An Unfinished Story(75)

Claire nodded, and they both stood, walking in tandem toward the elevator. Claire’s heart rate quickened. She’d decided it was now or never.

Whitaker pressed the button, and they waited.

Claire felt like she was going to faint.

Once they’d entered and the door closed, Whitaker made a comment about the weather.

Claire took a deep breath and looked at him. It was in his warm eyes that she found her composure. She stepped toward him and put a hand on his chest.

Confusion painted his face.

“Do you ever plan on trying to kiss me again?”

He swallowed. “I . . . I’ve wanted to.”

She moved closer, her face inches from his. “Don’t give up on me, okay? I like you. A lot.”

“I like you too,” Whitaker whispered, touching her waist.

Letting herself go, Claire kissed Whitaker, and her heart soared.

When they reached her floor, the bell dinged, and the door opened. Whitaker took her hand. “Don’t go.”

“We can’t stay in here forever.”

Whitaker stole another kiss as she slipped out of the elevator. “I’ll meet you in a few.”

The door closed.

Her desire for him was undeniable. She felt it all over.

Back in her room, she retrieved the wedding band and diamond ring from the soap dish in the bathroom. Holding them tight in her hand, she said, “I’ll always love you, David. Infinity times infinity.” As she placed the rings inside a compartment in her Coach makeup bag, she wrestled with the guilt of moving on. David would have really liked Whitaker and would be so happy for her. Even as mad as she was at David, she still cared what he might think.

Waiting for Whitaker, Claire sat cross-legged on the white leather sofa in the lobby. Electronic chill played on the speakers, but she wasn’t paying attention. She was thinking about their kiss.

Whitaker came around the corner with his bag on his shoulder.

Claire gasped. He’d shaved his mustache. “Aren’t you handsome?” she said, standing. “What got into you?”

He ran a finger above his upper lip. “It was time; that’s all.”

“Then you deserve a reward.” She approached and planted several kisses on his lips. By the time she let go of him, he certainly knew how much she liked him.





Chapter 31

AN OLIVER TWIST

Back in St. Pete, as the orange ball in the sky signified noon, Claire and Whitaker pulled into the parking lot of David’s old architecture firm, Wyatt and Jones, on Fourth Street. Focusing on steel, brick, and sharp angles, the result was one of the most stylish in St. Pete, and David had been instrumental in the design.

As Claire turned off the car, Whitaker asked, “Do you want me to wait here?”

Claire thought about his question for a moment. There was nothing to be ashamed of in bringing another man inside. And she could use the support. “No, please come in. You should see the inside. It’s really a sight to see.”

They walked around to the front. The bamboo entry doors were flanked by vertical gardens called green walls. The succulents and moss glistened from a previous watering. Pulling back one of the doors, they entered the high-ceilinged space, and Claire felt a ripple of nervous anticipation. She hadn’t been here since she’d come in to pick up David’s belongings only days after his death. It had been a day of hugs and tears shared by Claire and all his coworkers, who’d told her how much he meant to the firm. Someone had even called David the mascot.

Light poured in from the large windows, making the giant potted plants very happy. Other than a few patches of exposed brick, the walls and floors were shades of white. Twenty men and women were either sitting or standing at their electric desks. The noise of phone calls, printers, and brainstorming filled the room.

Stopping halfway through the lobby, Claire pointed to her right, seeing David’s old workstation. “That’s where he used to sit. When he started, there were only eight of them in the firm. It looks like they’re growing.”

“I wonder if my dad’s been in here. It’s quite the building.”

“Yeah, they used to be crammed into a corner suite in the office park across the street from the Publix. They built this maybe six years ago.”

“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed it before.”

“It’s funny how you might be right next to something, but you don’t notice it until you’re meant to.” Claire turned to Whitaker to make sure he caught her meaning.

He certainly did. “Isn’t life something?”

Claire scanned the room, noticing several familiar faces. A man named Zeke in chinos and a plaid shirt spotted her and nearly jumped out of his chair, coming their way.

“Claire,” he said, flashing his teeth, opening his arms.

“Hi, Zeke. It’s so good to see you.”

Zeke gave her a tight squeeze. “You look great,” he whispered.

Claire thanked him and looked back to the center of the room. She hadn’t seen most of these people since the funeral. “Lots of new faces around here.”

“I know! We’re growing like crazy.”

“So is St. Pete.”

“That’s exactly right. It’s a good time to be an architect.”

Claire gestured toward Whitaker and introduced him as her friend.