Page 41 of By The Book
Denz wasn’t sure what to expect when he arrived at the house post shower. Claire’s kiss had surprised him, but it wasn’t an unpleasant one, especially not when he thought about Tommy’s words about being her friend.
Claire was a smart woman. She knew his job, knew his situation and presence in town were temporary. If she was okay with kissing him, he certainly wasn’t going to stop her. He didn’t know a man who would.
He grabbed a bottle of wine on his way out the door to take as a gift because it seemed to be the thing to do when invited to dinner. On the porch, he tamped down a surprising case of nerves that appeared out of nowhere, reminding him of the time he’d asked Rachel Tolliver to the sixth-grade dance.
On the one hand, he could take Claire’s kiss at face value. She had been grateful that he’d helped out Tommy, and she’d expressed her thanks physically.
On the other hand, he could take it as a sign the filmed kiss had stirred up interest, and she used her happiness as an excuse to explore the potential.
But if that was the case… He wasn’t sure how he felt about it given the living arrangement he had with her father. Especially when Tom would undoubtedly frown at a relationship that could only be casual since Denz would be leaving to head back to work very soon.
“Hey, almost ready,” she said after Denz knocked and opened the screen door.
He let himself inside and noted Tom’s bushy eyebrows shooting high at the sight of the gift. “You’ve fed me a few times, so I wanted to contribute something,” he said simply.
“Thanks. That’ll go great with the steaks,” she said. “Dad just put them on the grill.”
“Hey, Denz, are you going to the gym tomorrow?” Tommy asked as he walked down the hallway.
“Tommy, I’m sure Denz doesn’t want to be your chauffeur,” she said.
“I am,” Denz said to Tommy, “and it’s fine,” he said to Claire. “Any time I’m heading that way, he’s welcome to go with me. How about that?”
Both mother and son smiled at him while Denz sensed Tom’s stare.
Dinner was delicious. Tom knew how to perfectly grill a steak, and along with fresh veggies, dinner rolls, and pudding Claire whipped up for dessert, Denz ate his fill. He enjoyed listening to Tommy tell his mother about the kids he’d met at the gym and sensed Claire’s happiness as her kid kept the conversation from ever lagging.
“I’m going to go take my walk before it gets any later,” Tom said, shoving himself back from the table.
“I’ll clean up,” Claire said.
“Tommy, you help your mother,” Tom said.
“Okay.”
Tom seemed surprised by the kid’s quick agreement, but the man left without commenting further.
Denz stood and carried his plate to the sink.
“Oh, leave that. We’ll get it,” Claire said.
“That’s not how I was raised to leave a table,” Denz said, hoping Tommy listened.
With all three of them clearing, loading the dishwasher, and wiping things down, it didn’t take long to clean up.
“Can I watch TV now?” Tommy asked.
“Yeah, go ahead. We’re finished here.”
Claire took the tablecloth outside to shake it off and Denz followed her. “Dinner was great.”
“It was, wasn’t it?”
“So was the company.”
She stilled and he watched her closely while she stopped shaking the tablecloth and held it in front of her. Her teeth sank into her lower lip while she folded the material.
“Denz…”
