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For the first time since I sat down, Claire looks at me properly. This close to her, I can see dark smudges beneath her eyes, and her eyes look cloudy instead of bright. Something is wrong. The realization punches me in the gut. Damn.
"Don't be sorry," Kara says. "The guy was terribly dull and boring."
"What are you talking about? He was perfect for Claire."
Claire stares at me as if I've lost my mind. Clearly, she wasn't expecting me to defend her, but when it comes to her choice in men, she has two thumbs up from me.
"Thank you, Dylan."
Her gratitude sounds stiff and formal, but it's been a long time since I gave her any reason to be happy with me. She probably doesn't remember how to interact with me without wanting to clobber me.
Since I don't know how to act around her when she's not annoyed with me, I can relate. Even as she uncrosses her arms and lets her posture relax a little, I can't take my eyes off the gentle swell of her breasts and the long, elegant line of her neck. The skin there looks smooth and far too kissable. And when I lean in a little closer, I can smell the sweet and spicy scent of her perfume.
"He was boring," Kara says.
"He was predictable," I correct her, grateful for the argument to take my mind off how good Claire looks and smells.
"It's the same thing."
"There are worse things to be in life than predictable," I say firmly. "Especially for Claire."
"We happen to vehemently disagree with you," Kara says, gesturing to Tori and Danni as if they were some kind of jury passing judgement.
Is this why Claire is so sad? Because her friends are giving her a hard time about her latest Wall Street guy?
"What is this? Some kind of intervention?"
I ask the question jokingly, but none of them smile in response.
"That's exactly what this is," Kara says.
"Well, that's just stupid. Her Wall Street types are perfect for her."
"Are you saying Claire is boring?" Danni asks.
"No—"
"Then you're saying that Claire is staid and unexciting?" Kara asks.
"I don't think that's what he's saying," Claire says.
Claire is sticking up for me. That's a first.
"Then why would you want her to date someone who she doesn't have fun with?" Tori asks.
"I'm not suggesting she dates someone who she doesn't have fun with."
"Could have fooled us," Danni says.
I shake my head, perturbed by the direction the conversation is taking. "You guys are crazy."
Kara leans on the table and asks, "Are you telling me you'd have absolutely no problem with Claire dating Sam? If Sam is someone Claire could have fun with?"
There is a small, rather wicked half-smile on the redhead's face that makes me feel as if I've just been played. Worse than played – Kara has declared war on Claire's taste in men and she's just used me to further her attack.
Claire tilts her head to the side and stares at me, waiting curiously for my answer.
"Austin wouldn't approve of them dating."
