Truth

better than I could have possibly hoped. And thank you for helping John. I know you don’t like him, and you created his problems, but helping him now – it means a lot to me.” She leaned in and lightly kissed his lips.
    The touch ignited feelings deep within her. The change in Tony’s breathing revealed a similar response. She searched his eyes in the dark stillness of the car.
    “ Claire, I am trying to give you space. But I’m on the edge.”
    She leaned back and undid her seatbelt. “I know you’re trying. And I appreciate it.” She opened her door and started toward the house. She heard his door slam as he made his way to her, grasping her arm; he stopped her progress. They stood in the night upon the brick drive. His chest pressed against her hypersensitive breasts.
    “ I am very glad you are here.”
    Claire smiled and looked up at the mansion before her. “I’m surprised at how much I like being here. I was afraid the bad memories would overpower the good.”
    Tension escaped his lips in an audible sigh as a grin emerged, “Does that mean... the good overpower the bad?”
    Claire shrugged. “I don’t know. I wish I could say yes . You said you want honesty, and honestly, I don’t know. They’re both there. It’s just that the familiarity of here is heartwarming.”
    He kissed the top of her head and with lightened eyes offered, “I need to go into the office tomorrow morning. I hope to be done and home by noon. The dessert celebration isn’t until eight. Would you like to go for a walk tomorrow?”
    “ A walk?”
    His encouraging smile peeked her curiosity. “Yes, Claire, to your lake?”
    She smiled and nodded. “I would. Very much, I would like that.”
    He kissed the hand he’d secured. “Please allow me to escort you to your suite. I will give you Courtney’s number and you may use the lock you requested. Actually,” his eyes narrowed, “I suggest you do.”
    Claire pressed against his chest. “You know, we never did this.”
    “ This what?”
    “ We never dated . I guess twice, in Atlanta.” Her smile didn’t falter at the reference. “I like it.”
    He gently squeezed her hand, and they ascended the front steps. “We better get you behind a locked door, so I don’t do anything to ruin this date .” He emphasized the word.
    Claire smiled slyly, “Actually, according to a definition I recently heard, we need to be in public for this to be a date.”
    Tony’s only response was another small squeeze of her hand. However, as they entered the well-lit foyer, her emerald eyes sparkled at his upturned lips.
    Once behind her secured door, Claire hit call on the contact Tony had just added to her phone. After three rings she heard Courtney’s voice. “Hi Courtney, I was just checking the number Tony gave me...” They didn’t talk long. Courtney asked if Claire was okay. Claire assured her she was alone, behind a locked door, and fine. When she hung up, she sent a text message to Emily, Amber, and Harry. It said the same thing: I VISITED WITH TONY’S CLOSE FRIENDS. ALL WENT WELL. NOW SAFELY ALONE AND GOING TO SLEEP. WILL TEXT TOMORROW.
    On the table, Claire found a note:
     
    Mr. Rawlings turned off the cameras in your suite.
Please call the number below when you wake. Your breakfast
will be brought to you. Sleep well - good night, Catherine
     
    Claire thought about the changes she’d seen in Tony. Was her opinion swayed because of their child? Did she see positives where she should be seeing warnings? Claire recalled Brent’s advice: Remember who you’re dealing with .
    Wasn’t that a two edged sword? She had many memories of Tony, and a lot were good. Of course, there was a flip side. Perhaps, she should think about them. However, she didn’t want her baby overwrought with negativity.
    Inhaling the cool night air, the country noises and moon lit vista enveloped Claire as she stepped onto the balcony. Despite the change in decor, the familiarity of the suite, balcony, and nocturnal murmurings comforted her. She felt her body relax and exhaustion prevail. Moments later she snuggled into the soft sheets as sounds of crickets and cicadas through the open French doors serenaded her to sleep.
    The next morning Claire woke after ten. She blamed the time difference. Nonetheless, she lay motionless for moments, assessing her physical state. When she’d determined she was not going to be ill, she made her way to the bathroom. Next, she called the number from