Page 35 of Signed With Love

Claire’s brow rises. Really?

Our conversation is cut short. “Hey, guys. I’ve brought you all some coffee.” Norma’s sweet voice sounds over us, and I shift her way, still holding Claire’s hand in mine.

Chapter Seventeen

Claire

I take another deep breath and allow the hint of cedar from the old booth we sit in to mingle with the maple syrup that floods the space. Waffles for lunch is fun, and remembering how much I love Jamison’s friends eases some of my nerves.

The restaurant is chaotic this afternoon, but everyone is completely at ease. They’re at home in this cozy but friendly restaurant. Rylee, with her gorgeous glow and bright eyes, is leaning into Chadwick as he charms her, I’m sure. She doesn’t seem to fall for it, but her body says she wants to be close to him. I’m not sure if it’s just comfort or something more, though.

The waitress walks away, and I sink back a bit into the booth. Jamison’s large body moves with mine until we are touching from our shoulders down to our knees. His arm rests on the wooden table, and he taps the straw against it.

How’s your dad? Chadwick asks when he knows I’m watching him, but I have to focus hard to read his lips. Jamison gives a signal he wants to sign, so I turn his way.

He repeats, How is your dad?

I smile and let Chadwick know, Dad is okay.

I’m certain the sign for “okay” is somewhat universal, but I use the more common okay that those who don’t sign know.

“I got that,” Chadwick mouths to Jamison and turns my way with a smile and a headshake. “She doesn’t need…” he continues, but I struggle to capture the last words.

I nod to him when he looks at me expectantly, but I have no idea what I agreed I don’t need. The smell of maple syrup and ground coffee hits me, so I turn toward the waitress, thankful for the distraction. She’s speaking to the table as she sets down the plates and drinks.

Black coffee and a large waffle with syrup is placed in front of me. Jamison’s waffle is piled high with whipped topping and strawberries. He looks at me once he realizes I’m shooting him a stern look.

I know things are happening around us, but sometimes it’s just Jamison and me in our little bubble, a bubble where I have his attention and we can just be us. Where I can share a look, he gives me a smirk, and we swap our plates. I grin back to him, and we share a laugh together.

That’s more like it, I sign.

He leans in and kisses my neck, a wave of warmth flooding me.

He leans back and signs, I’ll have to remember you like whipped cream and strawberries too. He winks at me, then turns his attention to his waffle. Jamison is a big man, his large body taking up most of the air around us in the booth. He has a presence about him that draws attention to us and our group.

A guy appears as we eat, so I look down to busy myself with my lunch. Talk about a sweet and perfect combination…I see why he ordered it.

Jamison sweetly rubs my arm, and I glance his way. He’s signing, This is Marty Ortega. He runs the bar in town. Wanted to say hello.

I summon a smile and wave hello.

Marty tips his head as a hello but also speaks. The words are lost to me. Hearing people never are as aware of their body movements. Well, other than Jamison.

Jamison signs, He said to stop by anytime. Enjoy your lunch.

This happens again and again. I’m sweating as everyone seems to want to meet the new woman at the table. The woman who is buried in the side of the man that means so much to them. You catch it in every story. How much the rescue team at this table has done for them. I get it, though; they saved my father too.

I sense someone’s gaze on me and look up to see Rylee watching with wide eyes. She glances to the right just as Jamison’s body tenses beside mine.

A gorgeous brunette walks up to the table. I cut my gaze to Rylee, who signs two letters: E and X.

I glance back at the brunette. Jamison’s ex says something, and for the first time, Jamison doesn’t translate. His body is tense, so I place a hand on his thigh. We haven’t reached the place where we’ve shared about our exes, so I have no idea how he feels about her. Does he still love her? Was it a mutual breakup?

All I know is he’s uncomfortable and doesn’t want to be here. I’ve never seen Jamison out of sorts before.

I read her lips. He expects you to be there tomorrow.

The wedding that Jamison invited me to is tomorrow. Is it her wedding? Doesn’t matter, because Jamison is expected to be there and said it would be easier if I was by his side.

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