“Not now. I need to get ready. We can talk in the car. If you leave me alone, then I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.”
Tony silently laughed at her sense of empowerment. Mockingly, he bowed, blew her a kiss, and left the room. Once the door closed completely, he allowed the small rumble of his amusement to come to life.
Leaning against one of the grand doors, Tony waited. It had been almost thirty minutes since he’d left Claire’s suite before he looked up to see her descending the main staircase. He remained still as he scanned her from head to toe. As much as he appreciated appearance and perfection, there was something about the recently-awakened Claire that he longed to see again. Once she reached the marble floor, he straightened and said, “You look amazing—as usual. Is that an outfit you brought or one from the closet?”
“One I brought. The closet seems silly. I’m leaving in three days.”
“You refused to take a credit card, so I hired someone to shop for you.” He shrugged. “You may decide to wear some of those clothes to our other public functions.”
Claire came to a stop and looked up defiantly. “Tony, I’m not falling into that same trap. I don’t want the media accusing me of reconciling with you for your money.”
He hadn’t thought of that. It wasn’t what he was trying to do; nevertheless, he understood her trepidation. Attempting to reassure her, he said, “Tonight there won’t be media, just friends.”
Claire exhaled and her shoulders slumped.
“What’s the matter?”
“Are you sure they want me there? I would rather face the media than your friends, considering what they think I did.”
Tony grasped her hand. “I promise. I’ve spoken to everyone, most in person. I spoke to Mary Ann and Eli on the phone.”
“And…?”
“And they understand. I was distraught, but we’re reconciling.”
Tony placed his arm around her waist as she closed her eyes and exhaled.
“It will be all right. This is supposed to make tomorrow and the wedding easier.” As he led her outside, he asked, “You do want to be at the wedding, don’t you?”
“I do,” she said, as her eyes widened. Tony followed her gaze. He couldn’t blame her reaction: she was seeing his newest car for the first time. It was a Lexus LFA. There was no question, that other than Claire, cars were his passion. This little two-seat super car with a V-40 valve V-10 was no exception. He opened the door and she lowered herself into the bucket seat. When he got in and grinned, Claire said, “This is a very nice car. Would you mind not going too fast?”
“It can do zero to sixty in three point six seconds.”
“I believe you, but do you remember my reaction to the bacon the other day?”
He did and Catherine had said she was shaky. “Yes.” He frowned. “Are you still not well?”
“I’m not back to myself.”
“Maybe you should see a doctor.”
“I have an appointment in a few weeks.”
After they began the drive, Tony looked to his right. Claire had her head laid back and eyes closed. Sick or not, they had things they needed to sort through before they arrived at the Bronsons’. Turning down the radio, he said, “We need to discuss your behavior for tonight.”
Claire opened her eyes and looked in his direction. “Tony, I wouldn’t be here—of my own free will—if I didn’t completely comprehend my behavior. Don’t patronize me. I’ve done this dance before.”
“Are you implying that when you were with my friends in the past, it was a performance?”
“No. I’m saying that there were times I wasn’t happy with you, but no one knew.”
Looking her way, he asked, “You aren’t happy with me?”
Her petite hand reached over and covered his. “Tony, we’re doing what you want; it’s a performance. I can’t say I don’t want it to be real, but for now, it isn’t. Let’s not add unnecessary layers to this charade.”
As he listened to her words, something gave him hope. “So there’s a part of you—I’ll settle for a small part—that wants what we’re about to do to be real?”
She exhaled. “Yes, Tony, a small part of me wants us to be real.”
Tony relaxed against the leather interior and enjoyed the bends and curves of the country roads. He would’ve loved to have pushed the gas pedal harder and watched the speedometer climb. It gave him an undeniable rush; however, for now, he’d take the adrenaline that came from the woman in the seat beside him. As they conversed about nothing, he contemplated his friends. Tony wanted the night to go well, for Claire. Of course, he’d laid himself on the line for this, too. Truthfully, he wasn’t even sure how Sue would react when they arrived. Looking to his right, he wondered if Sue was as good at hiding her true emotions as Claire. When they neared Tim and Sue’s home, he slowed the car and said, “Perhaps we should review the rules.”
