She extended her hand."I'm Anna Fairchild, Claire Jordan's assistant."
"Is everything alright?Is Claire okay?"Jay stood so fast he knocked his chair over.
"She’s fine.I didn’t mean to scare you.She was called into a last-minute meeting and won't be able to make it today.She asked that I give you this."
Anna held out an envelope.Jay took it, his eyes filled with intrigue.He studied his name, written in a script so perfect it could have been professionally printed.After a moment, he tucked the envelope into the pocket of his suit coat.
"Thank you so much for playing messenger,” he said.“May I offer you a drink?A glass of wine or something?"
"I'd love nothing more, but unfortunately, duty calls.I have to get right back."
"Will you tell Claire that I'll give her a call later?"Jay asked.
"Certainly."Anna nodded.“Enjoy your lunch.”
The woman turned and walked away.Jay pulled the envelope from his pocket.He tore it open and found a tasteful note card bearing her monogram.He laughed to himself as he read her short message.
Chez Claire - 7:30 p.m.
Dress code: casual
Text me for my address.
"There must be something between us, even if it's only an ocean."
Claire xo
CHAPTERTWENTY
CLAIRE
Claire eyed her reflection in the entryway mirror and quickly brushed her fingers through her hair.A nervous energy zipped through her as the designated time approached.Other than a short text confirming her address, she and Jay hadn’t spoken all day.She double checked her table setting.Elegant but not over the top, she decided.
Jay had never been to her flat.He'd never asked and she'd never offered, opting instead to wait for just the right moment.The fact that they were even meeting after sundown spoke volumes.They'd spent only daylight hours together since his return and filled the nights with phone calls.He’d suggested the arrangement, wanting their relationship to grow from more than the physical connection they’d initially shared.Over two weeks of lunches and laughter, Claire learned a great deal about the brown-eyed man from the West Coast—his likes and dislikes, his family history, his aspirations, and his regrets.Even so, she wanted to know more.
Her eyes shot to her watch when he buzzed the main door.Right on time.She took inventory of herself once more, happy with her choice of a fitted black sweater and jeans.She took a deep breath, let it out, then hurried downstairs to let him in, her face glowing with happiness.
"Punctuality is the politeness of kings," she announced after opening the door.
"And the courtesy of princes."He gave a slight bow.
She leaned against the doorframe, drinking him in from head to toe.Baseball cap.Blue jeans.A gray backpack slung over one shoulder.Casual Jay—a look she instantly approved.
"I worried you might not come."
"I almost didn’t, what with all the tales of your culinary disasters," he teased.
Jay followed her up to her flat.Inside, Claire hung up his jacket while he fished around in his backpack.He pulled out a bottle of wine and a yellow gift bag.
"What have you done?I purposely did not have Anna return the black one this afternoon because you have to stop with all these surprises."
"Well, it's not exactly a surprise.It's more like the missing piece of a puzzle."
"A puzzle?"
"I'll let you stew on it."He placed the bag on her coffee table."I wasn't sure what you'd planned in the way of this evening's menu.I played it safe and went with Chardonnay.You did say we’re dining atChez Claire, right?"
"French in name only, not in cuisine."
