Page 46 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

He smiled at her and she took another bite, thinking while she chewed.

It seemed like he wasn’t a caretaker for a single sick relative as she was, and a small part of her was disappointed by that. She’d been hopeful she’d have someone to commiserate with. However, it sounded as if he was in charge of his entire extended relations. Somehow that sounded far worse. Less isolating perhaps, but infinitely more stressful and demanding, being pulled in a million different directions.

“You know,” she said, swallowing a mouth of lobster with lemon. “This is my first time having lobster. I think I understand now what all the fuss is about.”

Taking her by surprise, he threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll make a mental note of that.”

“I am curious though,” she said, “what would you have done if I didn’t eat meat?”

“I saw you have hot dogs in the freezer,” he said.

“What if I had an allergy to shellfish?”

“Shellfish allergies are very serious. Anyone who has one and works in food service would wear a medical ID bracelet. You have no such bracelet. And I didn’t see an EpiPen in your purse.”

“You went through my purse?” she asked, incensed.

“No. I saw into it that night in the parking lot.”

“It was pitch dark.” She frowned.

“I have good eyesight.”

“So, you used your master skills at deduction to know I would be able to eat all of this.”

“More or less.” He smirked.

“I can’t tell if I’m impressed or offended.”

“Let me know when you decide, and I’ll be sure to act accordingly,” he said.

“Oh, you’re a funny man.”

“Only occasionally.”

Laughing with him, she was unable to recall a time when she felt this relaxed. Having him over, seeing him sitting across the table from her, it felt as if they’d done this every day for years.

“Claire?” Rachel came out of her room. Her hair was brushed and she’d changed clothes. “I must have dozed off. When did you get home from school?”

“Just now,” she said.

“And you brought a friend home, is this the boy who’s taking you to the prom?” she whispered loudly to Clarissa.

“Sure am.” Tom smiled. “That is, if she’ll let me.”

Clarissa rolled her eyes at him, unable to help the grin spreading across her face.

“Are you hungry, aunty?” Clarissa asked. “Tom was kind enough to bring us dinner.”

“Well, in that case, he’s got my vote for prom date,” Rachel said.

Tom smirked at her, then got up to make a plate for Rachel. Clarissa grabbed the extra chair, setting it up for her.

“What classes are you taking, Tom?” Rachel asked. “Do you two have any together?”

“Sadly no, but we sit together at lunch.” Tom winked at her. The effect it had on the warmth in her pelvis was unexpected. “This semester I’m taking calculus, English literature, and advanced history, to name a few.”

“I always adored my literature classes. Who doesn’t love an excuse to read a good book?” Rachel commented.