Chapt. 35
Two Weeks Later…
"So you're telling me that you and Stephan had a date last night, and you love the man? What the hell happened to him being horrible and exactly what you were trying to get away from?"
Claire smiled. "I was wrong Matt. I think maybe I fought any sort or relationship because yes, he scared me, but only because of the connection and attraction I'd felt for him. I was wrong. I see that now and really Matt, life is just too short." She grabbed a paintbrush and touched up the last bit of trim in the last office in her building. Man that was a nice thought. Her building, even though in her eyes it was the building of the people who would need it most, not just hers alone. "Matt, I've been thinking."
He laughed and looked up at her. "Why does that scare me?"
"Oh shut up," she said throwing a paintbrush at him. "Seriously, I've been thinking and I know you want to stay quiet about you and PJ and all with your work and stuff and I get that. But, I was thinking you could stay quiet and still speak out."
Now she had his attention. He looked at her through squinted eyes as though she'd sprouted three heads all of a sudden. "What are you talking about?"
"I just mean that you could help out here at the center in your spare time, front desk or something, taking calls or whatever. No one would have to know that you have a boyfriend. But having someone there to greet these people, many who will be in your shoes, who gets it firsthand would be amazing. I trust you with my dream."
"That's a lot to think about, and I'm going to have to think about it and talk it over with PJ. I'd love to help you out in any way that I can you know that. We have three weeks until your grand opening. I'll give you a definite answer before then okay?" She nodded and Matt smiled. "Now come on you and lets go get some lunch"
Hand in hand they strolled down the sidewalk to the corner café to grab a much needed lunch. They talked about the opening and Claire told him how excited she was at the appointments that they already had lined up for the big day.
"I just can't believe we already have six appointments for opening day. It's like we are already helping people out and we aren't even open yet."
"I believe that this is going to be a huge success for you Claire, I really do. Your heart and soul has been poured into it, your blood, sweat, and tears. You know where these people are coming from just as well as I do. I'm so proud of you Claire. More than you can know I look up to you and wish that there was more I could do to help you day to day. I don't feel like I thank you enough for being the best friend that I've ever had, for always accepting me and loving me without judgment. There's a lot to be said for that."
She looked down shyly at her salad. "You know that goes both ways Matt. You've been there for me, even when I was lost in hell it seems. Without you, I might not have made it through that. You never gave up on me when I so often wanted to throw in the towel. Your determination that I would be okay kept me from tapping out many times Matt."
He smiled and brushed the back of his hand over his eyes. "I love you. End of that story." They both laughed as they finished their lunches.