Page 48 of Picking Pismo

“Me too,” replied Claire. “Me too.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Waiting in his parked car, David spotted Claire walking down the sidewalk leading to the pier. Though it was early evening, with it being summer the sun was still high in the sky. The sunlight cast a heavenly glow, radiating off Claire’s hair. David reminded himself to breathe as he stared in awe of her casual everyday beauty. A gentle breeze made her hair whip around her shoulders, and David watched as she attempted to tame the loose fly aways. After she arrived at their agreed-upon meeting spot at the opening of the pier, Claire settled onto one of the benches which faced out to the water.

She was early. And he was too. Claire was only here for the weekend, and come Sunday, she’d be gone and he would once again be alone. How could he already miss her, and she wasn’t even gone yet? Restless, David climbed out of the car, locking the door behind him. He strode across the parking lot while his insides did somersaults. Then as he approached, Claire twisted on the bench, landing her glance on him. He nearly froze in place as their eyes locked, making him feel perfectly intoxicated. You’re toast. Admit it.

With wobbly legs, he waved at her, reminding himself to smile. “Claire.” He took the remaining steps to meet her. “You beat me here,” said David.

Running her hands back and forth over her thighs, Claire smiled, making the corners of her eyes crinkle. “I did.” David wondered if she was cold or as nervous as him.

Sitting down on the bench next to her, David forced himself to stare out at the vast ocean and not at Claire. He thought again how he loved Pismo, loved the ocean, and its ability to bathe his body in its calming balm. It was the most relaxed he felt in months.

Claire said, “I arrived early on purpose.” Her gaze held steady on the water.

Resting his arm on the back of the bench, Claire relaxed against the seat, only slightly brushing his arm. A fire raged in his gut. If David only moved his arm a few inches, he could fully wrap his arm around her shoulders. His body ached to be close to her again, but he had forfeited that right, so he didn’t move his arm. Forcing his hand into a fist, David tapped it unconsciously on top of the back of the bench.

“And why did you want to arrive early?” David asked, shifting his gaze from the ocean to her, allowing himself to bask in her beauty. “I—I mean if you don’t mind sharing.”

Turning a tad, Claire moved closer. “I wanted a few minutes to think...” Her voice trailed off, and she propped one leg over her other knee. Exhaling, Claire paused.

They were an inch from touching, and the distance was driving David batty. Finally, with a furrowed brow, Claire asked, “Do you think it’s possible to truly forgive someone?”

Without hesitation, David replied, “Absolutely.”

Claire glanced down at her hands then flipped her hair over her shoulder. The strands of her hair tickled his arm. “Alexis and I are trying to move on, to forgive.” Her voice faded away with the waves of the tide. Gazing out at the water, she continued, “It’s a tall order, to forgive. Always easier said than done, but I’ve always believed forgiveness is more for yourself than for anyone else.”

“I agree.” David ached to pull her close, but he swallowed the thought away and continued, “But if anyone can forgive, it’s you.”

Claire’s back stiffened. “I don’t know about that.” Gnawing on her bottom lip, she hesitated then asked, “Do you ever think you’ll forgive your ex-wife?”

The question knocked the wind right out of him. David didn’t see the conversation going in this direction. They were talking about her, not him. He wanted to believe he forgave his ex-wife, Lauren, and more importantly, himself. Every day he remembered how he had failed in the biggest way possible. It ate him alive, kept him from moving on, and from finding happiness with someone else.

David crossed his arms, shifting in his seat. “I thought I had.”

Claire shook her head. “No, I don’t think you have. But you should. You deserve to be happy too.”

Was he happy? David wondered. Claire made him happy, Alexis too.

Abruptly, David stood, wanting the talk of Lauren to be over. “Should we go get some clam chowder?” He held his hand out to her to help her to her feet.

Claire placed her hand into his, standing herself. He held her hand longer than necessary. David only realized it when Claire stared down at his grip. He broke their touch. Claire folded her arms against her body.

Shifting toward Main Street, Claire didn’t acknowledge his quick change of the subject. “Let’s go. I’m hungry. The line is probably already around the block.”

“Yep, but oh, so worth it,” replied David.

They walked to Splash Café in silence, getting in line behind the other customers wrapped around the restaurant and down the street.

Once in the line for a few minutes, Claire, leaning up against the wall of the restaurant said, “I remember the last time I came here with Mom. Alexis complained, because she didn’t want clam chowder. Mom talked her into getting something else. Tacos I think.” Claire’s eyes misted, and she cleared her throat. “Mom had a way with Alexis. She could talk her into anything.”

“And you can’t?” asked David.

Claire laughed. “No way, not even a little bit.” She smiled. “But you have a way with her. She likes you, and Alexis hardly likes anyone.”

David leaned his back against the building too, so they were shoulder to shoulder. Finally touching, he hoped it would squelch the desire within him to draw her close. “I’m around teenagers all day with my patients. I’ve learned a few tricks on how to talk to them.”

Shoving her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie, Claire replied, “Maybe you could teach me a few of your tricks?”

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