This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel (21 page)

Warm regards
,

Professor
Barnardo

Professor
Barnardo
had been Claire’s professor when she did her study abroad in Catalonia, and he had been a great ally in helping Claire gain access to the most exclusive reference sources. Now, Professor
Barnardo
had worked his magic again by getting his hands on the missing piece of the puzzle that Claire needed desperately to substantiate her hypothesis. All that was left to do now was wait and hope that she had been right.

An hour later, Claire received a call from the reception desk downstairs, notifying her of a flower delivery that was on the way.

“Ms. Chatfield? Would you sign please?” The delivery man placed a gigantic basket of white roses on Claire’s desk.

Claire scribbled her name on the pad and burrowed her face in the luscious scent. David sure knew how to spoil a girl when he wanted to. There was no card, but Claire knew that the flowers had to be from him.

Jake whistled. “David Lawson sure knows how to make an impression.”

“David doesn’t need to impress me,” Claire murmured. “I’d be just as happy with a bunch of daisies.”

At a quarter to twelve, Claire got up from her desk and grabbed her purse.

“Has the earth turned on its head that you are actually going out to lunch?” Jake’s needling never ceased.

“Can’t a girl take a break? I’m meeting Amber and Lindsay.”

“Tell Lindsay I said hi.” Jake’s voice sounded strangely thick as he coughed in a sudden fit of awkwardness.

Claire eyed Jake suspiciously. “I will.”

There was a cab by the curb right outside of her office building, and Claire quickly climbed inside. She gave the driver the address for
Matisse
restaurant, where she was to meet with Lindsay and Amber for lunch. Then she leaned back against the seat.

At exactly twelve o’clock, Claire arrived at her destination.

She gave her name to the hostess and took a seat at the table that Amber had reserved for them. As usual, Amber had gotten the best table in the restaurant.

As she waited for her friends to arrive, Claire fiddled with a breadstick, an absent-minded smile spreading over her face. She certainly had many reasons to smile: not only was her love life back on track, but so was her professional life. She was literally on the brink of a career-making discovery. In a few days, the package from Professor
Barnardo
would arrive, finally giving Claire the evidence she needed. Her heart raced with anticipation. Her discovery would create a stir in architectural circles world-wide. David would be so proud of her. She could not wait to tell him the big news.

“Looks like someone had a good weekend.”

In her reverie, Claire had not noticed Lindsay make her way to the table.

“Hey!” Claire rose from her chair to hug her friend. “You’re positively glowing yourself. Anything you want to tell me about?”

“Oh, I met someone…” Lindsay lowered her eyes coyly.

“Yeah? That’s great. I told you you’d meet a great guy. Now, tell me all about him.”

“It’s Jake,” Lindsay blurted out, her face reddening.

For a moment, Claire was too stunned to speak. Not that she had anything against Jake and Lindsay being together, it was just that Jake did not exactly have a stellar dating record.

“But if you’re not comfortable with us seeing each other, I’m going to break the whole thing off.”

“No! That’s not it at all. I think Jake is great. It’s just that he can be a little…” Claire paused searching for the right word.

“Flirtatious,” Lindsay finished for her. “But I’m going to take my chances.” Lindsay smiled dreamily. “That is of course, if it doesn’t make you feel weird.”

“Why would it make me feel weird? You’re my best friend. I want you to be happy.”

“I am your best friend.” Lindsay preened at Claire’s words. The unspoken rivalry between her and Amber never ended. “Thanks, Claire. I know that I might regret it later, but I decided to take my chances. Normally, I’d run in the opposite direction from a guy
like Jake. He’s gorgeous and can have his pick of women, but he chose to spend the entire evening with me, even though there were hotter girls eyeing him at the bar.”

“You’re hot.”
With her red hair, lanky body, and blue-green eyes, Lindsay was the spitting image of Emma Stone.

Lindsay wrinkled her forehead. “I’m cute, and I’ve got personality. For the longest time I’ve picked average-looking guys, thinking that they were a safe bet - that because I was better looking than them, they would not cheat on me. But look at what happened with Matthew. He went ahead and married another girl a month after we broke up. It did not matter that he was shorter than me by three inches and had a bald spot. The way I see it, if I’m going to get dumped, I might as well enjoy the ride with a
hottie
like Jake while it lasts.”

“You won’t get dumped.” Somehow Claire knew that she was right. Jake was not only a good friend, he was her colleague, and she was certain that he would not have asked Lindsay out unless he really liked her. “I think the two of you make a great couple.”

“Thanks.” Lindsay blushed again. “We spent the whole weekend together, and I can’t wait to see him again. Hey, maybe the four of us could double date? But look at me babbling away… How are things between you and David? Are they still working him hard at the office?”

“He’s fine. He’s under a lot of pressure at work, but we spent most of Friday and Saturday together, and I feel much better now. He’s so romantic. He sent me flowers this morning.”

“Who’s romantic? Sorry I’m late!” Amber panted, making her way to take a seat next to Claire.

“David, of course. I was just telling Lindsay about the flowers he sent me this morning.”

For a moment Amber’s face reddened, but then assumed its usual color.
“So you liked them?”

“How could anyone not like roses that gorgeous?”

“Was there a card?” Amber prodded.

“No, there was no card, but I’m sure they were from David. It’s not like I have secret admirers sending me flowers.”

“Yes, of course.” Amber fiddled with her necklace. “Should we order then? I could really use a drink. Apple martini anyone?”

“I’ve got to get back to work after this, so I’ll pass.” Claire took a sip of her water.

“I’ve got a deadline, so I’ll get an Arnold Palmer,” said Lindsay.

