He returned her sparkling gaze, “Yes, but not what you’re thinking.”
It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. He led her up the steps and out of the pool. The afternoon heat made for a smooth transition from water to air. The breeze only dried their skin as they walked to one of the umbrella tables. Sitting knee to knee, Tony reached into the pocket of his bathing suit. Claire gasped as her eyes adjusted to the umbrella’s shadow. In Tony’s outstretched palm, sparkling in the reflection of the June brilliance was Claire’s engagement ring, the one she sold.
Only her eyes moved as she looked from his hand to his face. Was he mad? What was he going to say? How did he get it? So many thoughts assaulted her mind. His true intent was not even on her radar.
Despite her concerns, his expression seemed soft-- almost fearful.
“Tony, how did you...?”
“I bought them back.”
Her stomach twisted, “I’m sorry. I needed money....’
He interrupted, “If I gave them back, will you promise not to sell them?”
“Why would you give them back?” she asked in all sincerity.
“Do I need to get on one knee? I suppose I didn’t do that the first time.”
She stood suddenly and backed away, almost tripping over the heavy iron chair. If she’d made him speechless with her pregnancy announcement, he’d certainly returned the favor with his proposal. Finally, as her eyes remained large, she said, “No, I’m not ready for anything like that.”
His eyes dropped. “No, never – or no, not yet.”
She saw his pain and instinctively moved forward. Kneeling before him, she said, “Tony, slow down. I told you, I like the dating thing... we never did that. Please don’t push too hard. In the last week we’ve survived a major game changer. I think we need to proceed with caution.” Everyone knows the game of chess requires planning and strategizing. Making moves too quickly often proves lethal for the offending piece.
He reached for her left hand and slipped the diamond ring onto her fourth finger. Prisms of color and light radiated from the large center stone as the smaller diamonds sparkled around its perimeter and from the embedded band. Of course it fit. It was hers. With a mischievous smile, Tony said, “I just wanted to make sure it still fit.”
Removing the platinum engagement ring, she handed it back to him. “I appreciate the offer. Don’t make me give you a definite answer. If I do, you won’t be happy. Let’s be content with what we have, for now.”
Reluctantly he accepted the ring. Holding her hand he bent his head and kissed her fingers, one by one. The warm sensation began where his lips contacted her skin and immediately radiated throughout her body. As he suckled each finger he confessed, “I have made some bad decisions... and done some things I regret in my life... but without a doubt... what I regret the most... is divorcing you.” His penetrating gaze held her emerald eyes captive. “If you tell me there is hope, that one day you’ll be Mrs. Rawlings again, I will wait.”
She didn’t reply. She was busy enjoying the sensation of his lips. It started with her fingers, moved to her hand, arm, shoulder, and by the time he reached the nape of her neck, Claire was moaning and lost to the world around her.
“May I get you out of this wet suit, Ms. Nichols?” He emphasized her name.
She answered heatedly, “Yes... and Mr. Rawlings... there is always hope.”
Text message, from Claire’s iPhone to Harry’s number: THE PLANE IS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FROM IOWA CITY. IT’S A LITTLE AFTER 4. SHOULD BE IN PALO ALTO AROUND 6:15 OR 6:30 PT. She hit send. Then thinking about it more she wrote a second message: THANK YOU FOR PICKING ME UP.
She settled into the plush white leather of the reclining chair and fastened her seatbelt. Closing her eyes she tried to think about Harry; however, her thoughts continually returned to Tony.
The copilot, a woman Claire didn’t know, spoke. The competent voice returned Claire from her daydreams. “Ms. Nichols, we are about to take-off. If you’d like to make any calls or send any messages, please complete them in the next few minutes. Once we are at cruising altitude I will be happy to get you anything you need.”
“Thank you,” Claire read her name badge, “Grace, I think I’m going to try to sleep.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the woman disappeared behind the door to the cockpit.
Claire removed her phone one more time. With an uncontained smile she wrote: THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY WEEKEND. I’M SO THANKFUL I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE WEDDING. Send.
She saw the icon for an incoming message: I WILL BE THERE. Claire frowned. It was from Harry. His normal pleasantries were gone. She knew without a doubt, tonight’s conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. A beep and another message: I HOPE THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY PART OF THE WEEKEND YOU ENJOYED? Her grin returned; the plane was starting to move. She replied: I BELIEVE THERE WERE OTHER PARTS TOO. BUT SINCE YOUR PLANE IS MOVING, I NEED TO TURN OFF MY PHONE -- CAN’T ELABORATE. She hit send and turned her phone to Airplane Mode.
With the seat reclined and a soft light blanket, Claire drifted off to sleep. It had been a long eventful four days. Just before sleep she realized Tony was right about something else: this was a nicer way to fly.
Simultaneously another text message conversation occurred. Interestingly, this one too was volleying between Iowa City and Palo Alto:
IC: WHAT NEW INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE RE: BREAK IN?
PA: BUILDING SECURITY TO SEND ME ENLARGED IMAGE OF PERP - WILL FORWARD AS SOON AS I RECEIVE. NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO BE USED WITH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE.