"I won't worry about her so much now, knowing you're here," he whispered in Jay's ear.
"You can count on me, sir," Jay replied.
The old man released him after a warm pat on the back, taking his cane from Claire's hand.
"Keep an eye on her for me, Jay?"Harry spoke in a loud voice, shooting a look in Claire's direction.
Jay smiled."My eyes don't want to be anywhere else."
"Well, darling, I shall leave you to say your good-byes."He touched Claire's shoulder in passing.
"Be up in a minute," she said.“Careful on the stairs, okay?”
"Goodnight, Jay."Harry gave a nod and a slight wave."Safe travels tomorrow."
"Goodnight, sir,” Jay said.“And thank you."
Aided by his cane, Harry shuffled slowly inside, leaving Claire and Jay alone.They stood staring at each other for several moments.Her mind raced, curious if his thoughts about their impending goodbye mirrored her own.
"Your Ms.Wise was very smug all through dinner.You two aren't up to something, are you?"he asked.
Claire rolled her eyes."She was gloating because she won a bet with Hamish."
"A bet?"
"That you and Ileveled uplast night.Molly said it’s plastered on both our faces."
"Damn.She’s good,” he said.
Claire laughed."For the record, I neither confirmed nor denied.But it makes no difference.I can't hide anything from Molly.She knows me too well, and it's no use arguing with her.Once she's made up her mind, that's that.The celebratory chocolate ice cream was happening regardless."
"Celebratory ice cream?"he questioned."Inside joke?"
"Well, yes.It's pretty silly actually."Claire laughed again."The night I lost my virginity, Molly showed up at two in the morning with a princess crown, a bag of confetti, and chocolate Häagen-Dazs.She wouldn't leave until I replayed every clumsy, awkward detail of my encounter."
Jay nodded, then grinned."I hope the details weren't awkward or clumsy this time around."
"I think you already know the answer to that," Claire said.“But I assure you that the details remain between you and me.”
"Your father is a wonderful man."Jay threw his gaze toward her flat."I'm so sorry he's not feeling well."
"Me too.Standing and shooting clay pigeons all day did him no favors.He put on a brave front but he's hurting.The car ride back would have killed him.That's why I insisted he stay here tonight.I hope you're not upset that I?—"
Jay held up a hand."Don't even think about apologizing.I've really enjoyed spending time with him—Hamish and Molly too.These last few days with you and your family have been like an answered prayer, Claire."
"For me too,” she said softly.
He locked on her with serious eyes."I don't want to say good-bye to you."
"Then don’t get stuck in California like last time,” she said.“Promise me that you're really coming to New York."
"The minute I'm free," he reassured her."In fact, why don’t you let me take care of your hotel.”
“Avi’s covering everything.They’ll book my hotel.”
“Well, there are hotels and then there are hotels.Tell Isaac you’ll take care of your own hotel arrangements.How can he say no to saving the company a little money?Then, you can meet me at a little place that's the nearest thing to heaven."
"The Empire State building?"she questioned.
