"Sorry."She kept shaking her head.
He snapped his fingers with a grin."I know… Claudia!"
"Wrong on all counts.”She folded her arms, frustration creeping in.“Do you give up,Mr.Avery?”
He held her gaze, his expression turning serious.Then he leaned in, lowering his voice to a tender whisper.His lips brushed her ear, sending a spark of electricity down her spine.
"I gave up when I decided not to comb the entire island of Jamaica in search of you,” he said.“Believe me, I thought about it.But now that I’ve found you again,Claire, I’m not giving up.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
CLAIRE
Adozen cabs sat waiting out front, so they were en route in record time.Conversation had yet to stall, like the night in the piano bar all over again.Claire could tell by the enormous smile on his face that he was really enjoying himself.Her heart thumped with anticipation.First gelato… and then what?
"That was some party,” Jay said for the second time.
"It was pretty fantastic.I think Hamish really enjoyed himself," Claire agreed.
“From what I saw tonight, your uncle specializes in enjoying himself— and always with beautiful women around him."
"He does have a reputation for wooing the ladies.Evidently, he has a certain air that women love,” Claire said.
"An air… or a bank account?"Jay questioned.
Claire laughed."A little of both.You mentioned earlier that you move in similar circles—with my uncle, I mean.Are you in finance too?”
“Alright, you caught me.To be honest, I’ve never even met your uncle.I was there as a guest of a business associate—as her plus one.”
Claire’s eyes widened.“Are you kidding me?You ditched your date?”
“Let me be one hundred percent clear here—it was not a date.It was business.I had no idea when I flew in this week that I’d be meeting with her.It just sort of fell into place at the last minute—tuxedo rental and all.Tonight was the only time we could sync our calendars, so we met up at the party.”
“You let her know we were leaving, right?”
“After the way we dominated the dance floor?I’m sure she figured it out.”
Claire searched his eyes.“Jay, tell me you’re kidding.You left that poor woman alone?—”
“Relax.She left the party well before I stalked—I mean, before Imet back upwith you,” he teased.
His eyes shone with something—Claire couldn’t put her finger on it.It had been months since their meeting in Negril and not only had he remembered her, but he’d also recognized her immediately.She’d certainly thought about Negril too, some of them filled with regret.Bolting from the outdoor patio when Jay went to take that phone call at the top of her list.
Their cab stopped in front of the hip dessert bar.He offered his arm and led her inside.
“Looks like word is out.”Jay sighed and surveyed the space, jam-packed with late night revelers.
“We could go somewhere else,” Claire suggested.
“It’s the best gelato in town.Totally worth it if you don’t mind waiting.”
They continued to make small talk until a table opened up.Jay moved quickly to secure it while Claire retreated to the ladies’ room.She’d borrowed Molly’s prized makeup setting spray and to her delight, her face still looked fresh.Wow!This stuff really is all-night-clubbing proof—even for a forty-year-old like me.She re-applied her lipstick then smiled at herself.
I have a feeling this night is gonna be full of smiles.
Jay stood when she arrived back at their table.They conferred for a minute then he queued up to place their order.Claire stayed at the table, her eyes locked on him.While she couldn’t see his face, she could see the faces of two young women behind the counter.Both were smiling and laughing with him.It made her heart swell with pride.She hadn’t imagined it back in Negril.Jay is a genuinely nice guy.
“Is everything okay?”he asked, placing a heaping cup of pistachio in front of her.“You’ve got a strange look on your face.”
