Involuntarily she smiled. He looked so laidback and informal, in jeans and a button down shirt. She noticed how his crisp shirt was pressed and untucked. His hair was perfect, and his face freshly shaven. Her eyes went back to the jeans. Claire always liked Tony’s long legs in blue jeans. When his dark eyes met hers, her breathing stopped. She immediately judged his expression. His cheeks rose and a small smile came to his lips. Claire exhaled with a sigh of relief. She didn’t want more confrontations. If this charade was to proceed, she wanted to learn the specifics and go on with her life.
Unexpectedly, he bent down and kissed her cheek before taking the seat across from her. Claire’s eyebrows rose suspiciously as she eyed the man across the table. He responded with a mischievous grin and crooned, “Good morning, Claire. It is nice to see you aren’t late.”
His pleasant greeting eased her tightly strung nerves, she chuckled, “Yes, you see there was this man I used to know. He was a real stickler for punctuality.”
“Really? It seems as though he must have been a good influence. His persistence appears to have paid off.” Tony’s brown eyes glittered, reflecting the sunlight through the windows.
“I’m not sure about his influence, and insistence would better describe it. But since you mention it, persistence is something he’s definitely mastered.”
“Hmm, sounds like my kind of man. I’d like to meet him.”
Claire shook her head good-naturedly, “No, I don’t think you’d like him.”
Tony’s eyes opened wider, “You don’t?”
“No, he has real control issues. You two would probably clash.”
“Because... you think I have control issues?” This time Tony’s eyebrows rose.
Claire leaned forward, as if telling a secret. Her eyes sparkled with the lightheartedness of their conversation. “I hate to be the one to break it to you... but yes, you do.”
Tony’s laughter filled her ears. Finally he asked, “Don’t you want something to eat?”
“No, not really, I ate earlier.”
“I’ll get us some coffee then.”
Although she usually loved coffee, the idea didn’t sound good on her recently emptied stomach. “Could you get me an iced tea instead?”
Tony eyed her skeptically, “Sure, unsweetened, correct?”
Claire nodded.
When Tony returned with their drinks they began to discuss this public reconciliation. Although the cafe bustled with patrons, their voices remained low and private. “Claire, I’m pleasantly surprised by your accepting attitude this morning.”
She sipped her tea, “Don’t mistake it for pleasure. I don’t like being bullied into this situation. However, I see signs of compromise. It gives me hope.”
“Compromise?”
“In your own way, you’re trying to be accommodating. If you weren’t you would’ve tried to stop me from leaving last night, or you would’ve insisted on riding with me. I see that.”
Tony nodded, considering her words. Then he asked, “Hope, what do you hope for?”
“That this won’t last long. That we can remain friends and be honest with the world.”
As she spoke, clouds darkened his gaze. “I see,” he took a drink of his coffee. “I hope... you change your mind.”
“See what I mean. That’s progress. I honestly don’t intend to change my mind. However, I will admit, when you aren’t being a controlling ass who’s threatening my friends or my friends’ company,” she smiled coyly, “you can be charming.”
“Thank you, my dear.” He snorted, obviously shocked by her candor, and replied, “When you are being bold and cheeky, the spark in your gorgeous green eyes makes my initial irritation fade. At that point, I see you for what you truly are.”
“Oh really, what am I?”
“Sexy as hell,” he leaned closer. His words slowing to a sultry tenor, “And when you are being reticent and genteel, I find you irresistible.”
She felt her insides quicken and her cheeks blush, just like in the picture. “Well, then I guess I can behave in any manner without fear of consequences.”
“As long as you are doing it with me, my affection will prevail.”
Claire shivered at the possible implications of his words. Playfulness left her tone, “Tony, I don’t intend to be with you all the time. I’m not moving back to Iowa.”
“I’m a busy man, Claire; I can’t be flying to California every other day.”
“Then we won’t be seeing each other every other day. By the way, when do you need to be back?”
Dryly he said, “I have my own plane. I don’t have a schedule to maintain.”
“I’m aware of your plane. I thought you might have meetings or a date or something.”
The clouds returned, “I won’t be having any dates with anyone except you. That was the point of the news release.” His voice lowered as his tone hardened, “And neither will you.”
She sat straighter, “This is what we need to discuss. Define date.”
His hesitant expression glared -- his gaze loomed shades darker than moments before. “A date is the going out in public of a man and a woman.” He scanned the cafe. “I suppose it could be a man and a man or a woman and a woman; we are in California.”
“Well, that happens in Iowa also. But my point is two people can go out in public and be friends, not dating.”