JAY
Jay: She’s back.Everything’s ok.
Rob: What the hell happened?
Jay: Not sure.She was pretty upset.Soaked to the bone.She’s in the shower now.Should be out in a few minutes.
Rob: You don't know where she's been?What time did she come in?
Jay: A few minutes after I talked to you.Was on the phone with 911 when she got here.Not sure what happened.
Rob: Thank God she’s safe.Call me if you need anything.
Jay: Will do.
Two soft raps sounded, and Jay hurried to the door.Twigg stood in the hallway, a silver tray balanced carefully in his wrinkled hands, holding Irish coffees.Claire hadn’t made the request, but Jay wanted something warm waiting for her—something to help her relax.
“Is that coffee?”Claire asked softly.
She stood at the bedroom door in her own robe, her honey-colored hair twisted up in a towel.Distress still clouded her eyes.Jay stood ready to offer the one thing she needed most: an understanding, nonjudgmental ear.
“It is.I can make you the Irish variety, too, if you want.We can have it out here, or I can bring it in the bedroom if you like.”
“Out here’s fine.”
She joined him on the sofa.Jay broke the seals on two tiny bottles of Bailey’s and poured the creamy liqueur into steamy glass mugs.They sat quietly for several moments, sipping their drinks.He wanted to touch her—do anything he could to ease the pain in her eyes.Still, he kept his distance.Don’t crowd her.
She ran her finger around the rim of her mug, avoiding his gaze.“I know it’s customary to start at the beginning.”
“Look, Claire, we don’t have to talk about this right now if you don’t feel like it.I’m sure you’re exhausted.In fact, I know you are because I can see it in your eyes.You’re here, and you’re safe, and that’s all I need to know.”
“I got a phone call this afternoon, Jay.One I wasn’t expecting.”She looked into his eyes.“A ghost from Christmas past.”
His heart thumped.“I don’t understand.”
“The man I was involved with—the one who proposed to me.”
“He’s alive?”Jay's eyes widened with confusion.“I just assumed, after the way you spoke of the accident…”
“No, he’s alive,” Claire said.I didn’t say anything because it was easier not to.”
Jay blew out a breath.A call from her ex?The absolute last thing he expected to hear from her.How could a phone call have led to her missing their meet-up?And the concert?
“And he just called you, out of the blue?”Jay asked.
Claire nodded.“I knew he’d call eventually.I just never guessed how hearing his voice again would make me feel.”
Fear flooded every inch of Jay’s body, as if his entire world stood on the verge of collapse.Hours before he’d been yucking it up with the sales associate at the jewelry store.A little black box waited inside his coat pocket.
“And how does it make you feel?”he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Claire shook her head, tears returning.“Horrified.Guilty.Ashamed.Confused.”
Jay continued to breathe deeply, letting silence settle between them.He thought back to everything he had learned at Sienna Place.Claire had retreated into the shadows.Dr.Larson would have told him to move carefully—to be her safe haven, her strongest supporter, and to give her room to explore her emotions.
Claire set her mug on the coffee table and crossed the room.Standing at the large window, she looked down at Fifth Avenue for a moment, then her eyes fell closed, as if in silent prayer.
“I have a story to tell you, Jay…” she began.“I’m just not sure how.”
