Page 35 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

“Of all of his works?” Claude ponders for a moment, his nose scrunching as he thinks. “It’s a tie betweenThe ShiningandThe Dark Tower.”

Claude keeps me company as I put away the groceries, and we discuss the merits of King’s literary works. I’ve always had a thing for the macabre, and his work hits the fine line marrying the supernatural to horror. I’m excited to dive into the books Claude brought and see where the master of horror will take me next.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“A Coke would be great.” He takes a seat on the sofa while I snatch two cold sodas from the fridge.

He cracks it open and lifts it in salute.

I mirror the action and take a drink. Curiosity pulls at me when I sit beside him. “Where’s your brother?”

“Work, I assume. Heard him stomp down the stairs early this morning.”

I chuckle at the thought of Grant making extra noise to emphasize his mood. “Is he always such a grump?”

“Yeah.” Claude sips his Coke. “But you can’t blame him. His job takes a toll on him. Plus, he hasn’t been the same since his wife left twelve years ago.”

“He’s married?” I choke on the bubbles and my surprise.

“Divorced. Didn’t last long. She gave him an impossible choice—her or the job.” Claude shrugs.

“You didn’t like her, I take it?”

“Not at all, but I didn’t marry her.” Claude studies me with narrowed eyes. “What’s your story?”

“I don’t have a story.”

When I shift under his scrutiny, he smiles.

“We all have stories, Quinn.”

“Tell me yours first.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Well...” Instinctively, my gaze drops to his missing hand, and before I can correct myself, he sighs. “I wasn’t going to ask about your hand.”

“Everyone does.”

“I’m not everyone.” I lean my head against the sofa. “What I want to know is...” I bite my lip. “Are you single?”

Claude’s brows shoot up to his hairline, and he bursts with laughter. “Not what I was expecting.”

“That’s me in a nutshell.” I gesture to the length of me. “Not what you’d expect.”

“How true.” His eyes sparkle, and he rolls the can in his hand. “Yeah, I’m single.”

Surprise pierces me. “Why?”

“I’m not exactly top shelf.” His self-deprecating chuckle saddens me.

“Any girl would be lucky to have a guy like you, Claude.”

“Well, they’re not lined up around the block.”

“They should be. You’re sweet and thoughtful.” I nudge him with my knee. “I know there’s a handsome guy under that Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt and mop of unruly dark hair. Plus, you’ve got great taste in music and books.”

Claude laughs aloud. “You certainly know how to boost a guy’s ego.”

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