Page 21 of Picking Pismo

Claire pointed to Alexis’s bedroom. “Enough. Go to bed,” she hissed.

Then Alexis cackled. “Oh, look how sensitive you’re being. You like him even more than I thought. You like him—a lot.”

* * *

Monday morning, Claire shoved Alexis’s sandwich into a brown paper bag. She grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl, tossing it inside before folding the top closed. “Alexis!” Claire shouted. “We need to leave or you’re going to be late. I can’t come up with any more excuses for the school.”

Alexis rushed into the kitchen with her backpack slung over her shoulder. “Our mom died… I think they’ll understand.” She grabbed the paper bag Claire held outstretched to her. Then she shoved it into her backpack, zipping it closed. She adjusted the strap over her other shoulder. “We have at least a few more months to milk that.”

Claire couldn’t help but laugh. “If only that’s how this worked.” She pointed toward the front door. “Let’s hit the road.”

Rolling her eyes, Alexis said, “Fine.”

After managing to drop Alexis off on time for school, Claire took the long route home. Picking the road which hugged the ocean, she hoped the view of the ocean would calm the staccato beat of her heart. Sadness washed over her, Claire was going to miss this town and the memories she shared here. Once she moved Alexis into her apartment in Los Angeles, she knew Pismo would be in the rear-view mirror. They wouldn’t have time to visit or have a place to stay if they did decide to come back. Her former life, the one with her mom in it, was slipping through her fingertips. And she hated it.

Claire rolled down the window a tad as she stopped at the four-way stop, a block from the Old West Cinnamon Roll Shop. Her nostrils flared from the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon rolls. A line was already wrapped around the corner, but the comfort of a perfectly baked cinnamon roll led her straight into the parking lot. Without thinking, Claire climbed out of her car and joined the long line.

Slowly, the line moved forward. Her mind was elsewhere, a mix of memories from her childhood of walking there in the summer with Mom and Alexis. Claire even remembered a few good times with her dad in it, but she tried not to think about him too much if she could help it. But then her mind wandered to David. Their Saturday together only solidified her feelings for him, but after he hadn’t called or texted her, she doubted he reciprocated her feelings. Regardless, she needed to thank him for his free labor.

So, when she finally arrived at the front of the line, Claire ordered an extra dozen of the cinnamon rolls to drop off at David’s office. With the morning under way, Claire figured he’d be with clients, which would work perfectly, because she could leave them with Sarah at reception. The debt would be repaid in full. With the cinnamon rolls in hand, Claire left the cinnamon roll shop and drove to David’s office.

Pulling into David’s orthodontist parking lot, Claire found it empty which didn’t feel quite right. Nevertheless, after parking, with the cinnamon rolls in hand, she wandered across the parking lot to the front door. When she went to open it, Claire found it locked. Confused, she glanced around the door and spotted the hours of the office. Apparently, since it was Monday, the office opened later than usual, not until ten-thirty.

Double checking the time on her watch, Claire groaned. The office didn’t open for another half hour. “Great,” she muttered under her breath. “What do I do now?”

Pausing, she peered back at her car. Maybe she could find a pen? Then she could write a note and leave the cinnamon rolls on the doorstep. With a plan, Claire veered back toward her car. The sudden sound of squealing tires made Claire jump. David’s truck peeled into the parking lot. She moved out of the way of his truck, nearly tripping on the curb. This was not how she planned on this whole thing playing out. He already saw you. You can’t run away now.

Knees shaking, Claire fumbled her way toward his truck. Smiling, David climbed out. “Claire, what are you doing here?” His eyes glided down her body, making her skin ignite. “It’s so good to see you again.” He shut the door and strode over to where she waited.

See. He’s glad to see you. It isn’t all in your head. But he didn’t contact you either, so who knows what to think.

“I— I—” Claire stammered, forgetting how to communicate. Remembering why she was there; Claire shoved the box of cinnamon rolls toward him. “I brought you these, as a thank you.”

His eyes lit up, smoothing out the ball of nerves bouncing around in her gut. “You didn’t need to do that.” David took the box from her, glancing down at the logo printed across the top of the box. “But Old West Cinnamon Rolls are my favorite.”

A pause followed. Claire wrung her hands together while shuffling her feet. When he just remained silent, she took it as her cue to leave. “Well, you have a nice day. Thanks again for your help on Saturday.” Her heart hammered, making her temples throb. Casting her glance away from him, Claire moved toward her car. “I’ll see you around.” She spoke over her shoulder.

Claire didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t that. Deep down she desired David, but David wasn’t interested in her. None of this mattered, she reminded herself, because in two months she’d drive away from Pismo and never look back.

With jittery hands, Claire opened her car door, tossing her purse onto the passenger seat. Sliding inside, she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Boy, she had been foolish. Reaching to close the door, David’s voice stopped her cold.

“Wait,” David called out.

Claire popped her head out her car door, craning her neck to see him. David jogged over to her car with the cinnamon rolls still in his hands.

Out of breath, he gripped the corner of her door with his free hand. “I want to take you out.” His breath started to even out. He locked eyes with her as he continued, “On a real date.”

Her cheeks splashed with heat. “Umm…” Claire gripped the steering wheel. “Are you sure? I know you were only being nice helping me on Saturday. You don’t have to take me out.”

He flashed his pearly whites, nearly blinding her. “I mean I’m not going to argue with you about that, I am a nice guy. But I did have ulterior motives when I agreed to help you. I wanted to spend time with you. And truth be told, the more I am with you, the more I want to be around you and get to know you better, so what do you say? Dinner, Friday night. If Alexis is around, I don’t mind her tagging along, too.”

Claire gnawed on her bottom lip while fiddling with her keys. “I think Alexis is going to a play with her friends at the school, so I should be free.”

“Then…” David smiled widely, dissolving any moment of doubt she experienced only moments prior. “I’ll see you Friday night.” He released his grip from the corner of the door, taking a step backwards. Shaking the box of cinnamon rolls, he added, “Thanks again. I’ll thoroughly enjoy these.”

With a trembling hand, Claire waved goodbye and told him she’d see him Friday. Claire started the car and drove home, and despite the morning dew, she was warm all over.

CHAPTER EIGHT

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