Chapert 22

Claire woke the next morning with a smile on her face. She felt more refreshed than she had in years it seemed and she knew the reason, and the reasons had a name. Matt. In her mind she knew that it was insane to think for even a minute that he really might be attracted to her in any way beyond friendship, but she would take what she could get, for as long as she could get it. She had the feeling that it would be good for her and help her rebuild her faith in a healthy relationship, if this… whatever it was, could be called healthy.

Glancing at her beside clock she decided that she had better get out of bed and get the day started. She had to be at the arena at four that afternoon and it was already noon. After a fast shower she pulled her mass of curls into a messy bun and headed out to get the days chores done.

She pulled into the parking lot of the FCW arena with fifteen minutes to spare. Grabbing her purse and the messenger bag that she carried in place of a briefcase and headed inside to her office where she sat down and booted up her computer so that she could begin work. She had a new client this week and she wanted to get busy learning all she could about them before their first meeting. She only felt a moment of apprehension when she saw that it was a male. She could handle this, she was sure of that at this point. There was no difference between Missy and this Marquis Greer; they both did the same thing for a living. They simply had different hormones.

Just as she picked up her pen to start making notes from the file that had been left on her desk there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," Claire called without looking up. She figured that it was Matt coming in to say hello but when she looked up she was surprised to see Stephen standing there.

"Can I come in?"

"I said come in didn't I?" She hated that her voice still held a hard edged tone when she spoke to the man. Surely he couldn't be such a horrible person if he was friends with Matt.

"I know you did, but I also know that you didn't know it was me. I just wanted to be sure I was welcome still." He walked slowly over and took a seat across from her. "You did a wonderful job helping with Missy's character development. I'm impressed."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Is that why you came to see me? Do you need help with your character? If that's the reason for your visit then I'm sorry but you've come to the wrong place. All of those things have to go through Mr. Keirn."

Stephen smiled at her and said, "No that isn't why I came actually. I came because I wanted the chance to apologize for whatever it was that I might have done to make such a horrible impression on you. I'm really not a bad guy, and I know that there have been things said that came out completely wrong, but all in all I'm a really nice person. I just don't want you to have the wrong image of me totally."

Claire blinked in shock at him. "Well, okay then…"

Another knock at the door saved her from saying more and when the door began to open without her invitation to enter she knew that it was Matt. When he walked in he glanced from her to Stephen and stopped. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I can come back."

"No, its okay Matt, really, Stephen had just come to discuss something he had been wondering about for his character. We were finished."

With a look that said he didn't quite understand why she hadn't just told Matt why he was there, Stephen stood and extended his hand to her. "Yes, we were finished. Thank you Claire for your advice, you didn't have too."

"It's okay, really," she said, not meeting his eye.

He left and Matt took the chair where he had been sitting. "How are you today?"

"I'm really good thanks." Claire fell quite for a second and then said, "Matt, about last night, I don't want you doing anything that you aren't comfortable with doing. I don't want you to pretend to be something just to make your mom happy. She has to learn to love you as you are."

"I know that Claire, but if I can do this for her, if I can try then I know at least that I've done my best for her and my dad's memory. I've been thinking about last night too."

"Okay, what were you thinking?"

He took a deep breath and his head went into his hands. "Claire you are my best friend and there is nothing in this world worth losing that over, not this, not anything. I almost feel like I'm using you and that's so wrong. I shouldn't put you in that position."

"Matt, you're not using me. I honestly don't mind, I'm not going into this expecting anything at all, but still if you're using me, then I guess I'm using you too."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? You're just saying that to make me feel better about being such a dog in this."

Shaking her head Claire said, "No, I mean it. I was just thinking of it this morning. I'm so incredibly comfortable you, in spite of the fact that you are involved in a sport, and a pretty violent one at that. I think by me helping you, I'm helping myself learn to trust again."

Matt looked up at the ceiling and then back to her. He shook his head now and gave a low laugh. "Listen to us, putting together something just to help us move on to someone else. It's insane really is what it is."

"Who says we'd be moving on to someone else? I mean if you decide that this is what you want, why would we have too?"

"So then, what is this thing we are doing?"

Smiling Claire tilted her head thoughtfully. "We're being best friends. It is what we do best."

He stood and when she stood and walked around the desk he took her in his arms. "I can't make you any promises only that no matter what goes on you will never lose my friendship. That is one promise that I know I can always keep. I can tell you this, no matter what happens, I love you in a way that no one else can."

"I understand all of that, and I don't expect any more from you that. I love you."

His head lowered to hers and his lips touched hers softly, hesitating a minute as though making sure that she was real. Pulling back he smiled. "That seems so natural with you."

Arms around his neck she pulled his head back to hers. "I guess it'd be wrong to fight it then," she said as she pressed her lips to his. She felt him pull her closer and gave a small gasp as he deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to search hers out. It was a full two minutes before they broke apart, and then only because of a knock at the door.

"Who is it," Claire asked slightly out of breath.

"It Marquis, I was told to meet you in your office to discuss character development."

"Give me just one second; I've got someone in my office."

Matt smiled at her. "I'll see you after the show tonight. Maybe we can get dinner."

"Sounds great," Claire said as she walked him to the door opening it. "Thank you Matt for stopping in. Anytime you have an idea to run past me feel free to stop by."

With a wink he said, "Thank you for your opinions. I'm sure that I will be able to use every thing you said."

She watched for a moment as he walked away, trying not to smile. "Come on in Marquis, lets get started."

After the show Claire and Matt had dinner and then he followed her home to make sure that no one was lurking in the dark. At her door he stopped. "Well, I guess this is where I head home. I'll see you soon though."

"Okay then," she said. As he walked away she called out, "Matt, wait! Are you sure you don't want some coffee, a beer, something?"

Turning he looked at her across the yard. "Yeah, that would be nice if you're sure."

He walked back to the front door and followed her to the kitchen where she handed him a beer, and took one for herself. They headed out the back door to the patio there and sat in the cool October night. They talked about everything and anything and when he stood to leave she followed him.

"Be sure to lock the door okay," he said.

"Always do that," she smiled. "Be safe and text me when you make it home okay?"

He nodded and started to walk away. Just as she was about to close the door his hand came up to hold it open a moment longer. His free hand went around her and pulled her up close to his body. He pressed his lips to hers with a tender pressure and she could almost swear that there was a passion to the kiss. He broke away and smiled. "Goodnight Claire."

She stood speechless as he walked to his car and drove away.