“So, Bryan, we haven’t formally met,” Claire said across the table, trying desperately to ignore Chance, who was rubbing his leg against hers; she tensed as she imagined the things he had done to her before.
“That’s right. We sort of just bumped into each other on the island. But I didn’t know at the time you were Willow’s daughter. Now I see the resemblance,” he said, smiling. “You’re as pretty as your mother.”
“Thank you,” Claire said with a smile.
“Well, I don’t know you at all,” Chance said to Willow, a fake smile on his face. “And now you’re my stepmother.”
“Chance, was that really necessary?” Bryan asked. “Be nice.”
“Sorry,” he sighed. “It’s just strange.”
“That’s understandable,” Willow reassured. “I’m sure we’ll all be fine with time.”
“That’s right,” Bryan said. “We’re a family now.”
“Okay, enough of the heavy stuff. When can we eat? I’m starving,” Claire said, desperate to change the subject.
Bryan signaled the waiter, and the man took their orders before leaving with a smile. The family had breakfast amidst talks of how Bryan and Willow came together and other meaningless banter about the children’s childhoods. Meanwhile, Claire and Chance exchanged secret glances and leg rubs under the table, anticipating the next time they would be together.
“So, where are you going to live?” Chance burst out. “I assume you won’t be hopping from place to place with Willow now that you’ll be more settled.”
Bryan looked at Willow and then at the children. “We have been talking about that. I understand that you live in Miami now, and if it isn’t too much of an inconvenience, Claire, maybe we can move to my house in Los Angeles. Willow told me how much she would appreciate you being there with her.” Chance cocked his head to the side and smiled at Claire in an ‘I told you so’ manner. “I have a lot of connections, so if you want to change jobs, I can help you with that.”
“Wow! My entire life is being rearranged,” Claire said, sarcasm dripping from her lips. “You’re asking me to leave all I have in Miami at the drop of a hat?”
“I know it’s a lot, Claire, but I really need your blessing on this,” Willow pleaded with her eyes. “I know I cannot force you to go with me, but I’d really like it if you did.”
“Sure. Fine,” Claire said and threw her hands in the air in defeat. She did deserve some time off from work, and what better way than to live in the comforts of a mansion, all expenses paid, under the same roof as Chance, if she could convince him not to move to an apartment of his own. And even if he did, she could move in discreetly with him. She didn’t know how the logistics would work, but she knew they’d figure it out.
“Great,” Bryan said with a sigh of relief. “I think it’ll be a good idea for all of us to be together for a time just to get to know each other better.”
“Okay, so now that that’s settled, let’s enjoy this day. Why don’t we go on a little excursion together?”
“Oh, no,” Chance said and got up. “That’s too much family for me.”
“I have to agree,” Claire commented. “Too much, too early.”
“That’s okay,” Willow chimed in. “Completely understandable. Baby steps.”
“Alright,” Chance said and wiped his lips. “I will see you folks later.”
“I’m coming with you, Chance,” Claire said as she finished the last morsel of food on her plate. Anywhere but right there with their crazy love struck parents.
CHAPTER 14
Claire sat on the balcony looking across at the one similar to hers. She could see his silhouette, and she smiled as she thought about his hands on her body. Her mind circled around to their parents. By all indications, she and Chance wouldn’t see each other much, at least not openly. She wasn’t yet sure how they would keep their relationship a secret, but at present it was a necessary evil.