Chapt. 16

At eight thirty Saturday morning, Matt woke Claire up, pouncing on her bed, calling her name loudly. Maybe pouncing wasn't accurate. No, it was much more like a trampling herd of trumpeting elephants.

"Wake up Claire! It's your date day! You're going on a date today! GET UP!"

Claire groaned loudly at the interruption to her sleep and rolled over. She groaned again when her eyes connected with the bright blue numbers of her alarm clock. "Matthew Joseph Korklan damn you it is only eight thirty in the damn morning. He will not be here for another two hours! Get out of here and leave me alone!" One last jump and he landed face first, flat on his stomach beside of her. "If you break my bed you are a dead man."

"Well now, aren't you just a sparkling little ray of sunshine."

"And aren't you just the spawn of Satan himself?" A yawn took over her body, cutting her words shy of completion. "What on earth made you think waking me up so damn early was a good idea?"

"Hmph," she heard him pouting. "I thought you'd like a nice, hot breakfast before you had to get ready for the day. That's all."

Claire lay in the bed wordlessly for a full three minutes, letting her senses come alive and take note of the world around her. She could smell the aroma of fresh coffee too near, too pungent to be coming from the kitchen. Looking past the alarm clock she registered a steaming cup of the fragrant coffee through cracked eyelids. She so badly wanted to ignore it and just roll over, close her eyes, and fall back into sleep for another hour, but the coffee was calling her name to loudly to ignore. She threw the cover off of her and sat up in the bed, plumping her pillows behind her and reached for the hot mug.

"I knew you'd get up," she could hear the smugness in his voice.

"This has nothing to with you, it's strictly about the coffee."

He laughed then. "I can live with that. I mean after all, I did make it. Then fix it to your liking, oh yeah, and bring it up here for you."

Claire held the coffee cup in both hands, her palms holding the sides of the warm mug, sipping it slow to savor the full citrus undertones. Five minutes and she had drained the cup. She sighed, knowing that now she would have to get up. She wanted another cup of the hot liquid and knew that she would have to get it herself. She sat the cup on the nightstand, right by the clock noting that it was now ten minutes til nine. She let her feet swing to the floor and stood. Picking up the cup she glared down at Matt. "Fine, you win. Let's go eat." She turned and headed to the door, stopping half way there. "I better not have to cook it or clean it up either."

He laughed and followed her down the stairs. "One it's already cooked and two, I had planned to clean it all up while you get yourself ready."

An hour later Claire was showered and had her make-up lightly applied. Her hair was up in a loose and messy bun. She was standing in her room, hands on her bar hips, in a pair of khaki shorts and a black bra, scanning the disaster before her. There were clothes, mainly tops, all over the bed and floor. She hadn't realized that she owned so many articles of clothing and made a mental note to sort through it all and get together a donation to the women's shelter. Nothing had been feeling right when she put it on. It just didn't work.

"Holy hell woman! It looks like a hurricane tore through here leaving a wake of clothes behind!"

"Ugh! Matt help me. I know that I want to wear these shorts but that is all that is set in my head." Claire crumpled onto a pile of tank tops that had mounded up on her bed.

Matt stepped into her closet and scanned what was left hanging up. His eyes fell onto a ruffled front halter top. Almost directly under it on the floor was a pair of black, wedge heeled espadrilles. The material of them flowed in ruffles down the top of the foot, mimicking the halter top. He grabbed them both and returned to the bedroom. He smugly sat the shirt and shoes on her dresser and smiled. "There you go, now, get dressed. He's going to be here soon."

Claire slipped into the top, then she slowly slipped her feet into the heels. She stepped back and took a look at herself in the full length mirror hanging on her door. She felt more than comfortable and she even felt pretty. Matt was a life saver. She spritzed on a bit of perfume and grabbed her purse before heading down the stairs. Halfway down she heard the doorbell ring. Her stomach clenched as she took the last step.

Matt peeked around the corner and let out a low whistle. "Damn you look good! Almost makes me wish that I was straight." He winked at her and she laughed. "I'll get the door." He walked away and Claire followed behind him, her stomach in nervous knots.

It seemed as if Matt was opening the door in slow motion. Those knots in her stomach seemed to tighten with every second. She just wasn't used to the dating scene anymore and her nerves were getting the best of her. Stephen hadn't taken her out on a date in nearly two years, and even then dating in a relationship was completely different than being single and dating someone. Her mind was spinning at a hurried pace it seemed. What is she said something wrong, or something completely stupid? What if she spilled food all over her, or worse, got it stuck in her teeth? What if she humiliated herself and he never wanted to see her again? What if… 'No! Claire, you stop that mess', she told herself. She had to think positive about today and remember that he had asked her out for a reason after all.

