Taking Chances (7 page)

Clair

Walking out of the restaurant, Clair lazily looped her arm through Alex’s. “That pizza was amazing. I’m stuffed. I don’t know how I could possibly eat dessert.”

Alex laughed, “I’m glad you enjoyed it. The food is always great here.”

“You come here often?” She couldn’t help but wonder how many girls he’d brought here before. Not that it mattered, really; this was just dinner and nothing more. She didn’t want to be the latest girl he added to his list.

“No, it’s been a few months, at least. When we have construction jobs around here, the guys and I try to stop in as often as we can. It’s just too good to pass up.”

Clair nodded in agreement but felt stupid for letting her mind assume otherwise. As they walked down the block toward Alex’s Jeep, Clair heard music. The sidewalk had grown busy with roaming patrons milling up and down the street. “Oh, I wonder what’s going on down there,” she said, visibly intrigued.

“I’m not sure. Do you want to walk around for a bit and
check it out?” He looked at his watch, “It’s still pretty early, unless you’re ready to go home?”

Clair pulled on his arm, “Not at all, let’s go see.”

A flyer that was taped to a lamppost announced the town was having a street carnival to raise money for the local library. After a recent fire, all the vendors and restaurants in the area planned to donate fifty percent of their proceeds to support the library’s restoration. Walking around the block, they saw the street had been closed off and vendors hugged both sides of it. A band played at the far end of the street and people were dancing in front of a makeshift stage. Everyone appeared to be having a good time. The night was warm with a light breeze freshening the air. The vendors were selling everything from arts and crafts to food and games. She browsed the different booths ahead of Alex, while he lingered over a stand that sold handmade model cars.

At one booth, a particular piece of jewelry caught her eye and Clair picked it up. Its sterling silver chain felt cool to the touch and a small
dreamcatcher pendant hung from it. Tiny turquoise beads threaded with wire formed the pendant’s center, where two silver feathers hung. Clair was amazed at the minute details its creator invested into its design. She held it up to her neck and looked at it in the mirror, which sat on the table.
Maybe if I had something like this, the dreams of my attackers would stop,
she thought. It was a nice thought but seeing as she had hardly any money left, Clair laid the necklace down on the table and continued to the next booth.

After a few moments, Alex caught up with her, and they made their way down the street. They took a seat on an empty bench and watched the people dance to the music.

“They have homemade ice cream,” Alex said, pointing to a vendor across from them. “Would you like some?”

“I don’t know. I’m still stuffed from the pizza,” Clair said, holding her stomach.

He stood.  “If I get some, will you share with me? You like vanilla, right?”

Clair smiled. “Chocolate is my favorite, but vanilla is the best on apple pie.”

“Chocolate it is then. You know you want some,” he nudged.

“Oh alright, I’ll just have a little.”

“Great, I’ll be right back.”

Clair watched him as he stood in line. His hair kept falling in his eyes and she’d been trying to fight the urge to brush it away ever since he picked her up. He had the kind of hair you wanted to run your fingers through. The firm muscles flexed in his arms as he reached for the ice cream across the counter. His line of work was obviously beneficial to his body and Clair wondered what else on his body might be tight and sculpted; or how good it might feel to run her fingers across his skin. She looked away, feeling herself flush with embarrassment. She didn’t know why she was having these thoughts. Especially now, after confirming she had no intentions of getting into any kind of relationship with him.

Sitting next to Clair, Alex handed her a spoon. “Are you okay? Are you getting too hot? Your cheeks are red. We can go if you want.”

“No, I’m fine.” Avoiding his gaze, she dipped her spoon into the ice cream. It was rich and sweet; cooling her cheeks as she ate it.

“So, Alex,” Clair pointed at him with her spoon, “what’s one of the craziest things you did while on the streets?”

He thought about it for a minute. “That would have to be when I had the bright idea to join the circus.”

She nearly choked on her ice cream, “The circus? Seriously?”

“Hey you asked,” he said laughing. “Not the brightest idea, I’ll admit, but it was something crazy to do at the time. I saw some pretty weird people while I was there and I only managed to make it a few weeks. There was a psychic there who was convinced I had the skills to become a palm reader. I still don’t know what gave her that impression,” he laughed. “It sucked. I didn’t want to learn palm reading, I wanted to learn how to walk the high wire and they wouldn’t let me.”

Clair looked at him like he
was
crazy. “Oh, I see. You didn’t have a death wish or anything, did you?” she teased.

“No, not really, though after everything I’d been through, I can honestly say I didn’t care what happened to me.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ve felt the same, many times.” She knew the conversation was moving in the wrong direction. She didn’t want to darken the mood by saying she never cared it she lived or died while roaming the streets, so she asked, “Did the psychic teach you anything?”

“Not really,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, “just how to look at someone’s hand and make assumptions. That’s about it. It was stupid really, just something to make a buck.”

“Show me,” she said, holding her palm out. “Tell me what you see.”

“But I don’t really know anything. I never paid much attention to that crazy lady.”

“Then just humor me.”

Turning her palm upward, Alex held her hand in his. “So basically you have lines that run all across your hand, but there are main lines you’re supposed to concentrate on. Each line has a different name: the life line, head, heart, health, and marriage line.”

He traced each line with the tip of his finger. His touch was light, sending goose bumps all over her arms.

“This line here is your heart line. If I remember correctly, it means you are a loving woman and deeply passionate with the
people you care about; the longer the line, the greater the passion and love. I think your heart line is as long as it can get,” he smiled.

