and John paid for my beautiful green dress some years ago.”
Emily smiled. “You are right, we did. Of course, it was about $150. You tipped ten times that today. I am just not used to this new Claire. Give me some time.”
Claire handed Emily a bottle of water and offered her some blueberries as she silently prayed, “Please, let some food and water help my head.” The water tasted cool and refreshing. Then she thought about coffee, the amazing fragrance, knowing it would make her feel better. She decided she would ask Jan for some coffee when she got back to the apartment.
The traffic flowed much better than it had early in the morning. Before they reached the Hyatt, Emily’s phone rang. John wondered when she would be back. She told him they were close and that it’d been a long day. John reminded her that they were supposed to have dinner with Claire and Anthony, did she know any details? Emily said she didn’t but Claire promised to call them as soon as she got back to the apartment.
Emily gave Claire her cell number as she was got out of the limousine. She told Claire that it had been a great day and looked forward to their dinner tonight. They hugged and Emily went into the hotel. As Eric pulled away Claire laid her head back on the seat. Tears leaked from her eyes as they closed. Her head throbbed and she felt utterly spent. Somewhere between the Hyatt and Tony’s apartment building Claire fell into a sound sleep.
“Ms. Claire, we have reached Mr. Rawlings’s apartment.” She heard Eric’s voice. Claire opened her eyes and was immediately disoriented. She tried to familiarize herself with her surroundings, soon realizing she was in the limousine outside Tony’s apartment building. Eric held the door open and the cool November air helped Claire focus. She entered the building and went up to the seventy-sixth floor. As the elevator opened Claire’s face felt suddenly flushed and her heart rate increased. Tony stood at the door awaiting her arrival.
I think I’ve discovered the secret of life—
you just hang around until you get used to it.
—Charles M. Shulz
Chapter 27
Seeing your fiancé across the room should make your heart race. Seeing her fiancé standing in the doorway did that to Claire. Instead of accelerated by love though, she presumed it was anxiety. When she entered the building, her watch read 5:30. Her thoughts churned slowly through her aching head. Obviously, he had finished his work. She wanted to get home first . . . but she had Eric. How did he get home?
“Good evening, Claire.” His expression indifferent, she couldn’t read him.
Mask in place. The nap helped the headache, no longer pounding only gently aching. “Good evening, Tony.” She reached up to kiss him. He bent down to accommodate.
“You look beat. Did you find a gown?” He led her into the apartment. Claire exhaled and tried to explain the complexity of the day. The boutique was wonderful, too wonderful, with a selection that was too large. He helped her with her coat, gave it to Jan, and escorted her up the stairs to the bedroom. Halfway up the stairs, she remembered coffee.
“Oh, just a minute, Tony. Jan?” Claire stopped and went back down the stairs and called, “Jan?” The housekeeper returned to the foyer.
“Yes, Ms. Claire?”
“I need something from my coat pocket please.” Still holding her coat, Jan handed it back. Claire removed a small piece of paper from one of the pockets. “Thank you, could you please bring coffee upstairs?” Jan replied affirmatively and disappeared with Claire’s coat.
Claire proceeded up the stairs to Tony. He waited patiently, silently watching her. She handed him the piece of paper. He took it, unfolded it, and asked, “What is this?”
“It is Emily’s cell number. She gave it to me so I could call her with details of tonight’s plans.” Tony’s expression didn’t change. He wadded the paper, put it in the pocket of his slacks, and continued to escort Claire up the stairs. She wasn’t sure what his actions meant. However, his lack of response probably meant the end of that conversation. “I am sorry I’m so late. I had no idea this would be such a long day.”
Tony said that it was all worth it if she found her wedding gown. She told him she had it narrowed to two. The boutique had her measurements, and all that was needed was a call to let them know her