She heard the door open then and looked up. He looked wonderful to her. His long dark curls were pulled up into a perfect man bun and he wore jean shorts with a black tank top. She remembered vaguely that he just wasn't her type, and immediately she wondered why. His muscles boasted beautiful tribal tattoos and his dark skin seemed darker with the black tank top against it. It struck her again that he was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.

"You look beautiful Claire," Joe said from the doorway.

She felt herself blush as she smiled up at him. Just as she wasn't used to dating, she wasn't used to getting compliments either. "Thank you," she said softly. "We uh, we match today huh?"

Joe laughed his deep, rich laugh. "I'll take it as a good sign for the day." He brought his hand up, revealing a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers in shades of yellow and orange. "I thought of you when I saw these, all bright and like a ray of sunshine no matter what the day is like."

"Thank you." She blushed again. "Oh! I am so sorry! Where are my manners? Please, come in, let me find a vase for these flowers."

Matt closed the door behind Joe when he entered and Claire caught his eye. He gave her a wide and approving smile that helped to put her a bit more at ease.

In the kitchen, Claire found a vase in the cabinets under her sink and quickly arranged the flowers. "Thank you again, Joe. They are so pretty. I love how they brighten up this room." She turned to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. "Do you want some water before we go?"

"Sure, thanks."

"So, Joe, what exactly are your plans for Claire? When can I expect you to have her back home?" Matt had on his best parental face, but one look at Claire and it was over. He burst out laughing. "I am kidding!"

Claire fought a smile as she looked at Joe. "Excuse him, he obviously has not taken his medication this morning. Now, are you ready?"

"Yes," Joe said with a low, under his breath chuckle. "Matt, man I promise to keep her safe, happy, and fed. You have my word, she's in good hands."

This caused Matt to laugh even harder. "Good, I expect no less. Now go on you two youngins, have fun."

Even Claire had to giggle then as she led the way back to the front door. She reached for the door handle to open it and was startled to feel Joe's large hand cover hers. "I've got it darling," he whispered, opening the door for her to step outside. He opened the door of his truck for her as well, holding her hand as she jumped up and slid in. He then closed the door for her and walked around and climbed into the driver's seat. As he buckled his seat belt he flashed her a warm smile. "You really do look beautiful today, just as you always do."

"Thank you," she said. She smiled up at him and thought, not for the first time, how easy he was to be around. He had a way about him that made the smiles comes easily to her face, and he could make her laugh. He was genuine, and real, and he just had this demeanor that said she could put her trust in him and relax, that she could just be okay.

As he drove, he reached over and took her hand in his, lacing his long, dark fingers through her small, pale ones. He let his thumb rub circles on the back of her hand absently. It was comfortable and it put her at ease, bringing a calm and a feeling of being completely secure. It smoothed her frayed nerves that had been tingling all morning long.

"You ever been to Busch Gardens," Joe asked.

"No, not once."

He cut his eyes at her and raised an eyebrow her way. "Not once huh? And you've lived here how long?"

"Four years or so I'd say, and no, not even once."

He smiled that slow and easy smile that made his dark eyes shine so brightly. She felt the faint flutters in her stomach begin, those small butterflies breaking free and stretching their wings, coming alive like they haven't in years. He had this effect on her, one that made her want to run and get lost in him all one time. For now she chose to stay, her hand tangled up in his, letting his smile warm her soul. She smiled then, realizing that she was happy, after all of the hurt, she was happy.

Pulling into the crowded parking lot at Busch Gardens Joe looked for a space. Claire's cell vibrated back to back, and grudgingly she pulled her hand from his to check her messages. The first was from Sadie. "Today's your big date right? Have fun, oh, and send me a picture of this tall, dark, handsome. K?"

Claire smiled as she typed her reply. "I'll see about snapping a picture, promise. I miss you!"

The next text was from Matt and as she read it she couldn't contain the burst of laughter that erupted from her. "Girl, can I just say this. That man is a tall drink of water that I would happily bathe in."

"What's so funny over there?"

Struggling to reign in her giggles she said, "Trust me when I say that you do not want to know."

There was that eyebrow raise again. "Yes ma'am," he said smirking as he pulled into a parking spot. He killed the engine and climbed down out of the big truck. He walked quickly to her door, opening it and extending his hand to her. As she climbed down he smiled at her. "You ready beautiful?"

"Yes sir," she said, returning his smile as he took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers again, and led her toward the entrance.