ADAM

As I decide what to eat for dinner, I can't help but mull over everything that has happened in the last weeks. Feeling ill is surreal at times. I heard from Erin that I got a heart attack, the doctor came in to explain how bad my situation was, and in my head, I couldn't comprehend the magnitude of it. It wasn't until I was alone with Claire that she helped to understand how I almost didn't make it. Seeing someone so tough as Claire looking so worried, made me realize that I was in serious trouble and still am. Every day all I wished for was to go home, go back to the club and life as I knew it, and every day the doctor would say: let's see how you are doing tomorrow.

A thing that kept me going was Claire's affection. That first kiss from Claire at the hospital left me slightly confused about our feelings, but now that they've become a regular thing I long for something more. I can't deny that my interest for her began since she made me a cup of tea. Her character is so much like my mother's; honest, determined, fierce. Each day that went by I admired her more and more. She wasn't only helping Sam, she was taking charge of the kitchen staff and earning their respect in no time. Sam can now work normal hours and has even been able to help in my absence thanks to her work. Now that Claire and I have spent time together, I've come to appreciate her humor and her conversations. Every morning, I look forward to her visits and how she makes sure I'm well and taken care of before she goes to the club. 

I haven't lacked visitors. The guys come to see me as often as they can and having them around gives me some normality back. I enjoy listening to their upcoming plans, whether it is my brother talking about cribs and changing tables, or Noah about starting a savings plan in case Jordan wants to go to college. I hope to one day add my own stories to theirs and certainly hope they include Claire in them. I still feel embarrassed about teasing Sam, but it ended up being a helpful conversation because finally I could be honest about not appreciating the jokes about my weight, or my health. Without a doubt, he told my brother and Noah, because they have both apologized.

And now, thanks to Matt, I've been enjoying having my parents around in the past days. It's the best gift we have received in a long time. I miss them as much as Erin even when I'm not as vocal as her about it. He's given them a place to lodge so that none of us feels pressured about entertaining them when life has us busy with other priorities. 

Just when I place a frozen meal on the counter, I hear a knock on the door. Who could be here so late?

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Claire."

I open the door and Claire's gaze goes down. I then realize I'm only wearing a towel wrapped around my waist.

"Hey, I wasn't expecting you," I greet her with a light kiss on her lips. "I assumed you would be in bed already."

"A bird told me you are working when no one's around. I wanted to check that you are resting and not plotting schemes and ideas for the club. Are you planning to eat that?" She moves past me and reads the label on the meal. "Did you buy this yourself?"

"I did. I went out and bought some groceries. Staying inside all the time was driving me crazy. I went walking like the doctor said I should."

"I'll make you something better than this," she places the meal back in the freezer. "Promise me you'll eat that only in emergencies."

I know that my lack of proper cooking skills has also contributed to my weight gain and I don't really buy my food based on quality, but more on quantity. Claire gets busy and I roll my eyes when she gets a box of instant brown rice that Sam probably bought.

"Don't look at me like that, I'll make you a low calorie stir-fry."

Considering the soggy pasta I was about to eat, her choice sounds more appealing. I take place at the dining table while she starts cutting ingredients.

"Were you about to take a shower?" She points at my towel with a wooden spoon.

"I... Ah... No... I sleep... Naked."

Claire chuckles and shakes her head. 

"Is it funny?"

"Sort of. Sorry that I interrupted your evening. Did you see your parents today?"

"Yeah, they came by again around lunch time. We took a walk outside and then went to O'Brien's for coffee. No worries, I only got a cup of tea and nothing else. Must admit that the piece of apple pie my dad got looked tempting. I'm happy they are around and that I can spend quality time with them. We don't get to see them often and I miss them."

"I heard Sam say they are planning to come by the club. Have they been before?"

"They came to the opening, but have never seen it in the way you and I know it. I'm allowed from my doctor to go back tomorrow and work for a few hours. It will make me happy to show them around."

Claire stops what she's doing to look at me. "How many hours is a few hours?"

"I'll work for two and then just enjoy my time there until I need to rest. I'll help Erin with the staff schedule and then I'll sit next to the bar and watch Rory work."

"You better. Everyone will have their eyes on you, including your mom."

Mom won't allow me to move if she's around. Since I can remember, she's always been next to my bed, taking care of me after getting ill. Out of politeness, I go to my room and put on some shorts and a t-shirt. When I return, Claire is scooping food on a plate. The smell makes my mouth water and I'm grateful that I'm getting a homecooked meal.

"This is delicious, Claire. Are you sure this is healthy?"

Claire smiles and sits next to me. "I think by now I know your nutritionist recommendations from the top of my head."

"You've been here everyday and I haven't thanked you properly for everything that you have done for me. Like Dad said, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be alive," I hold her hand over the table.

"I acted on instinct at first, but when you fainted in the emergency room, the thought of losing you terrified me. I care deeply about you."

"I care about you too. You understand me."

"I try my best. Now eat your food before it gets cold."

We continue our conversation as I eat, mostly a light catch up on what's been going at the club and then she yawns. 

"I'm going home. Glad to have found you were not working."

"Claire, I don't think it's responsible for you to drive when you are so tired. Why don't you stay?"

"Stay?"

"Yes. We can share my bed if you don't mind."

"I don't know what you have in mind, but I'm not easy, Adam."

"Oh! No... Really to sleep. I will feel very worried if you drive right now. I can sleep on the couch. I'm sorry if my offer implied something else."

She seems to consider my offer and another yawn seems to make the decision for her.

"Okay, we can sleep in the same bed. In the morning, since I know you haven't been cleared to drive, I can bring you to the club and then I can stop at my parents to change clothes."

"It's a good plan. I should be able to drive in about a week. I've been feeling okay, and I don't have pain. I just feel physically tired, but that's likely related to other things."

After clearing my meal, Claire follows me to my bedroom where she picks one of my hoodies to wear over her t-shirt. I hand her a new toothbrush, still in the packing and give her privacy. I wait for her to get in bed, since I don't find it polite to do it first.

"Can I take you out for breakfast tomorrow morning?" I ask when she comes in the room. My hoodie looks huge on her and it's simply cute. "Our first date?"

"I would love to."

We get under the blankets and I shiver when my body makes contact with the cold sheets.

"Are you okay?" She whispers and turns to look at me.

"Yeah, I am. Just cold."

Claire lifts her hand to cup my face and kisses me. I feel a situation rising in my shorts and I scoot away slightly. "As much as I want it, I don't think it's a good idea to make out in my bed."

Claire seems to ponder about something. "When was the last time you had sex?"

The last time was with my ex-girlfriend. When was that? No, this can't be right.

"Aaah... I believe it was about five years ago..."

"It's a miracle you haven't spontaneously combusted," she laughs. "I think I'm about to change my mind about what I said earlier."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Claire sits on the bed and then straddles me. I can't believe this is about to happen.

"Relax, Adam," she says as she caresses my chest over the fabric of my t-shirt.

The make-out session that follows is nothing like I have experienced before. The way her hands move all over me and how she makes me place mine on her breasts are definitely the confirmation that she changed her mind. I make her lie down in bed and make love to her. After I climax, I fall on my pillows and my heart races, but not in the way they did when I was ill. These are the heartbeats of a healthy heart.