“Thank you.” She didn’t turn back around. She didn’t want him to see the tears cascading down her cheeks. The disappointment was staggering. Yet she did appreciate the offer of another chance.

About nine in Iowa, they went back to his office to try it again. To expedite the process, Claire looked to Tony and proclaimed she remembered the rules and wouldn’t fail. The phone began to ring on the speaker. It only rang once, when the voice of a woman on the other end answered, “Claire, is that you?”

Claire’s heart soared, “Yes, Emily, it’s me. Happy birthday, sis!”

Emily’s voice hadn’t changed. Claire could hear the excitement of their reunion coming through the speaker. “Thank you. Hearing from you is the best birthday gift I could get. Where are you? Are you all right? Why haven’t you called us?”

Claire looked from the phone to Tony and then back to the phone. Tony’s eyes spoke volumes. “Hey, slow down. I have a new job that keeps me very busy, but I couldn’t miss talking to you on your special day. How are you doing? How is John? How is his law firm?” She’d done it. She succeeded in getting Emily to talk about them.

Emily said she was fine. School had recently started, and she thought this was going to be a good class. John was fine, just very busy. The law firm was good, he’s an associate now and the more hours he billed the better chance he had of making partner. Claire could have spoken with her for hours. They had so much catching up to do. Instead, Claire apologized and told her she needed to run. She loved her and please give John her love. Emily said she would, but that John was right there and would like to talk to her. Claire looked at Tony. His eyes darkened and he shook his head no. Claire said she would like to, but another time, she really needed to run. “Have a great birthday. Bye.” Tony pressed the disconnect button.

Claire stared at the telephone for the longest time. This was one of those junctures. She could be sad that the conversation was short or she could chose to be happy that there had been a conversation. She decided to pick B.

Standing to leave Tony’s office, she looked up to see him leaning back in his chair. He watched her as he unbuckled his belt. She realized that in his mind he’d shown a kindness, now he expected gratitude, quid pro quo.

  If life were predictable it would cease to be life,

andbewithoutflavor. —Eleanor Roosevelt

 Chapter 15

“We have been invited to a Labor Day barbeque tomorrow.”

Sitting on the sunporch, reading her new novel, and enjoying the Sunday afternoon, Tony’s casual announcement surprised Claire. The warm gentle breeze and faint smell of cut grass gave way to a rush of anxiety and disbelief. “We? Who would invite me?”

“Courtney, Brent Simmons’ wife,” Tony said while lounging on the loveseat with his laptop on his outstretched legs. His light brown eyes gazed at Claire as she questioned him.

“Why? What does she know about me?”

“Well, Brent met you when I brought you to New York, and Courtney knows I have been seen with the same woman on multiple occasions. Since they are probably my closest friends, she wants to meet you and invited both of us to tomorrow’s barbeque.”

Despite her sudden rush of anxiety at meeting his closest friends, Claire knew her fate wasn’t in her hands. “Are we going?”

“Yes. It starts at noon, and we will leave here by eleven thirty.”

“I guess it sounds like fun.” Her tone was tentative. She wondered what these friends would think of her, if they would know him well enough to know the truth about her. If they didn’t, how should she act? Her stomach began to knot with unanswered concerns. “Please let me know if there are different instructions for an intimate barbeque versus a public event.”

Tony set his laptop on the table and contemplated Claire’s honest question. His words sounded instructive, but his tone wasn’t authoritative, just matter-of-fact as they looked at one another. The late summer breeze caused strands of her long golden brown hair to float around her beautiful face. Her green eyes saw only him as her expression reflected her sincere interest in his advice. “You have done well at public events, this will be different. I believe there will be four or five couples present. You met Brent. His wife is Courtney. They have two children who are grown and live away. Brent’s law partner Thomas Miller will be there. His wife is Beverly. She owns a renowned design firm in Bettendorf. Brent is a few years my senior. Thomas and Beverly are closer to my age, they have no children. Another guest will be Elijah Summer and his long-time companion MaryAnn. Elijah is another client of Brent and Tom’s. He has made a fortune in the entertainment business. He enjoys telling stories about some of his more famous clients. Personally I believe he enjoys hearing himself talk,” Tony paused and smiled, “much more than I like to hear him talk. And the last couple will be Timothy Bronson and his wife Sue. Tim is a junior vice president at my local office. He is young, but has proven himself. I asked Brent to invite him, make him feel involved.”

That was all helpful information, Claire desperately tried to remember names: Brent and Courtney, Thomas and Beverly, Elijah and Sue . . . no, Elijah and Mary Ann, Timothy and Sue. But that really didn’t answer her question. Claire thought to herself there were wives and long-time companions, what did that make her? “Tony, who am I?”

“You are a rumor.” Perhaps it was the calm setting of the sunporch or their recent understanding, whatever the reason, Tony spoke thoughtfully. He explained that he had spent his entire life working, accomplishing goals, and fulfilling self-made agendas. He’d been in relationships, but most were very short-lived. He believed strongly in appearances and had not been willing to risk the perception that people have of him on a woman. Claire thought about his words and his honesty, and right or wrong believed him. “You told me that you would not betray my confidence.”

“I did, and I still mean that.”

“I believe you know what could happen if you did.” Feeling the prickling sensation that accompanies chills along your arms and legs, Claire believed she did know, but she didn’t confirm that verbally. She allowed Tony to continue talking. “And therefore I have allowed you to become part of my life.” She thought that he honestly meant that as a compliment and she should be flattered; however, the feeling felt more ominous. She wondered and worried about her release. This quiet peaceful setting wasn’t the time or place to voice her concerns. Instead, she decided to put it away and deal with it later. “Since you have been seen with me at various events and I am rarely seen with the same woman over time, you are a rumor. There have been countless speculations about you. Everyone, like the man at the benefit, wants to know who you are and what you are to me.”

Claire admitted to herself that she too would like the answer to those questions. “I saw our picture in a People Magazine that was in your library.”

He said that their picture had appeared in many publications. His publicist had kept information limited to the basics: her name and that she lived in Atlanta. The people at this barbeque were part of his inner circle and won’t betray his trust. Other than Elijah Summer, their jobs and livelihood depended on Tony. Elijah was a more public person, but he respected Tony and wouldn’t compromise their mutual relationship.

She tried one more time, “And I am . . .”

“Persistent.” His eyes were milk chocolate with a contented expression. He spoke as he moved from the loveseat to the floor of the sunporch. “Well, I would say more than an acquaintance.” Kneeling in front of her and gently spreading her knees, he moved his hand under the hem of her skirt. Their eyes met as the sides of his mouth turned upward into a devilish grin. “Shall we say companion?”