“I guess that’s a good thing,” Clair said.

“If you believe in that sort of thing… it’s very good.”

Alex stopped drawing on her hand, still holding it between his, with his eyes locked on hers. He leaned in, searching her face, indecision visible in his expression. Clair’s stomach dropped, she knew he was about to kiss her and she needed to pull away, but she couldn’t. His eyes were warm and welcoming, his lips, soft and inviting. For the first time tonight, she really wanted him to kiss her. Even though she knew she shouldn’t let it happen.

“I have something for you,” he said, leaning back. He pulled the necklace she’d been looking at earlier from his pocket, letting the chain dangle from his finger.

Clair gasped, covering her mouth with her hand in surprise.

“I saw you looking at this earlier and I want you to have it. I think it’s just what you need.”

“Alex, no, you shouldn’t have.”

“I wanted to. Can I put it on you?”

Clair hesitated before turning her back to him. He swept her hair aside and wrapped the necklace around her neck. “Thank you,” she said, facing him again.

“It’s supposed to catch all your dreams. They pass through the web and slide down the feathers to the sleeper. The bad dreams get caught in the net, disappearing with the light of day.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful.” Her eyes burned with tears. She wanted to cry over his thoughtfulness but she bit her bottom lip, holding them back. 

Alex lightly slid his finger along her collarbone, tracing the outline of the necklace. “I hope it keeps your nightmares away,” he whispered, before tenderly kissing her on the forehead.

Clair’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest, as she felt the warmth of his lips against her skin. His lips lingered on her forehead and she closed her eyes, wanting more. It was wrong and against her better judgment, but she
wanted to feel desired. From the look in Alex’s eyes, he did too.

But instead of kissing her, Alex reached for her hand and stood up. “Let’s get you home.”

Nodding, Clair stood, holding his hand and they walked back to his car. She couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment that he had again avoided kissing her for the second time. Maybe he wasn’t interested in her after all. She thought that was probably a good thing. She didn’t need to get involved in the first place, no matter how much she thought she might want it.

CHAPTER NINE

Alex

Alex glanced over at Clair in the passenger seat. She stared out the window as if lost in thought. Her fingers pulled the charm on her necklace back and forth across the chain around her neck.  The night definitely went better than he thought it would even though he didn
’t really know what to expect. He glanced at his watch and it was a little after eleven. But he liked being with Clair and wasn’t ready for their night to end. Alex couldn’t deny the attraction he felt towards her. He had only dated a few girls after Mia, and when he did, it never lasted. Clair was different. She was vulnerable and stubborn, but determined.
And
she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. But more than anything, they could relate to each other since both had lived on the streets. He had to ask her out again. He wanted to know her better.

When he pulled up in the driveway, Roz’s car wasn’t there.  “She must be at Stu’s again,” he said. “I don’t know why she even bothers living here. She spends all her time with him.”

“Have they been together long?” Clair asked, facing him.

“A couple years, I think. I’m surprised they haven’t gotten married yet. They’re perfect for each other. After everything Stu’s been through, he could really use someone like Roz. She’s great.”

“Yes she is. He’d be lucky to have her, I’m sure.”

Alex walked around and opened Clair’s door, helping her out as she jumped down. He followed her as she walked to the far end of the yard and sat in the grass. Lying back, she looked up toward the black sky. Alex laughed as he looked down at her.  “You know
, if you’re that tired, I can get my blanket out of the car for you.”

Clair gave a small smile, tapping the grass beside her with her hand. “I miss it,
ya know?”

“Miss what?” he asked, sitting beside her.

“I don’t know, the quietness, the stars. It’s just different. I know, it sounds stupid… it’s just, I’ve been on my own for so long without anyone caring. It’s a little overwhelming having someone care about me now; especially when they hardly know me. Everything Roz has done, I mean, who even does that?” 

Alex watched her. She was so animated when she talked. Her face lit up with expressions, her hands waved through the air as if she needed them to help her communicate.  Everything was light and easy going until dinner was over. Since the drive home, Clair seemed sad, but Alex let her ramble, venting whatever was bottled up inside her.

“And you,” she said, looking over at Alex, “if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.” Clair sat up, crossing her legs up under her. “And this date—I mean, this hanging out we did tonight. It was the best night I’ve had since I left home. Thank you for that.” She picked blades of grass with her fingers, tearing them into tiny pieces. “You didn’t have to take me out, but you did it anyway.”

His eyes traveled up her arms to her neck. Her skin looked so fair and soft under the moonlight, it made him want to
run his hands over it.  “You don’t have to thank me. I
wanted
to take you out tonight. I’m happy you said yes. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been out on date.” Yes, a date. He didn’t want to just “hang out”; no, he wanted to know everything about her. To hold her hand, touch her skin, and taste her lips. But would she want the same things as he? He still didn’t know. 

“Oh, and this,” she said, holding the charm out from around her neck, “you shouldn’t have bought me this. But I do love it. Thank you.”

Alex leaned forward, taking the charm between his fingers. “I’m glad I saw you looking at it. It looks perfect on you.” He laid the charm down against her chest. Lightly, he traced his fingers up the side of her neck, her hair cupped around her face. Alex stared straight into her eyes, dark under the night’s sky. Her lips parted slightly and Alex could feel her breath quicken on his skin. He wanted nothing more than to feel her lips on his. He slipped his hand further up Clair’s neck and heard her breath catch as if she’d stopped breathing. With his face only inches away from her mouth, he whispered, “If you don’t want me to kiss you right now, you’d better tell me.”