“Right.The famous Zorn brothers.I’m guessing he flat-out cleared his schedule for you.”
He shrugged in modesty.“I don’t know about that.I was wondering…do you think you might want to come watch us?”
“Of course.I’m excited to hear you play.”
His face lit up, causing her nerves to fire.She was glad he was feeling better about being in public, and she wanted to support him.
Of course, this meant they were going on another date.
While Claire was genuinely eager, she knew dating did not exactly fall under the ‘friends with benefits’ guidelines.Or did it?
They should stick to hooking up, to keep things less complicated.It was true that her emotions had sideswiped her recently, leaving a ding in her surface, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t stick to the plan.
Cheering for Nick as he played with his band would probably involve some of her emotions.
Could she really afford to mess with them any more than she already had?
It didn’t matter.She had promised Nick, and she really wanted to see his band.This meant a lot to him.
Strangely enough, it meant a lot to her too.
It was just one date, and Nick’s brothers would be there too.They’d act as a buffer.She needed to stop worrying.
And maybe concentrate more on the ‘benefits’ side to their friendship.“So…want to come over tonight?”
There was a slight pause before Nick spoke, but it was a pause, all the same.“I think that can be arranged.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.We can grab something to eat and then hang out.”
Hang out.Right.“Great.Let me know when you’re done today, and we can walk over together.”
“Sounds good.Um, I guess I’d better get to work.See you later, Claire.”With a tight nod, Nick disappeared into the back yard.
Claire watched him go, her stomach unsettled.Weird, considering she hadn’t eaten anything yet.
She was glad Nick had agreed to come over after work.She hadn’t been able to get him off her mind since the last time she saw him.
The things he’d done to her…
She’d been nervous to ask him, in fairness.In fact, she had been convinced he might say no.Even though Nick was enthusiastic in bed, she wondered if a part of him disapproved of their current setup.
If a part of him wanted more.
As she began her work day, her heart felt heavier than it had in a while.
And she knew it was because a part of her wanted more, too.
* * * *
As Nick and Claire walked across the field to her house after work, he quietly warred with himself.
This is just sex.Keep it simple.
Yeah, right.You almost jumped for joy when Claire said she’d watch you play with the band on Friday.This is not just sex, buddy.Not by a long shot.
Maybe you should just talk to her, like Dad suggested.This isn’t working.
