Page 25 of Picking Pismo

“I— I—” David chuckled. Half delirious. “I don’t even know what to say.”

He felt Claire smile against his chest. “Please don’t say anything.” She loosened their embrace a tad, enough to peer up at him. With a sly smile, Claire said, “Why don’t you just kiss me again?”

So he did.

CHAPTER NINE

“Are you coming to my dance recital Friday night?” asked Alexis.

Claire locked the front door to the house then motioned for Alexis to start toward the car. Claire followed behind her to the driveway. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Why would you think I wouldn’t come?”

Alexis shrugged. “I was only worried you made plans with David.”

“Nothing is more important than going to your dance recital,” replied Claire. “I know how hard you’ve been working at your practices.”

At the car, Claire opened the door, settling into her seat.

Alexis climbed in next to her, shoving her backpack between her feet. “I was only checking. You’ve been walking around in a little love bubble haze since you guys officially started dating.”

Starting the car, Claire backed out of the driveway. “I have not.”

“Yes, you have.” Alexis buckled her seatbelt. “It’s kind of cute. I’ve never seen you like this, not even when you were dating that one guy...” Alexis squinted her eyes then snapped. “Theo, the radiologist.”

Claire groaned. “Please don’t remind me.” Theo and she had met at the hospital she worked at. He wasn’t anyone to write home about, but unfortunately it took Claire a while to figure it out. Theo still worked there too, but Claire skillfully avoided him. “I’ve been trying to forget about him.”

“He was the worst.” Alexis groaned. “Theo talked about himself nonstop. I’m the best, blah blah blah. It was so annoying.” She shook her head and sighed. “I can’t believe you thought you loved him.”

“I know, but I was young.” Claire made a right-hand turn. “I had no idea what love even felt like, but now I know I didn’t ever love Theo. I was only flattered he showed interest in me. In the beginning, Theo was very charming, but then eventually his true colors came out.”

“I’m glad you kicked him to the curb.” Alexis tsked. “But it took you so long to figure out he was no good.”

Defensively, Claire replied, “We only dated for six months.”

“Six months too long.” Alexis paused then waved a hand. “Enough about Theo. Who cares?” she paused then added, “I don’t mind if you want to invite David to my recital on Saturday night.”

“What? Invite David?” Claire stopped at the light, glancing over at Alexis. “I’m sure he already has plans.” Though Claire doubted it. They had spent every available minute together since their kiss on the pier. David stopped by after work every night, to eat dinner and hang out with her and Alexis.

“Doubtful,” Alexis smirked. “The guy has nothing going on. That’s why he’s always at our house. I don’t mind. I like him. He’s fun and has helped you not be so sad since Mom died. I want you to invite David.”

“I don’t know if ballet is David’s thing.” Claire turned into the school parking lot. She didn’t know why she was hesitant to invite David to the recital.

“You are so dense sometimes.” Alexis rolled her eyes. “The ballet isn’t the point. If David is into you, he won’t care where he’s going only that you’re there too.”

Staring over at Alexis, Claire asked, “How old are you again?”

Alexis opened her door. “Thirteen.” She hopped out, pivoting back around. “But apparently I know more about guys than you do.” Then she shut the door, wandering into the school.

Shaking her head, Claire pulled out of the school parking lot. She wondered when Alexis had become an expert on relationships. To her knowledge Alexis hadn’t even held a guy’s hand. Her words planted some ideas into Claire’s head. Maybe extending an invitation for David to attend Alexis’s recital wasn’t a bad idea. Truth was, David needed to know that Alexis and she were a package deal. He couldn’t have one without the other.

Claire didn’t have time to worry too much about her conversation with Alexis, because as she pulled into her driveway, her phone rang. Her Bluetooth flashed the number on her car’s dashboard, making her heart sink. The sound of the ring vibrated again in the car.

Taking a deep breath, Claire hit accept on the dashboard. “Hello, this is Claire.” She turned off the engine but remained seated.

“Claire, I’m glad I was able to catch you. This is Mr. Howard from the cemetery. I’ve tried calling a few times, but I haven’t been able to speak to you directly.” He paused.

Claire pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know… sorry about that.” Closing her eyes for a moment, Claire attempted to find her equilibrium. “But you have me now. What can I do for you today?”

“Like I mentioned at the burial, we need you to finalize the inscription for your mom’s headstone. Were you able to decide?” asked Mr. Howard.

---