"Then you should give it back," Claire said.
"Hell, no!I'm not stupid.”
Claire stared at the bag for a moment—the same one that he'd used to deliver the Nancy Chen CD.She'd thought it odd when he asked to have it back the following day, when they'd met for lunch a second time.The same black gift bag had found its way back to her desk multiple times.Each time she rifled through layers of brightly colored tissue to find something different.Not anything serious or of great expense.And somehow, he never failed to deliver an item that had been mentioned in their lunch time conversation the day before.
"Any guesses?"Molly asked.
"We talked about so many things yesterday.I have no idea."
"You've had lunch together every day for almost two weeks,” Molly said.“What could you possibly still have to say to each other?"
"We're never at a loss,” Claire said.
"You've got to run out of words at some point."
Claire shrugged."Hasn't happened yet."
"So, what do you talk about?"
"Everything.Nothing.I don't know, Molly.What do you and Hamish talk about?"
"We don't waste time talking," Molly said.
Claire made a noise of disgust."Gross."
"The man is insatiable.And completely Viagra-free."
"Molly!Enough!"Claire said sharply.
Molly laughed.“I'm just teasing.So, are you gonna open it or not?"
"I'd kind of like to wait a little while."
"What?”Molly said.“The girl who opened all her Christmas presents early every year and then rewrapped them?"
"I've matured, Molly."
"You're sinking like a stone, Claire.Just open the damn thing.Or at least read me the card."
The cards were another playful game between them.Each one written in the same form.Just a restaurant, a time, and a quote from a famous movie.Claire had to guess the movie—no Googling allowed.She had until the server arrived to take their drink order to offer up her answer or else pick up the tab for their meal.He had yet to stump her, and even if he had, he’d still pick up the check.
Claire opened the card and read the details to Molly.
"One-thirty is kind of late for lunch, don't you think?"Molly said.
"This may surprise you, but we both have actual work to do."
"Is there a quote?"
"Now don't ruin it for me,” Claire said.“I want to figure it out on my own."
"You know I never know the answers," Molly said.
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,"Claire read aloud.
"Well, that should make you feel right at home.The man owns a gin joint.And we all know how you love your gin and tonic."
Gin and tonic.Gin and tonic.Calvin’s cocktail of choice, no matter the occasion.In all her noonday rendezvous with Jay, she’d yet to mention Calvin.Of course he'd crossed her mind.She thought about him at least once a day, triggered by something ridiculous like a silly pun made by a co-worker or an ad for his favorite brand of toothpaste.She longed to tell Jay everything—and she'd come very close.There'd been one afternoon when they'd found themselves side-by-side, back on their confessionalbenchas he'd jokingly dubbed it, when she started to share every guilt-ridden detail.But the words just wouldn't come.Once, Jay made a comment about the mystery ring she wore in Jamaica.She dismissed it at the time, and they laughed and quickly moved on to another topic.Thinking back now, she could see it was less of a passing comment and more of a nudge.
