Clara smiled over the rim of her cup at her friends on the other side of the table. Melanie and Josef had just started bickering over the movie, leaving her a chance to take a sip of her cool drink. Unsurprisingly, a rough hand had slid onto her bare thigh and laid there for a good moment. Clara glanced down to Erik's hand before gazing up at him as he pretended that he was doing nothing under the table. The feeling of Erik touching her while no one else noticed made her feel this electrifying sensation over her as she hoped that Erik wouldn't try to push this teasing a little bit further.
"Clara…"
She blinked back in surprise as she noticed that all three eyes were watching her, "I'm sorry?"
"I just mentioned the music festival happening next weekend" Melanie explained, "I can't believe you have not told Henrik of this"
"Oh…" Clara glanced over to Erik and shrugged, "You never know with him how long he's planning on sticking around"
Erik leaned back in his seat but placed his arm around her shoulder, "No, but a music festival does sound fun. I would love to stick around for that"
Clara turned to him as she wondered if he was hinting something to her before Josef let out, "It's possibly one of the best traditions this small town has. Some people from neighboring towns come in to join on the fun"
"Is that so?" Erik seemed intrigued.
"Clara made a full of herself the last time" Melanie hinted, "She acted almost like a little hippy child if I remember correctly"
Clara turned and made her lips into a tight line but Melanie kept on going on with the story of how she nearly flirted with every single attractive male and even danced with some. Erik gave off a slow nod and turned to her, almost as if he was impressed but Clara knew better. Even though it was Erik who never wants to have a relationship, he still got jealous whenever Clara would go off and talk to whomever she pleased. Clara avoided everyone's gaze as she took yet another big gulp out of her drink as Melanie's story finally came to an end.
"She can be a wild card when she wants to be" Melanie giggled, "Some guys still come around our favorite hang out spots just to swoon her again"
"Do they now?" Erik asked, not even glancing at Melanie but staring at Clara instead.
Clara shrugged, "It's all fun and games"
"That's what I always say" Josef chuckled before he cleared his throat and said, "Until I found Melanie, of course"
Erik laughed, "I'm going to go get another drink, anyone else want a second?"
Only Josef raised his hand as Clara shook her head before Melanie turned and glared at him, "What do you mean you used to say that?"
Clara bit her lip to stifle another laugh as her eyes drifted up to Erik before they did a double take. Erik was leaning into the bar waiting for his order but his eyes wondered over the woman who was sitting right beside him. Her stomach turned into a hard, cold rock as she saw Erik smile and greet the woman with the same smile that was meant for her only hours ago.
"You've got to be kidding me"
"What is it?"
Clara looked over to the couple who were both about to turn their heads to see Erik when she quickly spoke up, "I just didn't remember if I locked my door or not. That bugs me all the time"
"Of course, you did" Josef said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Remember how you were the last person in my car?
"Um" Clara squinted as she pretended to think for a little bit more before she said, "Oh, yes! I remember"
"That's good" Josef leaned in as he nodded over his shoulder, "Henrik is a nice lad. I like him and think he's a good match for you"
Clara rolled her eyes as she turned to Melanie, "You told him"
"Only what I found" Melanie shrugged as she bit onto her straw.
"Let's not play dumb here" Josef said, "We're all adults and would love to have some fun every now and then. But I'm going to be completely honest with you, Clara, it isn't special unless someone is willing to go to another country to spend some time with the person they care most about"
Clara could only nod as she glanced over to Erik who was sharing a laugh with this mysterious woman as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She formed her jaw as she felt something boil up inside of her as she looked back to the oblivious couple.
"I do hope so" Clara sighed, "Otherwise, it would be a cruel game"
Melanie leaned in, "He did seem kind of handsy with you ever since you put on that dress"
"Thank you for the advice" Clara glanced up as she said, "Don't you think he's taking too long for your drink?"
"Let him take all the time in the world" Josef fanned off, "I want to get in my two cents before he comes back"
"Hmm…" Clara mumbled before something dawned on her, "Oh, no"
A burst of fire erupted from a fireplace not far from her, causing the nearby people to shriek and scatter, Clara stiffened up as she felt just as surprised as everyone else.
Only Erik didn't seem to think so as he finally turned and stared darkly at Clara as Melanie said, "What happened?"
"Did someone spill their alcohol into the fireplace again?"
"Shall we take our leave?" Erik suddenly came up to the table, "If that was just some small gas leak, I don't want to be around for the big one"
Josef's eyebrows furrowed as he said, "No, I guess you're right"
"Come on then" Erik said as he offered his hand to Clara.
She swallowed and took it but wasn't surprised when he gripped her too tight and nearly dragged her onto her feet, "Ouch"
"We're going to have a serious talk when we get home" Erik muttered.
"My home" Clara corrected, "Not yours"
"Whatever you say"
The pair came out into the cool air as Clara pulled her arm out of Erik's grasp and shivered in the cold. She just realized that she had left her coat inside when she noticed that it appeared right in her face. Clara glanced up to see Erik was offering her the coat like as if he was by her side the whole time. As much as she wanted to snatch away her coat, she turned her back and let Erik help her into it's warmth. She let out a heavy sigh as she tried to appear light and friendly like before as she slipped into Josef's car to go back home.