Once again, Claire closed her eyes, laid her head back, and exhaled. Her next sentence came with no emotion. “Maybe I could save us some time and summarize? Do as you say, no public failure, and don’t divulge private information.”
“Are you summarizing or mocking?”
“For the sake of argument, I’ll call it summarizing.” He didn’t dare look her way; he could hear the sparks of fire crackling below the surface. Claire continued, “As I said earlier, I’ve done this before. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but I’m perfectly capable of doing as you wish.”
“No, Claire, I haven’t forgotten your abilities. I just need confirmation that we’re on the same page as we enter the Bronsons’ home.”
“Tell me the number, and I’ll turn right to it.”
With the car now stopped along the shoulder of the country road, Tony reached for Claire’s chin and turned her glaring green eyes toward him. In the split second before he spoke, he remembered the envelope. Clenching his jaw, he searched desperately for his calmest tone. The end result slowed his words. “I believe I’m tiring of the sexy, bold, and cheeky.”
“Then stop this charade.”
He maintained his hold and reminded himself again. Exhaling, he asked, “May I please have reticent and genteel while in the presence of others?”
The green fire ebbed. With a faux Georgia accent, she responded, “Why, Mr. Rawlings, your wish is my command.”
As she mocked him with her fluttering lashes, his heart raced, and the temperature inside the car rose exponentially, gluing Tony’s hand to her chin. He couldn’t let go and release that green stare if he tried. Unconsciously, he leaned toward her and commanded, “Kiss me.”
He hadn’t meant to say it with such need, but it was true. He needed a release, and lashing out wouldn’t get him the results he desired. Thankfully, she didn’t protest. Obediently, her eyes closed, lips parted, and their mouths united. Fire ignited as their hands sought what only the other possessed. If it weren’t for the damn seatbelts, Tony would have forgotten that they were on the side of the road, only a mile from his vice president’s home. When reality struck, he leaned back and confessed, “If we weren’t expected at the Bronsons’ any minute, I’d like to put more effort into exploring the wish-and-command possibilities.”
To his surprise, Claire leaned her head against the seat and laughed. Seeing her genuine smile, the threat of red, the tension, and the nervous energy slipped away. It wasn’t until she said, “I’m nervous to see all of them again,” that he realized how truly difficult this was on her. He’d tried to pave the way, but he’d also been the one to set up the roadblocks.
One more time, he reached for her chin, but without the earlier tension. Tony wanted nothing more than to help. “There may be questions—personal questions. This isn’t the press. They’re people who know me—know us—and they’re going to want to know what happened.”
Claire nodded.
“I’ve given this scenario a lot of thought. We both know that we can’t be one hundred percent truthful.”
“Obviously,” Claire murmured.
/>
Tony cleared his throat. “Like I said, we need to be on the same page. I contacted you while you were in prison—”
“You did no such—”
His darkening gaze stopped her protest, as his baritone voice dropped an octave, slowing his words. “We must be together on this. No one’s going to believe that this just happened. We have to let them think that it’s been in the works for a while. Besides, that’s what the press release said. We need to create a believable history.”
Claire sucked in her cheeks, pursed her lips, and lowered her chin. Turning toward him, she said, “Fine, you’re the master of deception, what’s our believable history?”
“I contacted you at the prison—first by letter, and eventually, I began to visit.” He waited for her rebuttal. When none came, he went on, “Initially, we were both upset—and hurt. After all, I believed you tried to kill me, and you believed I abandoned you.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she agreed. “All right, abandoned is appropriate.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing, “Communication—we began talking. I realized that it was all a misunderstanding. Despite the evidence, you convinced me that you weren’t responsible.”
