"I mean I wasn't bold.We christened nothing.Nothing happened.We fell asleep in the library and that's all.He was on one sofa and I was on another.We read for a while and talked, then we both fell asleep."
"You're kidding, right?"Molly asked, her tone flat.
"Do you honestly think I'd have my first full-blown intimate encounter with him in broad daylight?In a house full of people?Including my father?”
"So, you didn't sleep with him?”
"In the biblical sense?No.I'm sorry to disappoint you," Claire said.
Molly blew out a breath."I'm not disappointed, exactly.It's just that I'm anxious for you to, you know…”
"I know, Molly.And I love the fact that you're so concerned about my sexual well-being."
"I just don't understand how two people—two incredibly gorgeous, unattached people—have been able to be so resistant."
"It hasn't been easy, believe me."
"So, it's more a timing issue?"
"Exactly,” Claire said.
Molly sighed in defeat."Alright.Holler at me later and let me know about lunch.The boys are going skeet shooting today, so I'll be on my own most of the afternoon."
"I will,” Claire said.“I know my father is thrilled to be spending time out there with Hamish."
"They're thick as thieves, those two."
"Well, don't let them get into too much trouble,” Claire cautioned.
Molly laughed."I'm sure it's too late for that."
Isaac's meeting wrapped up surprisingly fast for a Monday, thus Claire arrived first.She ordered two waters and two glasses of wine, her eyes fixed on the door.The closing line of Jay’s most recent email sat front and center in her mind.With news of a big assignment on her desk, she’d have to make the most of their time together.
Jay entered the restaurant and spotted Claire.She stood to greet him, her insides already burning in anticipation of his touch.His hands rested on her hips, and he pressed his lips gently to hers.
"Now that we've spent the weekend together, I think we can forego the polite kiss-on-the-hand thing, don't you?"he asked.
"Definitely," Claire said in agreement.
A server approached to take their order.Their meals were delivered and for the next hour, they drifted into themselves, only breaking eye contact when forced to by the waitstaff.They replayed the events of their weekend in the country, laughing at the non-stop comedic stylings of Harry and Hamish.
"What sort of trouble are they getting into today?"
Claire rolled her eyes.“Skeet shooting.”
"And Molly’s there to supervise?”he asked.
“Someone needs to be.She took off the whole week.”
“When does your father fly out again?"
"Well, he was going to fly out later this week, but Hamish has convinced him to stay for a while longer.They haven’t spent good, quality time together in years.I'm sure they'll have a ball, as long as he doesn't overdo it.I might actually fly back with him."
"To Dallas?"Jay asked, surprised.
"Isaac’s sending me to the New York office to work on a project, not this week but next.I just found out this morning.I’m going to see if Anna can get me on my father’s flight so we can be together—at least until his connection at JFK."
"So, you’re definitely going to New York?"he asked.
