Page 92 of Clara Knows Best

“Slim to none,” Clara answered, ignoring him. She made a face that she hoped would convey that things were not goingsuperwell with Jesse that morning, and Yoli smiled a veryknowingsmile as she hung up her coat and scarf.

“Oh! Clara, before I forget. I met that Marine with the tattoos. Remember?”

Clara gave her a disapproving shake of the head, but Yoli brushed it away and continued.

“When I got home from work yesterday I saw him down my block, working on a car in his driveway. I guess he’s my neighbor!”

“You don’t say,” Clara said reluctantly.

“So I walked over there and introduced myself. When I tell you that I was standing there wishing I was an engine block! I could see his abs through his t-shirt. Well, maybe I was imagining that. Turns out, he doesn’t know anyone in town, so I gave him your number. He’s going to text you!”

“My number? Why didn’t you give him your number?”

“I got my eye on someone else, and I wanted to do something nice for you,” Yoli said mysteriously. “His name is Sam, by the way. I showed him your picture—”

“Yoli!”

“—andSamsaidyouare aten. So, keep your phone close today.”

Then Yoli grinned hugely, and looked at the door to Jesse’s office.

Clara rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling a little. “All right, I guess we’ll see.”

You got this, Yoli mouthed to her, with two thumbs up.

Clara put her hands together to form a heart. “Jesse was right about you—you’re good people.”

“Pshaw,” the tech said.

Clara’s phone chimed loudly and she jumped in her chair.

“Sounds likea text,” Yoli said dramatically.

“It is a text. Now, mind your own business. You’ve done more than enough already.”

“Well, let me see it! Just the first one.”

Clara turned her phone to show the photo the Colonel had just sent of Greer, lying on the floor at his feet, with a dog emoji and the caption:

Someone was lonely in her crate

“Aw!” Yoli gushed. “Lonely! Poor baby!”

“I know, right?” Clara exclaimed. “How sweet is he, though, for sending me this? I’m definitely going to have a good day now.”

“He even knows how to use emojis! He’s adorable.”

Clara laughed, both at Yoli’s remark and the knowledge that Jesse no doubt believed them to be talking about the made-up Marine. Unfortunately, she didn’t think he would be too upset by the misapprehension; he was probably relieved to find himself off the hook after the kiss he so clearly regretted.

34

First Charles the bodybuilder, and now Sam the tattooed Marine whose abs showed through his shirt. Maybe he’d been wrong about the small-town thing, because Clara seemed to have no trouble finding men to go out with.

Jesse was in the Wilders’ basement gym, hoping that the unique agony of leg day would distract him fromThe Clara Show. So far, it wasn’t working. The Colonel had come down to spot him on the leg press and had taken on the role of trainer and drill sergeant. He was keeping it light due to the bruised rib, but it was still plenty difficult.

All in all, not a real good time.

“Might need you to carry me up the stairs after this.”

---