“That sounds good. I’ll have the same,” said Claire.

Amber signaled for the waiter and ordered drinks for the table.

“Excuse me a moment.” Amber reached for her Blackberry, her face filled with concentration as she typed an email.

Lindsay cast an inquiring glance at Amber. “Are you all right?”

“Just had a small client emergency, but everything is under control now.” Amber’s face relaxed as she put her Blackberry back into her purse.

The waiter came back with two Arnold Palmers and three apple martinis, compliments of the chef. As usual, Amber was getting the star treatment.

“But I have to go back to the office,” Lindsay started.

“Oh, don’t be such a killjoy,” Amber snapped. “Let’s drink to Claire’s engagement.”

“But we’ve already done that last Thursday,” Claire attempted to intercede.

“Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean that we can’t do it again, right?” Amber countered, raising her glass. “To you and David.”

“
Mmm
, this is really good.” Claire savored the pleasant sourness of her drink.

“So, how did it turn out with Jake? I want to hear all the details.” Amber looked at Lindsay.

“How come you knew about this, and I only just found out?” Claire nudged Amber.

“Because unlike you, I don’t leave early from my own engagement party.”

“I had a good reason to leave early: it would have been a bit awkward for me to stick around without my fiancé by my side, don’t you think?” Claire had an instant flashback of the disappointment she had felt when David announced that he had to get back to the office. She had refused to leave with him, wanting him to believe that she was perfectly capable of having a good time on her own, but ten minutes after David had left, she herself said goodnight and headed home.

“After you left, those two were all over each other, and I’m dying to hear how the night ended.” Amber grinned.

“Spectacularly, and I hope
there’ll be many sequels to come.” Lindsay winked.

“Oh?” Amber raised an eyebrow. “Do tell more.”

“That’s all you’re going to get out of me. I never kiss and tell.” Lindsay gestured a locking motion over her lips. “How are things with you and Adam?”

“Well, I don’t kiss and tell either.” Amber mimicked Lindsay.

Both Claire and Lindsay exchanged dubious glances.

“Okay, fine.” Amber flung up her hands. “I think I’ve fallen for him.” She shook her head and finished the rest of her drink. “That sounded like a line from
Top Gun
.”

“The two of you look real
ly good together,” Claire cut in
. “And you’ve been together for some time now,” Claire added cautiously. Amber’s relationship with Adam had been Amber’s longest relationship to date, not counting her going steady for two years with Rich Marvell, the high school football captain whom Amber dated in her junior and senior years. The two of them made such a perfect couple that it was almost a cliché. Lots of girls wanted Rich, but he chose Amber, who also happened to be the Homecoming Queen in her senior year. The night of the high school prom, Amber planned to lose her virginity to Rich, but apparently he had other plans, which she discovered when she caught him in
the girls’
bathroom groping Laney
Foolstock
, the captain of the cheerleader squad who was famous for her ability to flex her limbs at all kinds of angles.

“It hasn’t been that long. Only a couple of months,” Amber countered, making Claire wish she had not said anything. “But then maybe I ought to be moving on,” Amber mused.

“Why?” Lindsay snapped. “Why would you move on when you were lucky enough to meet a guy who is not only gorgeous but also happens to be genuinely into you?”

“Because I don’t like to get stuck in a rut, that’s why.”

“If I were to follow your logic, then I shouldn’t marry David,” Claire cut in.

“Oh, no. David is perfect. Don’t you even think about something like
that!
” Amber’s eyes widened with indignation. “I’m just not the settling kind, that’s all; but if I were, I’d marry a guy like David in a heartbeat.”

“Look, I’ll be the first to admit that relationships are not easy. Once you’ve been together for a while, it’s easy to settle into a routine. Take me and David. Last week I almost suspected him of cheating…”

“You did?” Amber’s hand flew to her face. “What happened?”

“Nothing. We talked, and David explained everything. He really was busy at the office.”

“And you believe him?” Lindsay wrinkled her forehead.

“Of course, she believes him,” Amber cut in before Claire could answer. “A man like David has no need to lie. He can have any girl he chooses, but he’s in love with our Claire.”

“It turned out that I overreacted a bit,” Claire conceded. “David really was busy at the office. Do I like it that he has such a crazy schedule? No, but it’s all about give and take, you know, and it’s worth it in the end.”

Amber glanced at her watch, making it clear that this conversation was now closed. “I’ve got to get back to the office. I have a client meeting.”

“Fine.” Claire shook her head. “But I really hope that you give Adam a chance.”

“I just want to get some gum.” Claire motioned at the newsstand a few steps away from the restaurant. She certainly did not want anyone at the office to smell alcohol on her breath.

“Hang on, I might have some.” Amber searched her purse frantically. “Here, I’ve got Tic
Tac
.” Amber held up a Tic
Tac
case with one remaining Tic
Tac
in it.

“I need something more powerful than that.” Claire moved toward the newsstand.

“Oh, but don’t you know that gum is bad for your teeth?” Amber exclaimed. “It can loosen fillings, you know.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Claire was almost near the window now. “A pack of
Doublemint
, please.”

“Let the girl get her gum,” Lindsay added, casting a puzzled glance at Amber. “I might as well get some myself.”

“Here you go, Miss. That’ll be two dollars, please.” The clerk handed Claire the gum. “Miss, it’s two dollars.”

Claire stared back in frozen silence, her eyes glued to a crumbled tabloid magazine on the left side of the kiosk. The headline read:

Flashlight’s exclusive story – Hollywood legend, Claudia Blo
ck
and real estate heir, David Lawson – get the inside scoop on their steaming romance!