Page 56 of Picking Pismo

Flipping down the visor, Claire opened the mirror. With a finger, she smoothed out the outline of her lips and swiped under her eyes. Once satisfied with her appearance, Claire closed it.

Palms sweaty, Claire climbed out of her car and strode across the parking lot. Before she entered David’s office, she took a few deep breaths to calm the swimming sensation in her gut. Chill out. It’s only David. Once her emotions were in check, Claire opened the door, entering the lobby.

Sarah gazed up from her computer as the door chimed. “Claire,” she said with a smile. With a thumb, Sarah motioned toward the exam room. “Alexis has already gone back. She’ll be done in about an hour if you needed to run an errand.”

Claire strode further into the waiting room, stopping in front of Sarah’s reception desk. “I’ll wait.” She wrung her hands together, peering into the exam room. Claire couldn’t see David or Alexis from her obstructed view. “I don’t have anywhere else I need to be.”

“Okie dokie,” Sarah stood, pushing in her chair. “Dr. Clark said I could leave once you arrived, since Alexis is the last patient for the day.”

Adjusting the strap of her purse over her shoulder, Claire shuffled her feet. “Oh, okay.”

A knot formed in her stomach, and Claire reminded herself to breathe. It had been a month since she’d laid eyes on David, and she wondered if she’d still feel a connection between them. Or worse, she wondered if David wouldn’t feel anything at all.

Sarah’s overly animated voice broke her train of thought. “Dr. Clark hasn’t stopped talking about you both coming.” Walking around the desk, Sarah moved closer. After she glanced into the exam room, Sarah leaned in closer and whispered, “And I know he’s excited for your date tonight.”

Her cheeks burned. Claire gulped. “I’m looking forward to it too.”

Patting her on the shoulder, Sarah said, “Yes, so no need to be nervous. David has a great night planned.” Sarah walked the remaining steps to the door. Motioning with her head, she continued, “Why don’t you go on back. You can watch as he removes Alexis’ braces. There isn’t anyone else here. He made sure of that. I’m sure he’ll enjoy seeing you earlier rather than later.”

Then Sarah made her exit.

Clasping and unclasping her grip around her purse, Claire finally mustered up the courage to move, passing through the threshold into the exam room. David was hunched over Alexis with his hands in her mouth. As she shuffled closer, David paused, peering up at her. The air crackled with palpable intensity. Seconds ticked by like infinity. Heat smothered her cheeks. It was there, and she couldn’t quench it, even if she tried.

“David…” Claire finally managed. Using the back of her wrist, Claire swiped at the moisture gathering on her forehead. Throat dry, Claire swallowed, trying to find her voice once more. “It’s good to see you again.”

David gulped, making his Adam’s apple bob up and down. Dropping the instrument in his hands, he bent down to pick it up. “Claire, I’m glad you’re here.” Another pause, then David shook the instrument in his hand. “I need to get a new one. Please take a seat.” He motioned toward an empty chair on the other side of Alexis.

With legs like jelly, Claire walked to the available seat, lowering herself into it. David hadn’t moved yet but remained frozen with the dropped instrument in his hand. She leaned closer to Alexis, examining her teeth. “Alexis, it looks like David is halfway done.” She patted her on the shoulder.

“I can’t wait to see what my teeth look like,” replied Alexis.

“Yes. Yes.” David stammered. Suddenly, he moved to leave. “Yes, halfway there. Let me go get a new one of these.” He quickly left, leaving Alexis and Claire alone.

Alexis burst out laughing. “You two.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s very entertaining to watch you guys interact with one another. I thought David’s eyes were going to fall out when he saw you.”

Claire shifted in her seat. “Enough,” she hissed. “He’ll be back any second. And I don’t want him to hear you talking.”

Alexis adjusted her position in her chair. “Of course,” Alexis scoffed. “Why would you want David to know how you feel about him?”

Pursing her lips together, Claire wondered how to respond. Luckily, they were interrupted when David returned with a clean instrument. After settling back into his seat, David continued to remove Alexis’s braces. Claire forced herself to not stare at David but focus her attention on Alexis’s teeth.

Once the last brace was removed, David announced, “Are you ready to see your new smile?” He pushed a button to lower the exam chair back to its normal height.

Nodding, Alexis waited until the chair stopped moving then she swung her legs over the side. “I’m ready. Let me see them.”

“You look fantastic.” David grabbed a mirror off the side table. He held it out to her. “Take a look at your new beautiful smile.”

Taking the mirror from David, Alexis caught her new look for the first time and gasped. “My teeth look beautiful.” A wide smile spread across her face, making her sparkle. Alexis moved her face in different directions to take in her smile at all different angles. “I knew my teeth would look good, but I can’t believe what a drastic change it is. I love it.”

Claire clapped her hands together. “Alexis, I’m so happy for you. I love your new smile. You look beautiful.”

Handing the mirror back to David, Alexis said, “David, you’re a miracle worker.”

Placing the mirror on the side table, David chuckled. “I’m not a miracle worker only a simple orthodontist.”

The door chimed, and a few seconds later Juliet and her mom wandered into the exam room. Alexis leaped from her chair, pointing at her new perfectly straight teeth. Both oohed and awed at the sight. Once the appropriate amount of praise was given, they moved to leave with Alexis in tow.

Before leaving, Alexis ran back and gave David a big, huge hug. “Thanks, David. I’m so happy,” she said.