Page 18 of Picking Pismo

Reaching out, David tucked the hair framing her face behind her ear. “I’m sure it is, more than most will ever have to do, but at least with Him, you know it’s possible.”

Claire agreed. An awkward silence followed. The lines between friendship and more were all muddled. She didn’t trust herself.

Unbuckling her seat belt, Claire moved away from the intoxicating feeling of his touch. “Should we unload everything?” She raised an eyebrow. “I’ve already eaten up most of your Saturday. I don’t want to keep you out any longer.”

“Yes, of course.” David unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out.

CHAPTER SIX

Turning onto Claire’s street, a fire raged in David’s gut. After spending the entire day with Claire, David couldn’t fight the feelings he was developing for her. The tight, intimate space of the truck bench didn’t help things either. His mind raced with his wildest fantasies, with Claire smack dab in the middle of them.

Pulling to a stop in front of her house, David turned off the truck. With shaky hands, he swiped at the perspiration smeared across his brow. Tipping up his baseball cap a bit, David tried to appear cool and collected.

Slowly, Claire unbuckled her seatbelt. “Thanks again for your help today.” Lingering, she rubbed her hands back and forth over the top of her thighs. “I appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” replied David. His temples pulsed, making it difficult for him to think straight. Somehow, he managed to add, “Let me know if you need any more help clearing stuff out or moving things. I’m happy to help.”

“I’m sure I’ll need more help at some point.” Claire gripped the doorknob, pushing open the passenger side door. She paused, looking over her shoulder at him. “Do you want to come in for a while? I could make you something for lunch. You certainly earned a free meal.”

Glancing at his watch, David contemplated what to do. He wanted to spend more time with Claire, heck, he wouldn’t mind kissing her either. Then the truth stopped him cold; Claire was leaving in two months. It wasn’t worth risking his heart by getting attached. Look at how long it had taken him to get over his ex-wife, three long hard years. Quickly, his heart packed itself back up.

“Thanks for the offer.” David cleared his throat. “But I have some other stuff I need to get done today that I’ve neglected.”

Her face fell, making his stomach twist on itself. Claire climbed the rest of the way out of the truck. Shifting back, she said, “Of course, I’ll let you get to it. I’ll see you around, David.”

David blinked. “Yes,” he gulped. “I hope to run into you soon.”

Claire said goodbye and closed the door, wandering up the walkway to her front door. David watched her slip into the house before he started the car and drove away. His shoulders slumped.

Instantly, David regretted not taking Claire up on her offer of lunch. How did the repercussions of his divorce still have this grip on him? It wasn’t right. For a few blocks, David wrangled with his range of feelings. It’s better this way. She’s leaving. You’ll only end up alone. There’s no point in lunch, you’ll only want to see her again.

At the next light, against his own arguments, David made a U-turn and drove the entire way back to Claire’s house. After parking, David jogged up to her front door. Heart racing, breathless, David rang the doorbell. He pressed his flat palmed hand against the wall next to the door, regaining his breath while he waited for Claire to answer.

Soon, the door swung open revealing Claire. Her face lit up, unraveling the ball of nerves in his gut. Tilting her head to the side, her glance slid down him. Eagerly, Claire asked, “Did you forget something?”

“No.” David shook his head, standing straight, he squared his shoulders. “Nothing like that,” he stammered. Don’t chicken out now. “Can I take you to lunch?”

Claire fiddled with the ends of her sleeves. “I can’t let you do that. You helped me, remember. Besides, I thought you were busy.” She gnawed on the inside of her cheek.

David removed his baseball cap, running a hand through his messy hair. “If I’m being honest…” his voice faded. He rubbed at the stubble on his jawline. “I like being around you. I don’t know what I was thinking earlier by refusing your offer, but I’m free and I want to buy you lunch.”

Shuffling her feet, Claire glanced back into her house. “Okay,” she held up a finger, “give me a second to grab my purse.” Pivoting, Claire wandered back into the house.

David heaved a sigh of relief while he waited for her to return. A few moments later, Claire appeared with her purse in hand.

After Claire closed and locked her door, David asked, “Do you like clam chowder?”

Claire smirked. “Only if you plan on taking me to Splash Café.” She followed him out to his truck. “It’s the only kind I like.”

“Is there anywhere else to get it?” David opened his truck door, motioning for her to climb in. “In my mind, there isn’t any other place that compares.”

Smiling, Claire slid into the truck. “I completely agree,” she replied.

Shutting the door, David walked around to the driver’s side. His heart hammered making heat smolder in his cheeks. Taking a deep breath, he willed himself to settle down. Once in control, he opened his door and climbed in, pulling it closed. Putting the keys into the ignition, David said, “I’m glad to hear you like Splash Café too.”

“Mom took me and Alexis there our entire lives…” Claire’s voice faded away. The lines between her eyebrows deepened and railroad tracks ran across her forehead. Exhaling, Claire glanced down at her hands in her lap, before peering out the passenger side window. “I’ve so many memories of walking there in the summer.”

“I’m sure you do.” David started the ignition. He wondered what direction to take the conversation, away from memories or allow Claire to wrangle with them. Pulling away from the curb, he asked, “What time does Alexis get home? I’ll make sure to have you back by then.”

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