Page 33 of Picking Pismo

“Fine,” Claire exhaled. “I’ll worry about leaving and what that means for us when the time comes.” She pulled away enough to glance up at him, searching his face for reassurance he felt the same. “I still want today with you.”

Reaching out, David cupped her face between both of his hands. Her body buzzed, making her feel young and alive.

“I do too. We’ll figure it out,” whispered David. He leaned in, nearly making his lips graze hers. “Together.”

Claire gulped, knowing full well a few weeks wouldn’t be enough with David. Heck, five years wouldn’t be, either.

“Together,” repeated Claire.

Her gaze flickered between his eyes and his lips. Standing on her tiptoes, Claire crossed the few inches holding them apart, allowing her lips to glide across his. David tugged her closer, bringing them hip to hip. Her hand dove into his hair, raking it between her fingertips. His thumb danced across her chin.

In the kitchen, kissing David, Claire forgot about her heartache, pain, and grief. Here, with him, Claire believed she’d be okay, and whatever tomorrow held, she could bear it. He brushed his tongue along her bottom lip, making her lips tingle. His cologne, perfectly intoxicating, filled her lungs, making her knees wobbly.

Without missing a beat, David supported her weight, tightening his hold around her waist. Mind blank, Claire only dwelled on the sensation of his skin against hers. They kept kissing like tomorrow was tomorrow. And today was all that mattered.

How long they remained in the kitchen kissing, Claire didn’t have a clue.

But the sudden, abrupt voice of Alexis broke the trance. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” scoffed Alexis. “You two…” She shook her head and folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe leading into the kitchen.

Claire scurried out of David’s arms, smoothing out her ruffled hair with her hand. She tugged her shirt back to its proper length, trying to appear cool, calm, and collected though her heartrate begged to differ.

Alexis continued, “I can’t leave you two alone for a minute,” she tsked, pivoting. “I need you to sign my progress report, when you’re done making out,” said Alexis over her shoulder. She continued down the hallway until completely out of sight.

“She does have a point.” David reached out, tugging her back into his arms. “I can’t help it if I love kissing you.” He gave her a peck on the tip of her nose. “And I can’t keep my hands off of you.”

Claire fanned her face with her hand. Her cheeks burned, fiery and hot, but it didn’t compare to the molten lava building inside of her. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“Ahh…” David shrugged. “Don’t be. I’m not. I don’t care who sees us kiss.”

Claire caught the hint of mischievousness in David’s gaze. “Really?” She put a hand on her hip. “You’re telling me,” pressing a finger into his rock-hard chest, “if it was your family, your parents, who caught us kissing you wouldn’t be the least bit embarrassed?” She raised an eyebrow.

David rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “Okay, maybe.” His gaze flickered across her face. He lowered his voice, “But for the record, I’d be thrilled for the entire world to know we were together.”

Claire didn’t know what to say in return, so, she simply leaned in and kissed him again.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Unfortunately, the lights of the auditorium were lowered. In the darkness, David squinted, hoping for his eyes to adjust quickly to the dim lighting. A horrible accident on the freeway had resulted in him arriving ten minutes late to Alexis’s dance recital in the neighboring town of San Luis Obispo. Due to a last-minute work emergency, David didn’t drive over with Claire and Alexis as was previously planned.

According to Alexis, this wasn’t a recital per se, but more of a performance involving a few different dance companies. Alexis invited him via text after cooking together. David had never attended a dance performance before and was excited to see Alexis in action. Any extra time with Claire was a bonus.

Unable to spot Claire, or an empty seat, David shot her a text hoping she could tell him the general location of where she was sitting. A packed auditorium, big enough for a few thousand, wasn’t what he envisioned. This was a production. A huge fancy backdrop with decorations filled the stage. The ballerinas were dressed in fancy and ornate costumes.

David wondered if he should’ve dressed nicer than his slacks and button-down shirt. He regretted not grabbing his sports coat on the way out of his house. Furthermore, he wished he wasn’t forced to arrive so late. His phone vibrated in his pocket. Discreetly, David cupped his hand over the screen to cut back on the light while he read the message.

Third row next to the right aisle.

David was on the wrong side of the auditorium. Exiting, he walked to the other side and reentered. Ducking down, he made his way to the correct row. Spotting Claire in her seat, David slipped into the row. Claire smiled and removed her jacket which she had placed on the seat next to her.

Sitting down, David leaned in and whispered, “I’m sorry I’m late. Did Alexis already go on?” He glanced at the stage, trying to see if he spotted Alexis.

“No. You made it in time,” Claire whispered back with her gaze still glued to the stage. “She’s in the next three numbers.”

Claire found his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. Soon the number ended, and he clapped along with the rest of the audience. The music changed from a jazzy upbeat melody to the soothing sounds of a famous classical song he couldn’t name, but recognized. Alexis en pointe, glided from off stage left toward the center with several other ballerinas. In perfect unison, the ballerinas went up en pointe then down again, followed by fast spins. Crisply, they turned together in tight circles. Around and around for what seemed like forever. David wondered how the dancers didn’t get sick or dizzy. It was mesmerizing.

Then Alexis emerged, taking center stage with her dance partner. He lifted and spun her with a single hand high above his head. David marveled at Alexis’s grace. With a twist, Alexis landed perfectly into her partner’s arms. Immediately, the lights went dark, ending the number. The audience erupted in applause. David sprung to his feet, clapping louder than anyone else.

After the applause ended, the stage lit up again for the next number. David settled back into his seat, leaning toward Claire over the armrest, he whispered, “I didn’t know Alexis was this good.”

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