They made a quick stop at the hotel to retrieve his tuxedo jacket before flagging down a cab.Jay's hand had once again found hers and he rubbed her thumb with a gentle, soothing touch.The gesture gave Claire a soft reassurance that she hadn't crossed a line with her after-dinner discussion of his recent loss.It also trapped her in a web of guilt.She’d yet to utter Calvin’s name.Maybe that was for the best.
“Let me warn you now—the Taj Mahal it’s not.”He glanced at her as the cab stopped in front of a gorgeous converted red-brick mansion.“This is the opposite of judging a book by its cover.”
“Really?It looks magnificent.”
“It’s a tiny apartment I keep for business travel,” he said.“I can’t emphasizetinyenough.But it’s clean, convenient, and all I need.”
They took the elevator up to his floor and he ushered her inside his flat.
"Well, this is it.A little bare bones," he announced.
"If this is your idea of tiny, then let me just say that I live in a rabbit hutch in comparison."She stepped out of her heels and dropped her jacket and purse in a neat pile on a sleek gray settee.
"Something to drink?"he asked, loosening his tie.
"No, thank you."
“Tea?Coffee?Anything?”He removed his jacket and tossed it over the back of his sofa, then emptied the contents of his pockets onto the coffee table—wallet, keys, phone, and the like.
“Stop wasting time, Avery.Just bring on the goods like you promised,” she demanded playfully.
“Wow, you make one little offer of free product…” he said with an eye roll.
Jay motioned with his hand, and Claire followed him down a short hallway lined with three doors.
“You’re not about to make me engage in outdated game show antics, are you?”
“Would I do that?”Jay pressed a hand to his chest, his face full of mock disbelief.
“Yes,” she shot back.“In a heartbeat.”
He grinned.“Go ahead and take a look behind Door Number Two.”
Claire swung open the door.Behind it, she found the mother lode.An entire room, lined with floor-to-ceiling shelves, housing every Silver Screen product imaginable.
“Holy heck!”she marveled.“It’s like having your very own Ulta.”
“Except better.”He held out a couple of small bags stamped with the Silver Screen logo.“Let’s go trick-or-treating.No limit.Take whatever catches your eye.”
Claire moved slowly around the perimeter of the space, surveying each shelf.Jay leaned against the doorframe, his expression equal parts pride and enjoyment.After a minute, she selected a small box and dropped it in the bag.
“I’m all set.”She turned back to him with a smile.
“One mascara?That’s it?”His shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“I don’t really need anything else at the moment.”
“Do you know how many people would kill to be standing where you are right now?These are the perks, lady.Some of these items haven’t even dropped.”
“I know, but I just feel bad.Like I’m taking advantage of you.”
“It’s my treat,” he said.“Hey, I have an idea.You let me pick out some things for you while you make a goodie bag for your friend Molly.Maybe that will keep your guilt in check.Deal?”
“I think Molly’s already got the goods she wants.”
“She’s pissed, isn’t she?That we ditched the party and left her hanging?”
“Actually, she ditched us first—she and Hamish.”
