In Duffs We Trust

Part 6 Dinner With Blue Eyes

Claire looked over her choice of dress. She smoothed down the cotton material before moving to her vanity. She had to admit that her shopping trip went smoother than she had hoped. Claire just hoped Chris would like her dress.

Claire pulled her hair back into a high pony tail before she began working on her makeup.

Thirty minutes later claire stood downstairs having a glass of wine as she waited on Chris to show. Glancing at her clock above the table informed her he was ten minutes late. Claire moved to the small table by the door and grabbed her cell sending a text.

Hey, everything okay? - C

She hit send and waited while pouring another glass of wine.

Suddenly her phone dinged and Claire flipped open her texts.

Can we reschedule?  Something came up last minute?  So sorry Claire. - C.

Claire sighed and hit reply.

Sure - C

Claire sat her phone down and looked at her glass of wine. She thought for a moment and then grabbed her phone calling the one man who wouldn't stand her up....Tom.

"Hello, love" Tom spoke softly.

"Hi, are you busy?" Claire asked hoping he was free.

"Not at all. Don't you have a date?" Tom asked.

"Did, but it was rescheduled."

"I am sorry sweet" Tom spoke sadly.

"No, worries. It's my run of luck. Anyways, care to have dinner with me?" Claire asked feeling a bit of liquid courage.

"I would love that. I'll be by to get you in 30" Tom spoke his voice revealing his excitement.

"See you soon" Claire spoke and hung up.

Claire smiled to herself and took another sip of her wine. Dinner with a friend was exactly what she needed.

Tom looked at his phone in shock at Claire's words. Had she just called and asked him to dinner? He must be dreaming. He didn't care. His evening wasnt full of anything aside from a scotch and a book. He quickly hit the gas and headed to his apartment for a quick shower and the sooner the better. He smiled thinking of Claire. Whatever Chris 's reason he thanked him. Now he could spend some time with claire and hopefully tell her how he felt about her, at least he hoped he could.

Thirty minutes later....

Claire had finished her 3rd glass of wine and was feeling more relaxed then she had in a while. She touched up her makeup and headed back downstairs just as the doorbell rang. Claire smiled and with one final look in the mirror opened the door. Claire couldn't help her mouth as it flew open seeing Tom standing on her doorstep a single white rose in his hand. Wait this was a casual dinner wasn't it? She thought to herself.

"Claire, you look stunning"  Tom spoke his voice rough.

"Thank you. You look handsome as well" Claire smiled at him.

"This is for you" he gestured handing her the rose.

"Thank you" Claire blushed taking the rose from him.

Their hands touched and claire couldn't help the spark she suddenly felt. Tom took notice too and cleared his throat.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

Claire nodded grabbing her clutch and keys before closing the door behind her and following Tom to his car.

Tom immediately opened the door for Claire and she smiled before slipping inside. Tom shut the door and Claire took a deep breath smelling his Cologne that hug lightly in the car. Tom climbed in and buckled before turning to Claire.