They were talking about spring rolls now.
Claire’s bravado flagged.
It was so much easier when they were just having sex or talking about sex.Anything else smacked of commitments and the future.She needed to find a segue back into sex talk.
“You know,” he said between bites, “you continue to inspire me.”
She put down her fork.“Really?”
“Yeah.You’re taking charge of your life.It makes me want to do the same thing.”
“How so?”
He frowned at his plate.“I miss doing gigs with my brothers.We used to get together and jam once a week, and then we’d play a couple of clubs.Nothing fancy, just places where they know us.But I miss it, and pretty soon, I won’t have a chance to do it anymore.At least, not for a while.”
“You could try it, and see how you feel.”
“I don’t know.It feels like ages since I even entered a bar.I’d love to go and shoot the shit at one of our normal haunts.I just can’t handle the thought that someone in the audience will shout out that hashtag when I’m up on stage.Sometimes, I feel like that hashtag might follow me the rest of my life.”
“I don’t know a lot about social media, Nick, but my guess is most people have already moved on to the next scandal.There’s a chance people have forgotten.”
“I guess so.”
“You have to do what makes you comfortable.But if you play clubs where you know most of the people, don’t you think they would support you?Even if someone did try to heckle you, my guess is the other people there would have your back.”
“You might be right.I’m tired of hiding from the world.”He looked up at her.“I appreciateyouhaving my back.”
“Then it’s settled.Will you invite me the next time you have a gig?”
“Claire, you’ll be my guest of honor.”
She smiled.As they ate their meal, their conversation turned to family matters.Nick told her that Michael and his wife were going to announce her pregnancy at a family dinner on Sunday night.He was so excited for his brother, and for one wild moment, Claire wished she could be a part of those festivities.She liked the Zorns, all of them.
Nick most of all.
His eyes met hers.There was such longing in those depths, a need she felt deep in her soul.
She glanced at the remains of her lunch on the plate.She’d eaten well.
So why was she still hungry?
When she looked back up at Nick, he was still staring at her.Although he’d demolished three spring rolls, rice and veggies and the bulk of the spicy beef, he still looked hungry too.
His gaze dropped, lingering around her breasts.
“Nick…”
The waiter appeared with the bill.Claire reached for her purse, but Nick was already holding his credit card, ready to tap.“Let me.It’s the least I could do after barging in on you this morning.”
“Thank you.”
She waited while they finished the transaction.The waiter thanked Nick profusely for what must have been a generous tip, then walked away.
“You were saying?”
“Nick, I want to run something by you.”
“I’m all ears.”