“Then who?”
“We may never know. There had been some deliveries and some new groundskeepers had been hired. Perhaps it was a business rival—we’ll probably never know. The clues are long gone and the police concentrated on the wrong person.”
With each comment, Claire’s gaze mellowed.
Tony continued, “I personally went to Governor Bosley. He attended our wedding, and in the past, I’d done him some favors. He agreed to your petition for pardon. Since then…” Tony continued weaving a history that his friends would accept. Slowly, he saw Claire’s stance relax and her gaze become more accepting. It seemed that Claire, too, wanted this evening to go well. Was it because there was a small part of her that wanted it to be real, or was it because she was afraid of the consequences if she didn’t? Tony prayed it was the former.
Upon opening Claire’s door, Tony looked into her nervous expression. “I’m not leading you into the den of lions,” he whispered.
“No,” she sighed. “You’ve already done that.”
“This time I won’t leave you,” he promised. “I’ll stay by your side, and you won’t be alone.”
Nodding, Claire grasped his extended hand. Their fingers intertwined as they approached the stately home. He leaned down. “I’d hoped seeing everyone here first would be easier than seeing them for the first time in a crowd.”
“It probably will be; nevertheless, I think I’m going to be ill.”
He pulled her to a stop and searched her face under the darkening sky. “Your color looks good. You look amazing. I promise,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I’m right here.” His grin broadened. “A man of my word.”
Claire reached up and kissed his cheek, sending a wave of warmth through his entire body. In her voice he heard true gratitude. “Thank you.” He didn’t deserve it; Tony knew that. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to hear.
Before they pressed the doorbell, Tim opened the door. With Sue by his side, he politely offered a greeting, “Welcome to our home, Tony, Claire.”
Tony glanced to Sue. She motioned toward their sitting room and said, “Please come in.”
Everyone was there—all of Tony’s closest friends. Six pairs of eyes stared as the room fell deadly silent, and Claire tightened her grip of his hand. Tony was about to speak when Courtney placed her wine glass on the table and walked toward them. It was as if she didn’t see Tony, as her blue eyes glassed over with tears. Suddenly, Claire was engulfed in Courtney’s embrace. He had no choice but to release her hand.
All of his work to prepare Claire was a waste of time. The two women were hugging, crying, and holding on to one another for dear life. Tony watched in horror, as one by one, the other women joined the hugfest until Claire was surrounded. Helplessly, he watched as all of the women disappeared into the kitchen. It wasn’t until Tim slapped him on the shoulder and said, “It’s a good thing,” that Tony released the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.
The advantage to dating women whom you cared nothing about was the lack of drama. While Claire was gone, he never brought anyone around his friends; there was no need. Now that he had Claire back with the few people in the world whom he respected and valued, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he’d never figure out women. They were far too complicated.
The evening progressed exceptionally well. Most of the time when Tony looked to Claire, she was by his side, saying or doing the perfect thing. At one point, Tony realized that both Claire and Brent were missing. Remembering Brent’s icy response from less than a week ago, Tony’s heart beat quickened as he searched. Courtney saw his concern and joined him. Together, they found Brent and Claire in the kitchen simply discussing California. When Courtney asked Claire for her cell number, Tony filled with relief, seeing that his friends were truly supporting his decision.
It wasn’t until Brent announced that he and Courtney needed to leave, that Tony asked to have a private talk amongst the four of them. Suddenly, Claire’s performance faltered. She seemed anxious. Why could she talk to them in the house, but feared being alone? Tony wanted to reassure her that it was all right, that his friends were already helping her more than she knew.
As they thanked Tim and Sue for hosting the dinner, Sue asked, “Could you please wait just a minute?” Without waiting for an answer, she hurried away toward the stairs.
