“Thanks for letting me talk about it. I didn’t think I wanted to, but I’m glad I did.”
He returned the kiss, pressed a little harder than she’d done, and instantly she met him there. He loved this about her, how constantly ready she was to bring intensity that equaled his own.
When they finally ended the kiss, Claire pushed up from the couch and retrieved the TV remote from where it had fallen onto the floor. “Okay, now what’s your pick? Whatever it is, I’ll rent it for us.”
Ooh, this would be fun. And he didn’t have to worry that any of his favorites would be too old for her. “Have you seen the originalSuperman?”
“Christopher Reeve, from the seventies?” she said without pause.
“That’s the one.” The one and only.
“It’s been at least ten years, and I’m up for a re-watch.”
They settled in for their second film, and their commentary remained light for the most part. They did discuss the two films side by side, especially their portrayals of justice, and the discussion held new layers now that he understood another piece of what drove her.
Contentment flooded him as they cuddled quietly after the movie. He trusted her more every day, and her trust was building too. He could feel it between them, a silent strengthening bond. He longed and loved to know her better, to be given the gift of the deepest pieces of who she was. He wishedthey had a chance at the bloodbound covenant, hated he was the reason they didn’t, but he didn’t need a silver scar on his neck to bind him to Claire. She was right: his emotions were big. But so was his knowing. And all the way to the core of him, Tai knew his heart would be hers for the rest of his life.
When he got home later that night, Tai spent a few long minutes cradling his phone, staring at the dark screen, breathing deep, in and out. He had to do this. There might be help for him. Equally possible there might not be, but he would never know if he didn’t call the number now stored in his phone.
He sent the call.
While it rang, he tried to keep breathing.
“Hello?”
Say something. It was okay. Claire knew this person, trusted him.
“Hello, anybody there?”
“H-hello, this is Tai Kristiansen calling for Peter Updike. I got your number from Claire Vanderlaan.”
“Oh, of course.” The man’s voice infused with instant warmth. “I’m so glad to hear from you, Tai.”
They didn’t talk long, mostly because Tai remained hardly able to speak. Peter figured this out within a few sentences and suggested an in-person meeting instead.
After he hung up, he realized his body was in full statue mode. He couldn’t move an inch, not even to set down the phone. Slowly he got his limbs working again, then flopped like a ragdoll onto the floor and stared up at the ceiling. He still didn’t see how Peter could possibly help him, but he would meet with the man, and maybe face-to-face, he’d be able to talk.
Seventeen
Claire’s phone buzzed with a text as she was locking up the bar, just a few minutes after midnight on Friday, not quite two weeks after the wedding. Her regulars knew she’d stay open until two in the morning if she was busy, but tonight had been unusually quiet for a Friday. She waved good night to her last two servers and checked her phone as she walked to her car.
Ember:If you’re not free at this very moment, can we please schedule a phone chat? I miss you.
Yes, yes, yes. Claire didn’t bother to text a reply. She called Ember, put her phone on Speaker mode and turned the volume down to the lowest bar. As it began ringing, she winced; Speaker mode was too loud even at minimum volume. But without it, Ember couldn’t hear her. Claire got into her car and set the phone in her cup holder.
“Okay, listen, we can’t let so much time go by ever again, Claire. This month-or-more between catching up is stupid.”
Claire felt the smile take over her face. “One hundred percent agree.”
“And I know it’s my fault, and I’m sorry.”
Her eyes burned; she blinked a few times. No need to get emotional about this. “You have a sixteen-year-old and a sixteen-month-old.”
Ember gave a little huff. “Don’t excuse me, woman.”
“Fine, then. I’ve missed you too. And losing touch sucks. And I’m glad you texted, but do you really have time now?” Sure, Ember’s time zone was an hour earlier, but she was human and dealing with a baby’s sleep schedule. She’d be better off going to bed than chatting with Claire.
“I just got Kolson down for the night, and Aaron and Quinn won’t be home until morning.”
