Page 5 of A Very Merry Mistake

Once we’re traveling down the road, she speaks. “I suppose this isn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened.”

I don’t know who she’s trying to convince, but I notice she’s shivering, so I reach over and turn on the heat. She places her hands over the vent and warms them. I’d bet anything her fingers are like icicles.

“Thank you so much.” I can hear the sincerity in her tone.

“You’re welcome very much. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “A girl can never be too careful.”

“You’re right. But also, don’t you have a cell phone?” I glance over at her. Everyone has one these days. My three-year-old nephew has one and knows how to use it, too.

“I do. It’s dead. No charger.”

I reach for the cord I have. “Will this work?”

She digs in her oversized purse. “Yeah, actually, it will.”

When she plugs it in, it doesn’t power on.

“Will probably take some time, depending on how drained it is.”

“Yeah.” She shoves it back into her bag. “Oh, I’m Claire.”

I wait a moment for her to continue, but she doesn’t. “So just Claire? Like Beyoncé?”

I see a hint of blush hit her cheeks.

“Claire. Chester.”

I keep my focus on the road. “Do your friends call you CeCe for short?”

“No, they don’t.”

“Do you have any nicknames?”

She shakes her head. “I thought you were going to ask if I had any friends.”

This makes me chuckle. “Since you brought it up, do you?”

“A few. But none have given me any nicknames. Not ones they’d say to my face, at least.”

“Then this seems like the perfect opportunity.”

“I’d prefer Claire.”

“Okay, CeCe.”

She shrugs. “Whatever. I can’t guarantee I’ll answer if I see you in town, though.”

“You’re good at ignorin’ people when they talk to you. Guess that’s me sayin’ I’m already used to it?”

I see her grin in the window’s reflection when she turns her head.

“So where ya from?” I can’t seem to place her accent. If I had to guess, I’d say California.

She swallows. “All over.”

“Ah. Was your dad in the military? I had a friend who moved around to different bases. It seemed like he was in a new state every year.”

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