Of course she is. It suits her. At least what I learned of her during our night together.
“I saw the lights on the drive in. It’s stunning.”
He smiles. “That’s all her. Claire’s determined. In the best way. When she wants something, she goes after it with everything she has. That’s what she’s been doing since the owner of this place hired her. Proving she has what it takes to do this job, despite her age.”
“How old is she?” I ask hesitantly.
“Same as me. Twenty-four.”
I nod, grateful for that. At least she’s not younger.
“You work here, too. Correct?” I sip my scotch.
“Yeah. I do a bit of everything. My official title is head groundskeeper. I’ve worked here since I turned sixteen and havedone pretty much every job there is, from bussing tables at this restaurant to maintenance to everything in between.”
“Sounds like you’ve made yourself pretty indispensable.”
“I’d like to think so.”
A brief silence passes between us. I should use this opportunity to learn more about him, but I can’t stop thinking about Claire and who she is to Joshua.
“So, you and Claire,” I say after a beat. “Are you two just friends, or is there something more?”
I feel myself hold my breath as I wait for his response, fearful I’ve already fucked up whatever relationship I might have with Joshua before we’ve had a chance to get to know each other.
“There used to be.” He shrugs, lifting his beer.
“Used to be?” I prod, needing more of the story. Not because I’m interested in learning about my son, which is the only reason I should be questioning him about this.
But because I want to know more about Claire.
“We realized we were better off as friends. And we are.”
I nod, unsure if I should be relieved over the idea that he no longer has any romantic feelings for her, or horrified over the possibility that my son and I may have slept with the same woman.
Claire returns a moment later, and I feel her before I see her. Just like in Boston. She sits back down, her movements careful. Thankfully, the waiter shows up then, giving me a brief reprieve from my unnerving thoughts as we place our dinner order.
Once we’re alone again, Joshua turns the conversation toward Claire, bragging about her accomplishments like the proud friend he clearly is. She smiles through it, but it’s strained.
“This dinner’s supposed to be about you two. Not me,” she says after several minutes of Joshua regaling me with all the hard work she’s put in over the past several months. It’s obvious she doesn’t take compliments well. “What do you do, Declan?”
She turns to me, but doesn’t look me directly in the eyes, everything about her stiff and tense, a complete opposite from the carefree and relaxed woman I was lucky enough to spend one incredible night with.
“I’m a lawyer.”
“In D.C., correct?”
“How did you know that?” Joshua asks, furrowing his brow.
Claire hesitates, her lips parting as she struggles to come up with an explanation. “You must have mentioned it,” she finally says with a soft smile.
He studies her for a beat, and I’m convinced he can sense something is off. If they’re as close as they seem to be, it wouldn’t be too hard for him to realize she’s not being completely truthful.
“I’m so sorry to disturb you, Joshua,” an older woman interjects as she approaches our table, pulling his attention away from Claire. “There’s a problem with several of the heaters on the south lawn. I hate to ask, but do you mind taking a look at them?”
“Of course.” He pushes to his feet, looking between Claire and me. “This shouldn’t take long.”
“Certainly,” I respond, although I can sense Claire’s nerves over the prospect of being left alone with me. She doesn’t show it, though.
