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She didn’t say a word.
When the silence dragged on to the point of being uncomfortable, he got to his feet. “We should be going.”
She got to her feet, and before he knew what was happening, she threw herself into his arms. She hugged him tightly. His arms automatically wrapped around her. And he buried his face in her hair, breathing in the gentle floral scent, the scent that he used to know so well.
When they pulled apart, Clara gazed up at him. “Thank you for that.”
“We’re okay, then?”
She mustered up a smile. “We’re okay.”
He breathed out a sigh of relief and smiled back. “Does that mean I don’t have to call a taxi?”
“As long as you don’t mind another ride in my pink convertible.”
“Um, no. Not at all.”
She laughed. “You really don’t hide your dislike of my car very well. I think your brother is going to beat you at poker.”
It was good to have his old friend back. As they made their way back to the office, they talked like old friends again. He’d forgotten how much he enjoyed listening to her. She’d been his best friend, always able to finish his sentences.
And in that moment, he wondered if it was possible to piece together their romantic relationship. He glanced over at Clara as the wind tousled her golden locks. Was he pushing his luck? Probably. But could he just turn his back on her and walk away again without at least trying?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Inthefollowingdays,Andrew couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for them to have a do-over. He’d made a point of stopping by her office once a day with a coffee in hand.
It was just after lunch on Wednesday when he stepped into Clara’s office. Brooke glanced up and smiled. “No coffee today?”
“I thought it was time for a change.” He held up a nondescript brown bag and lowered it to her desk to reveal a pint of ice cream. “Is she around?”
Brooke nodded. “You’re in luck. She’s just about to leave for Gabi’s Posies.”
“Excuse me?”
A big smile lit up Brooke’s face. “Sorry. It’s a florist.”
“Gotcha. I better hurry. Can I go in?”
“Sure. If you don’t mind me saying, she’s lucky to have someone like you in her life.”
“It’s me who’s the lucky one.” He meant it with every fiber of his being. He treasured this second chance with Clara. He just wished it hadn’t taken something so severe to make him see what he was missing in life.
Clara’s door was open, but her back was to him. Her head was bent as though she was looking at her feet. He followed her line of vision, finding her wearing pink heels. Interesting.
He rapped his knuckles on the wood door. She spun around. She smiled and signaled him to come in. “Hi. I wasn’t expecting you. Did I forget an appointment?”
“No. But I thought I’d drop off the list of names for the bachelor party.” He watched as she quickly slipped off the heels and placed them in a box on her desk.
“A new purchase?”
“The shoes?” When he nodded, she said, “They’re not mine. A designer sent them over for Tula’s wedding, but they didn’t work out. When I tried to return them, the designer claimed they were used and wouldn’t take them back. Now I’m not sure what to do with them.”
“Sounds to me like they’re yours now.”
“Mine? But what would I do with them?”
“Whatever you want. After all, they’re your favorite color.”
