Ellie’s visit had spooked Nate, and then Claire had gone and spooked him more, fracturing the tentative trust she’d been so carefully fostering this week. Nate’s happiness was important to her, re-establishing their friendship had brought deep joy. She wanted to help him. The way he was helping her. If only the bloody man would allow it. Distracted by their fight, it was late afternoon before Claire remembered Jules was coming to dinner and she had nothing to feed her. And no car to go shopping with. Taking a deep breath, she phoned Nate’s cell and wasn’t surprised when it went straight to message. Maybe he was busy, more likely he was avoiding her call. Fine, I’ll be the grown-up, she thought, smiled at her sulky resentment and felt better. “Nate, it’s me.… Okay, I won’t mention the war.” She hoped he still appreciated black humor. “Dinner’s at six. Bring absolution.” Unsure whether he’d clear his messages, she phoned Jules with a shopping list, then showered and changed into black leggings and an off-the-shoulder knit in a pearlescent gray over a pink tank.
