Page 37 of Code Block
"What states comprise the US-Mid region?" Rick asked. Noah had discovered the thing Rick loved most about his job was how much he learned about different industries. He was constantly asking questions unrelated to his project duties, and Noah liked him more for it. Another thing they had in common was their thirst for knowledge.
"The US is divided up into three regions: West, Mid, and East. The Mid region runs from North Dakota down to Texas and from Louisiana up to Wisconsin. Size-wise, it's not the biggest, but it contains a few top oil-producing states. Caprock's been trying for years to figure out how to divide it up geographically in a way that balances the rig count among the regions. I'm pretty sure Don's been holding on with both fists, unwilling to give up any of his territory." Noah grinned. Texans were known for their fierce stubbornness.
Larry handed Noah a plate. Color flashed in the corner of his eye as Claire's neighbor fluttered past, headed for the door. She held it open and Claire walked in with a tote bag slung over one shoulder and carrying a pie tin in each hand. Brinnie fussed over her until she set the pies down, then dug through the bag.
Today, Claire wore a loose, long-sleeved top with fancy stitching at the V-neck and along the sleeves. The milk chocolate color matched her eyes. Instead of her usual bohemian skirt (Noah had verified the style with Jenny one day), she wore low-waisted jeans with rips in the thighs. Instead of her usual cowboy boots, she wore beaded sandals that showed off her bright green toenails. Huh. An unexpected hint at wildness. He wondered what other surprises she kept hidden under those chaste layers she wore to work every day.
"Excuse me." Noah jumped as Rick brushed past him. "If you're going to stand there and gawk, I'm cutting the line."
Claire raised her head and spotted him. Her smile lit up her face, and he returned it with a friendly wave. She came over to join him.
"Hi! I'm so glad you guys decided to come. I hated the idea of all y'all stuck at the office eating fast food when we had all this available." She looked around. "Well, I see Larry filled his plate already." She chuckled.
"Thanks for inviting us. Er, we saw your dad."
She reached behind him and grabbed a plate. "Oh, good. He said he would save us a spot at the table in the corner. C'mon, fill your plate. You're holding up the line, slowpoke." She turned away as another resident called her name, asking about some dish on the counter. She seemed to be in her element here among friends.
Two hours later, Noah sat back and looked around the table. Their plates were scraped clean. They'd eaten traditional fare like turkey, ham, yams, and green beans, but they'd also had multiple types of stuffing to choose from and several international dishes he hadn't expected. Claire said her friends cooked a wide range of food, but she'd definitely undersold it. The selection was amazing.
Noah had secretly watched Claire as she conversed with those sitting at their table and the other residents who wandered by. She showed no signs of the shy, quiet person she was at work. The conversation had flowed easily and they'd all had a good time. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so much. He really liked Claire.
Well, crap. He sighed. He'd thought coming here today and seeing her in her space would get her out of his system. That maybe—hopefully—he'd witness something that was a complete turnoff and buck up his determination to ignore her. That plan may have backfired. More than ever, he wanted to solve the enigma of Claire. Why was she so skittish at work, but totally comfortable here? This was bad.
"Okay, y'all ready for dessert?" The brightly dressed woman—Brinnie, he reminded himself—who'd been flittering around all afternoon, stopped by their table. "Hmm? How about you, young man?"
Noah froze, realizing all eyes were on him. He cleared his throat. "Miss Brinnie, if you feed me another bite, my buttons will pop off."
She chortled and moved around the table, talking to each guest.
Claire leaned over and whispered, "You made her day. She loves attention from good-looking men."
She called me good-looking. Noah smiled and whispered back, "I believe she's the life of the party, no?"
"She always is," Claire said. Her gaze followed Brinnie fondly as the older woman moved around the room.
"Claire," Rick said, drawing Claire's attention. "Thanks for inviting us. I took pictures and sent them home to Peggy. She said she's now jealous."
"Does your wife ever travel with you?" Claire asked Rick.
"She used to, but the pregnancy has kept her homebound." He filled his water glass from the pitcher on the table. "It's a mixed blessing. She misses traveling and being together, but she's decorating the baby's room and getting ready for the new arrival."
"How far along is she now? It must be getting close for her to be doing the nesting thing."
"She's about seven months along now."
Noah elbowed his friend. "Getting ready to pop after the first of the year, eh, old man? You better finish putting together the crib when you go home next."
"You should come help me, since you're so good with your hands."
"Really?" Claire asked. She studied their faces as if checking to see if they were kidding.
Larry burst into laughter. "Noah's an amateur carpenter. He's good with wood. Although I hear he's also good with the ladies, so there's that."
Noah shot him a look, already bracing for something inappropriate. But then he caught Claire watching him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. He smoothed his expression and looked back at her. Was it his woodworking that caught her attention or the ladies' man comment?
Either way, he shouldn't be thinking about it. She was someone he worked with. And he's learned the hard way what happened when lines blurred at work. One flirty smile, one misread moment, and suddenly he was the one everyone whispered about in the break room.
He cleared his throat. "It's just a hobby," he said, more to Claire than to Larry.