Puzzled, Tony looked down to Claire and heard Courtney say, “I think she’s going to get Sean. He’s upstairs with the nanny.” Claire didn’t verbally respond, but her eyes did. He’d seen that look before, questioning, asking. He shrugged and Claire turned to Courtney. “Can you stay for a few more minutes? I know you have a lot to do, and Tony wants to talk—”
“Oh, honey,” Courtney replied, “I always have time for babies. Wait until you see him!”
While they waited for Sue to return with Sean, Tony remembered Sue’s initial reaction and realized what a big step this was for her. Obviously, even without that knowledge, Claire recognized it. When Tony refocused, Courtney and Brent were talking about grandchildren. Moments later, Sue appeared with a pajama-clad Sean. The last time Tony had seen their son had been at his birthday party. Kids’ parties weren’t really Tony’s thing, and he hadn’t stayed long, but the kid was cute with blonde hair like his mom’s. Tony met Sue’s gaze and nodded approvingly, before she turned toward his ex-wife. “Claire, I wanted you to meet Sean. I’m sorry. This is past his bedtime, and the poor little guy is getting tired.”
“Hello, little guy, it’s nice to meet you.” Claire’s voice sounded high. Tony wondered why normal adults talk strangely around kids, when she asked, “He’s what—about fifteen months?”
“Almost.” Sue smiled. “He’s so much fun, getting into everything and learning new words every day.”
When Tim stepped forward, Sean put out his arms, and Tim swung him into his embrace. “Believe me,” Tim added, “it makes you think about every word when little ears are listening.”
Tony thought it seemed like a lot of undue stress. He’d spent enough time thinking about what to say with Claire. Her emotion-filled voice refocused his thoughts as she patted the kid’s head. “Thank you. I think you might have some difficulty getting him back to sleep.”
Once they were out by the cars, Tony squared his shoulders and addressed Claire, Brent, and Courtney. It was time for Claire to understand that he was taking her requests seriously, and he believed it would sound more sincere if she heard it from Brent. Tony began, “I’m doing my best to be honest with Claire, and I expect the same from her.” He wished she didn’t look so nervous. “That’s why I thought we should get this out in the open.”
Claire interjected, “Tony, I think the Simmonses need to—”
“This won’t take long.” Tony turn
ed to Brent. “I’ve trusted Brent with many things through the years. That’s why I wanted him to be the one to tell you about his progress regarding your brother-in-law.”
“Yes,” Brent said, expelling a breath. Tony knew they had a lot to do for the wedding and rehearsal, but this was important. Brent went on to explain that some new information had come to the attention of the New York State Bar Association, and John’s case would soon be coming up for review. If all went well, the result would be the reinstatement of his license to practice law. As Brent spoke, Tony watched Claire’s eyes glow and glisten.
She sprung up and clapped. “Oh, thank you! Thank you, Brent. Thank you, Tony. I won’t say a word. When will you know if it will be up for review?”
Brent answered, “It’ll take a few months, and I should be kept apprised of updates.”
Tony offered his hand to Brent. “Thank you.” He shook Brent’s hand. “I apologize for delaying your departure, but I wanted Claire to hear it from you.”
Courtney smiled enthusiastically. “That’s all right; however, now we really need to go. I’m so glad this was good news.” Reaching out for Claire’s hand, she continued, “Now, you need some rest. Tony’s right—you’ve had too many things thrown at you. Look how emotional you are.”
Claire nodded. “We’ll see you tomorrow night, and before then, I’ll call you.”
Tony grasped Claire’s hand, and they walked back to the car. As he opened her door, he bent down and whispered, “A man of my word.”
She smiled all the way to her emerald eyes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, I really mean that.”
Through the high beams of the Lexus’ headlights, the country roads wound like a ribbon over hills and between open fields. Tony squeezed Claire’s knee, bringing her back from wherever she had been. He’d been explaining the whole reinstatement process, yet she seemed a million miles away. Tony went on, “There are so many levels and so much bureaucracy that it takes longer than you would expect, but Brent thinks it can be resolved before the end of the year.”