, set it down, and looked on the hall table for her wallet.“This is Nick.A friend.”
Nick held out his hand.“Nice to meet you.”
Joe pumped his hand and frowned.Claire knew he was probably torn between cheering her on and warning Nick not to mess with his friend’s girl.“Uh, nice to meet you too.”
“Let me pay,” said Nick.
Claire held up her hand.“No, my treat.I insist.”She handed Joe the money, making sure to include a nice tip.“Keep the change, Joe.”
“Yeah, sure, thanks, Claire.”Joe stood there for a second.“Do you…need anything else?”
“No, we’re good, thank you.”
“Okay.Well, Marie threw in an order of poutine.She knows you like it.”
“You guys always take good care of me.Tell Marie I said hello.”
Joe nodded.He gave Nick another once-over, and slowly headed down the porch steps.As he headed to his car, he kept looking over his shoulder.
Claire waved to let him know she was okay, and not being held against her will by some weirdo who craved burgers.
Was it any wonder?Three fucking years.It seemed like forever, but at other times, it was as if only a day had passed.
Maybe she should have made an attempt to be more social all this time.No wonder the neighbors still treated her with kid gloves.Shaking her head, she shut the door.
Nick grinned.“Your friend Joe was about to ask me to step outside.”
“It’s a close-knit community.”She laughed.“He and his wife have been protective of me.I think you gave him a shock.”
“Yeah, I fully expect to see his face in the window while we’re eating.”
They brought the food into her kitchen and she set out some plates and napkins for them.By the time they’d dug into the steaming hot food, she’d almost forgotten how Nick had stroked her hand, and how good it made her feel.
Almost.
“So,” she said as they ate, “are you excited about your new show?It’s going to be a big change, I’d imagine.”
“Yeah, but I’m ready for the change.”Nick’s eyes lit up.“Handymenhas been great, but when my brothers and I first started it, we knew nothing about the TV business.I feel like I’ve learned so much, and that it’s time to expand on that knowledge.Handymenhas a certain format, a certain vibe, and in some ways, you get constrained by that format.I get to branch out more now.”He waved his arm around, as if the room represented where he would branch out.
“You’ll be in charge.”
“I will.It’s a little intimidating, but I’m pumped to try it,” he said, giving her a fist bump.
Nick was the sort of person who gesticulated a lot as he talked, which amused her to no end.He took a couple of quick bites, swallowed quickly and returned to the conversation, gesturing with animation.She liked watching him speak, liked the way his hair moved and how he smiled so easily.
