Clare was exhaustedby the time she left work on Tuesday. She’d thrown herself one-hundred-and-ten percent back into the swing of things, hoping it would help her bounce back from the melancholy she’d felt since she got home from the island, that it would distract her from thoughts of Alicia.
Honestly, it was unnerving how much she’d come to care about Alicia over the course of a single weekend. Maybe it was because she’d known her peripherally through Lex and Brandi for so many years. She hadn’t had feelings for Alicia then, but she’d known who she was.
And now she missed her.
Clare had never had a vacation hookup before. It had been unexpectedly fun while it was happening, but the aftermath hurt enough that she didn’t think she’d make a habit of this. She preferred relationships. The emotional connection was as important to her as the physical one.
She was looking for love, and she’d keep looking until she’d found it.
Speaking of love, at least she had Rue waiting for her at home. Maybe they’d go for a jog together before dinner. Clare pulled up in front of her townhouse, and for a moment, she just stared, because someone was sitting on her front porch. Someone with long, unruly blonde hair and a presence that made Clare’s heart turn over in her chest at the sight of her.
Alicia.
Clare got out of her car, running a hand over the front of her skirt as her stomach filled with hopeful butterflies. “Alicia? What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.” Alicia stood from Clare’s steps and offered her a hesitant smile.
“This is unexpected.” Clare stopped in front of her, fighting the urge to pull her in for a kiss. It was just sogoodto see her. Emotion rose up inside her, spilling out in a smile that stretched her cheeks.
“I, um…can I come in?” Alicia reached up to fidget with her hair, and Clare could see her hands shaking. Alicia was nervous, and Clare’s heart was about to beat out of her chest in anticipation of what she might have come here to say.
“Of course.” Clare stepped past her and unlocked the front door. Rue dashed out, dancing in circles around them before she darted onto the grass by the walkway to take care of business. Then Clare led the way into her house. “Do you want anything? Something to drink?”
Alicia turned to face her, hands clasped in front of herself. “I want to date you.”
Clare blinked. “What?”
Alicia gave her head a quick shake. “I’m sorry. I just blurt things out sometimes. I meant to say…I’m sorry I turned you down yesterday. I’d like to try dating you…if that’s still what you want.”
Clare was already nodding before Alicia had finished speaking, happiness sweeping through her veins, because this was exactly what she wanted and Alicia was so adorable when she was nervous, Clare could hardly stand it. “Yes.” She leaned in to press a kiss against Alicia’s lips. “I still want that. You’ve really gotten under my skin, Alicia Benton.”
“Have I?” There was no mistaking the surprise in her voice.
“You have,” Clare confirmed, and then she gave in to the urge to take Alicia’s hands and tug her close. “I like you a lot.”
“Even when I say the wrong thing?” Alicia’s blue eyes were clouded with insecurity. “Even when I’m too blunt or too pushy or too…me?”
“Especially then,” Clare said. “I like you just the way you are.”
“No one’s ever told me that before,” Alicia whispered, eyes glossy.
“Then I’m even more glad we ended up sharing the beach house last weekend.”
Alicia nodded, and then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a paper-wrapped package, which she pressed into Clare’s hand.
“What’s this?” she asked as her fingers curled around it.
“Open it and find out.”
Clare unwrapped it carefully, revealing a glass sea turtle the size of her palm. Its translucent green color sparkled in the light. “Oh,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
“I saw it at the gift shop when I was leaving the island.”
“Thank you,” Clare said, swallowing over the lump in her throat. “I’d love to show you the rest of my turtle collection while you’re here.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Alicia told her. “And then, would you like to go to dinner with me?”
Clare leaned in and pressed her lips to Alicia’s, the glass turtle warm against her palm and affection swimming in her veins. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”
