Claire’s grin caused her eyes to twinkle; the fire now glowed behind the green. “You’re very kind to leave work just to assist me. Maybe, I do need some help.”
He seized her hand as she started to push her chair away from the table. “I’m here to assist, anyway I can.”
She leaned closer to his ear, “What would your boss say about you playing hooky?”
“My job definition is open to outside security.”
“Oh, so you’re providing me with security?” She smiled, looking back at Phil sitting with a sandwich and tea. “Should we tell Phil to take the afternoon off?”
Harry shrugged, “I don’t think it’d do any good. Now Ms. Nichols, what assistance do you need?”
Claire felt her cheeks flush, “Well, maybe from here to the condo, we can think of something?”
The Brazilian restaurant offered amazing cuisine with impeccable service. Keaton, Amber’s friend, held his own in their small crowd. He jumped right in, as the conversation moved from person to person. Claire enjoyed hearing her brother-in-law banter jokingly with the others. Her shoulders relaxed realizing the stress she used to feel whenever John and Tony were together was now gone. Maybe that old feeling was what had been bothering her.
Harry laughed as Emily questioned Claire’s diet. “Why are you so hungry?”
Claire smiled... perhaps her afternoon activity had helped return her appetite. “I guess I really like this restaurant.”
Emily couldn’t see Harry’s hand squeezing Claire’s dress covered knee.
After the waiter cleared the dishes from their main course, Claire noticed glances, bemused smiles, and nods between Amber, John, and Emily. Her curiosity got the better of her, “What’s going on?”
Amber raised her glass of wine and said, “I’d like to propose a toast.”
Claire obediently lifted her Chianti filled goblet and listened, “To Claire,” the temperature of the room rose as Claire felt self-conscious at the sudden attention. Amber went on, “The past three months, well almost three, have changed Harry’s and my lives. We’ve not only found a good friend, but learned about life in the spotlight.” Everyone giggled. She continued, “You’ve done more than that. You’ve brought others to our life. Thank you.” Everyone sipped their wine. Amber continued, “Now to John and Emily. When Claire spoke to me about your visit, I was thrilled to have you stay with us, for her. But as the two of you know, it’s become more than that. Here is to a long relationship between us and more importantly, between you, John, and SiJo Gaming.” Again glasses went to lips.
Claire’s glass didn’t move. Her stomach lurched; she had to ask, “What does that mean?”
Emily leaned toward her sister; their shoulders touched, “It means we’re moving to Palo Alto.”
Claire glanced around the table still in disbelief. Amber continued, “John and I spoke about the possibility of him working for SiJo. I called an emergency meeting of the board yesterday and they agreed. SiJo needs someone to spearhead our investment division. Diversifying is essential and we’re lacking. Claire, your brother-in-law is very intelligent and I’ll be forever grateful that we’ve met.”
Stammering, Claire looked at the wide eyes around her. Turning to Harry, “You’re on the board, you knew about this?” He nodded. Looking to Emily she asked, “Did you go to San Francisco today?”
Emily shook her head, “No, we spent the day at SiJo. John had paperwork to complete and people to meet.”
Claire placed her glass on the linen covered table and exhaled, “So why’d everyone know about this but me?”
Staying quiet during this personal conversation, Keaton interjected, “I didn’t know.”
Claire smiled a weary smile, “Wow, I’m shocked.” Tears filled her eyes as she turned to Emily. “I never dreamt we’d be together again.”
Emily embraced Claire’s shoulders. “Honey, we’re thrilled. Are you all right with this?”
She nodded into Emily’s shoulder. The entire table laughed as Harry patted Claire’s back.
Emily whispered, “You’re so emotional. Are you sure you’re on board with this?”
Claire sat up and wiped her eyes with the napkin from her lap. “Shocked, that’s all.” Then as she beamed at everyone she added, “It’s a very good shock! Thank you, Amber, and welcome, Emily and John. When are you moving?”
John answered, “We have some things to do in Indiana. A few legal hoops to jump through, but we’re hoping to be here by the first of July.”
Claire leaned back, rested her head against Harry’s shoulder, and settled into his comforting embrace. When she refocused on the table, she saw everyone’s questioning looks. Oh, that’s right, they don’t know about us. She thought as she glanced up at Harry and grinned. He shrugged and remained quiet. Claire followed his lead and allowed conversations to resume.
Back at the condo Amber, John, Emily, Harry, and Claire relaxed in the kitchen before retiring for the night. Claire was coming to terms with her family living near. “Near, not in the same condominium,” John smirked.
“I’ll be glad to start the search for your new place, if you’d like,” Claire offered.
Changing the subject, Amber announced, “Liz submitted your names to the National Center for Learning Disabilities Gala today.”
Claire didn’t know if the statement made her bristle due to the mention of Liz’s name or the apprehension regarding SiJo’s and Shedis-tics’ shared table. “I still don’t have a dress.”
“Oh, I’ll help you with that tomorrow, if you’d like.” Emily offered. Claire nodded enthusiastically. Yes, she’d like having her sister near.
Amber continued, “And Liz also gave me the names of everyone at your table.”
Both Claire and Harry stiffened.
Amber smiled and said, “I didn’t recognize any of them.”
Claire and Harry exhaled together.
Emily looked at the two of them, “You two are scaring me. You’re breathing in unison.”
Claire realized the cause of her recent headaches. She hadn’t really talked to Emily about Tony since she’d had dinner with him. That was the argument Claire had been anticipating. Emily knew she and Tony had a few discussions, but even on the phone, the subject caused tension. The only time Emily or John were open to discuss Tony was in the context of revenge.
The only person who knew Claire’s mixed emotions: the way she hated Tony and still loved him, the way she pitied him for the tragic loss of his parents at a young age and became exasperated by him every time he foiled her plans, was Courtney.
Harry knew about Claire’s requests, no demands of Tony, regarding her friends and specifically John’s law license. Nevertheless, Claire found it difficult to discuss any amicable or enlightening interactions with Tony with the people around her. To them, Anthony Rawlings was a monster. Claire realized she could also see him that way. However, she knew it wasn’t the entire person, only one side of the multidimensional man.
With Claire lost in thought, Amber responded to Emily’s statement, “SiJo shares a table at the gala with a local company, Shedis-tics; it’s a subsidiary of Rawlings. In the past Claire’s ex has attended this event. We were waiting to submit SiJo’s attendees until we knew if he were attending.”