There were over 300,000 hits. Her planned words were all true. Claire just wasn’t sure if she could talk to Tony, after what happened last night with Harry.
Thinking about last night ... and this morning... caused a smile to sneak onto her face, momentarily forgetting the blog. She lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, placed the iPad face down on the small table, and relaxed against the soft lounge chair.
Absorbing the sunshine, she recalled her night and morning. When she and Harry finally talked about what they’d done, Claire was reassured by their like mindedness. Neither wanted to jeopardize their friendship, and both thought they were comfortable with the additional benefits. After all, they’re both consenting adults.
Harry previously accused Claire of being distant regarding her past. If that were true, he was in another state. Until this morning, he’d kept his personal past hidden. Even Amber hadn’t mentioned anything.
After their morning’s use of Harry’s last condom, he wheeled the cart with coffee into the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, sipping coffee, wrapped only in a sheet with Harry once again dressed felt absolutely licentious. Despite all they’d done, the decadence was stimulating. She remembered peering at him over the rim of her coffee mug, secretly wishing he had more silver packets, and knowing their daily coffee chats would never be the same. She listened as Harry offered a small glimpse into his history:
He only had, had two serious relationships. He acknowledged other sexual encounters, but there were only two he considered girlfriends. One started in college and lasted three years. Claire listened, thinking that was longer than her time with Tony. The most recent lasted about a year and a half and ended a few months before Claire arrived in Palo Alto.
At first it surprised Claire she didn’t know any of this. Then she realized how little she knew about Harry’s past. He’d been very forthcoming regarding his work at SiJo and previous police work. But that was all in relation to his investigating skills with Tony.
This morning he told her about regular medical care and his belief that he was healthy and free of all communicable diseases. He even offered to have a routine check if it would ease Claire’s mind. He winked and his blue eyes twinkled when he mentioned with a clean bill of health and her on the pill, they could avoid the bothersome condoms. While Claire appreciated his candor, she wondered if this was what dating had become, the exchange of medical records. It wasn’t like she ever had a chance to consider that with Tony. And she had seen a doctor in prison, without a doubt, her medical record was clear. The pill – that was something worth considering.
As he volunteered a larger glimpse of his personal history, Claire wondered why she’d felt the pressing need to share her past despite knowing so little of his. She reasoned it was due to his help researching Tony’s past. After all, Harry hadn’t asked Claire to investigate his ex-girlfriend.
It was the name of Harry’s most recent girlfriend which caused Claire to twinge. She wasn’t sure what it meant. Could it be jealousy? She didn’t think so. However, not only had she met his ex, she’d talked with her. Now the more recent coolness she’d noticed from Amber’s personal assistant made sense: only months before, Harry and Liz had cohabitated.
“Do you find it weird working with her every day?” Claire asked.
“No. It’s over. We both know it. Besides she’s great at what she does.” Wow, that was an open ended statement, Claire thought. “And Amber doesn’t want to lose her, just because we had a thing.”
“That’s incredibly mature. Does she feel the same?”
“Well, I think so,” he shrugged. “We haven’t talked about it.” Looking closely over the rim of his mug with a look of disgust, he added, “Not everyone hires private detectives to follow their ex’s every move.”
That reminded Claire of Phil’s secret message from the night before. With everything else, she’d actually forgotten. Harry’s eyes widened with curiosity when she told him about the wine delivery and the note.
Taking her empty cup, Harry kissed her nose and said, “My, your list of admirers continues to grow. How did I end up being the one to stay the night?”
The idea of Tony or Phil staying made Claire uncomfortable. Mostly because she’d fantasized about one and hardly knew the other. But Harry’s tone made the blood rush again to her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she was blushing like a school girl. “Lucky, I guess, Mr. Baldwin.”
“I would have to agree.” His smile warmed her.
They also talked about her last night in San Diego. Despite Mr. Rawlings’ request (more of a mandate, Claire thought), to stop her discussions with Meredith, she had a scheduled meeting and planned to keep it. She planned to do what she’d told Tony – go on with the interviews but halt production. Recounting the sickening feeling of fear for Harry, Amber, John, and Emily, she believed this might just be the ticket to keep them safe. However, she did worry about Meredith’s reaction. Undoubtedly, she would want her article or articles published, preferably sooner than later.
Harry asked, “So would you mind company for the rest of your stay? I’ll make myself scarce while you and Meredith are working.” Claire smiled and remained silent. She liked his requests. They were so much nicer than decrees. Harry continued, “I think with all of your visitors, I should stay... for your safety.”
“Didn’t you say Tony’s plane went back to Iowa?”
“Yes.” He hesitated and then asked, “Does that mean your answer’s no?”
“It means you need a better reason.” Her eyes twinkled.
“How about, I want to?”
“That works for me. But maybe you could...” She raised her eyebrows.
This time his cheeks reddened, “Yes, I was thinking a stop at the drug store was in order.” Claire didn’t respond verbally, she just nodded.
*****
The vibration of her iPhone, against the glass surface of the small table, pulled Claire from her memories. She read the screen: TONY CELL.
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
—Charlotte Whitton
Chapter 27
TONY CELL, Claire read the words from her iPhone. She wanted to be the one to call him, but her memories faded into dreams as she lay on the sunlit lounge chair. Mindlessly, she realized her plate was gone and her tea was full. The vibration and ringing confirmed her earlier concern; Tony or Shelly must’ve seen Meredith’s blog. Claire knew she needed to meet his confrontation head-on. If she didn’t, she risked him flying back to San Diego. And seeing as how her sleeping situation had recently changed, that wouldn’t be good. After the fifth ring she squared her shoulders and swiped the screen.
“Hello, Tony.”
“Claire.”
She couldn’t determine his mood by his one-word response. “To what do I owe this honor? First a visit – now a call.” Claire tried in vain to sound nonchalant.
“It seems that your friend blogged about your impending disclosure.”
“Yes, I read that.”
“We discussed this yesterday. I was under the impression we’d reached an agreement.”
Claire reached up and touched the pearl dangling daintily from her neck. “As I recall our agreement states the articles won’t be printed, unless something happens to me or someone associated with me.” She attempted to maintain her businesslike tone. “I said I would go on with the interviews.”
Sarcastically he asked, “Tell me Claire, do you expect bodyguards for everyone? I’ll need a list of names.”