Page 14 of Falling for Red
“Action figure.” I chuckle. “If you’re looking for a toy, then I don’t think this is going to work.”
“I’m not looking for anything,” she shoots back, her tone more serious than I expected. Her words hang in the air between us.
I set my elbow on the table, resting my head in my hand, taking her in. “I don’t believe you,” I whisper, selfishly hoping the response is her defense mechanism and not the truth. Because I want more.
We eat silently for a moment, and I take the time to think. I’ve been on plenty of dates this year, but this one feels different. There’s real potential here, but she’s so guarded. Maybe she really isn’t looking for something serious, or maybe she’s afraid to admit she could be. I can’t tell yet, but I want to find out.
“Tell me about your daughter,” I say, shifting gears. “How’s she doing? I kind of guessed a stuffed animal would be appropriate since you said she was at Tot Academy.”
“She loves stuffed animals, so thank you,” Claire says, and her expression softens. “Gabriella … Gabby is feeling better. Minutes before the fire alarm went off, they called me saying she had a fever, so I was stressed about needing to pick her up. That’s why I was frazzled.”
“You handle pressure well,” I say, watching her closely. “I wouldn’t say you were frazzled. Stubborn for sure.” I wink, trying to ease the tension.
“Well, I’m a redhead. I think by birthright I have to be.”
And she’s funny.I check Claire out, letting my eyes linger on her chest a moment longer than I have all night, then flick my eyes back to her face, captivated.
“How old is your daughter?” I ask, wanting to peel back the layers.
“She turned four a couple of months ago.”
Four.Claire looks about my age, maybe a couple of years younger. It makes me admire how she’s managed everything—the divorce, the move, being a single mom. She’s one strong woman.
“When did you move to Wisconsin?” I ask, although I already know.
“In January. Once the divorce was final, and we had our custody agreement locked in,” she says, her tone more guarded again.
“I’m curious, but I don’t want to press.”It wouldn’t be polite to grill her about this, although I want to know.
“Maybe in a couple of dates we can get more into all of that,” she says, and I nod, understanding.
More dates.I try not to smirk, excited about the idea of more dates. I don’t need all the answers right now, but I’m already thinking ahead–our next date.
“So you want to go out with me again?”
Claire takes a bite of her gnocchi.
“Are you trying to get yourself some more time? Or just trying to make me nervous?” I tease.
She laughs, covering her mouth.
“I don’t have that much free time.”
“Aaron said something about you getting the week off.”
“Did he?” I nod, and she smiles. “I’m free tomorrow, Saturday, and half of the day on Sunday.”
“I work tomorrow night. The barge setting off fireworks could catch fire. I’ll be manning the fireboat. How do you feel about a morning date?”
“You want to see me tomorrow morning?” Claire sounds too surprised.
“Yes.”
She’s smiling, but she isn’t saying anything.
“No pressure,” I add, trying to give her an easy out. “I’m sure you want to just chill by yourself too.”
“I like walking on the lake path and haven’t done it enough this summer. Want to go for a morning walk?”
