Page 56 of By The Book
Water droplets hit him, and he opened his eyes to find Claire dropping down beside him on her stomach.
“Please don’t be upset,” she said softly. “But I said from the beginning that I couldn’t handle your job. You know that about me, and once you go back and do what you do—”
“I know. It’s okay.” Except it wasn’t. At some point, he’d started to care for Claire as more than a friend, and he’d like to see where their relationship could go, but when she wouldn’t even consider an attempt at compromise…
“Denz, I have Tommy to consider. He’s already lost his father. I’ve already lost a husband. And then there’s the fact that…I’ve basically been a single parent most of Tommy’s life, and at that time, I signed up for it as a military spouse. But next time—when there is a next time—I don’t want that to be the case. I want a relationship and a co-parent and dinners together at the table.”
“And that’s not something I can give you,” he said honestly. “Not regularly. I get it. I’m sorry, Claire.”
“Yeah. Me, too.”
He inhaled and rolled onto his side, propping his head up on his hand while he took in the sight of her, belly-down on the towel beside him. “This is lousy timing but…I passed my physical yesterday. I’m waiting on reassignment.”
Had he not been watching her, he would’ve missed the way her entire body tensed. Her head was turned toward him but her eyes were closed. He reached out and stroked his fingertips down her arm, brushing the sand and water droplets away. “I should hear something any minute.”
“Okay. Thanks f-for telling me.”
Her voice sounded low, thready and thick with a hint of tears.
He rolled onto his back and stared up at the blue sky overhead, the sound of the surf and the buzz of Jet Skis doing nothing to disguise the sniffle Claire couldn’t hide.
Denz receivednews regarding his new assignment that evening.
They’d returned from their outing and had just docked at the marina when his phone rang, and his expression told Claire exactly who it was and why they were calling.
Denz walked away to talk privately while she and Tommy grabbed their bags and unloaded like everyone else. Carter helped her off the boat, and everyone stood somewhat awkwardly waiting on Denz to rejoin them.
“Claire?” Marsali asked. “You okay?”
“Fine.” She felt Tommy’s gaze on her and forced a smile. “Hey, what are we eating tonight? All the fresh air and swimming has left me hungry.”
Tommy shrugged. “I don’t care.”
“We could all meet at Reels for dinner,” Marsali said. “Mac and V will be there since they just got back from their honeymoon.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of fast food on the way home to shower off the salt and sand,” Claire said. “Thanks, though.”
“Yessir,” Denz said, his voice carrying on the breeze.
“Oh. That sounds official,” Eliza said with a grimace.
“He passed his physical,” Claire announced. “It’s…probably his new assignment.”
“So soon?” Marsali asked.
Denz turned and headed their way and everyone watched his approach.
“Well? Where are you heading off to?” Claire said, forcing a lightness to the words and a brave face.
Denz shoved his sunglasses atop his head as he joined them.
“Miami. Tomorrow afternoon.”
She’d promised her father she would work tomorrow because his regular guy needed a day off for a funeral. Maybe it was best.
Claire murmured goodbye to the group and hugged the girls before she turned and headed toward the parking area.
“Do you have to go?” Tommy asked from behind her.
