But how could she accept Vic’s offer to stay on another year, knowing it would only be putting off the inevitable? With her credentials, she could always find work in her field, but if she remained in his employ, a year from now Claire would be in the same position she was now, heartbroken and looking for a job.
Who knew the changes that could come in another year? Vic might meet someone and fall in love. Claire was surprised it hadn’t happened before now. Then he’d get married and Claire would be let go. Her suffering would be so intolerable, she knew she had to make the break now or pay the price.
“Hi, Jeremy,” she said as he opened the door and jumped in the backseat with his school project. “Did you have a fun party?”
“It was okay. Will you drive me to Nate’s? If I can’t play at his house, can he come over to our house with us? We’ll give Comet a bath.”
“That sounds like a fun idea, but your dad asked me to bring you home because he has plans to be with you.” She pulled away from the curb and started down the street toward home.
“But Nate and I want to play.”
Normally he couldn?
??t wait to be with his father. She took a deep breath. “You can tell him that as soon as we get there.”
“Please don’t take me home.”
Alarms bells went off. Jeremy was up to something. Claire could feel it. Maybe he was planning on using Nate as an excuse to run away. He’d told Vic he’d do it. Was that idea in the back of his mind?
“Jeremy? I promised your father he could always count on me. You wouldn’t want me to break my promise, would you?”
“He won’t care.”
Whoa. “But I care.”
“No, you don’t. You’re going to leave.”
She heard tears in his voice and it broke her heart. Thank heaven she could see Vic on the front porch waiting for them as she pulled into the driveway. It prevented her from having to say anything because he walked toward the car and opened the back door to reach for Jeremy.
“I’ve been anxious to see you, sport.” He picked him up. “How was your last day of school?”
“Stupid. I wanted to go over to Nate’s, but Claire said I had to come home first.”
Vic exchanged a silent message with Claire. “She was right. You and I have plans for the rest of the afternoon.”
“What are they?”
“After you go to the bathroom and wash your hands, come on out to my car, and I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.”
“Is Claire coming, too?”
“I can’t,” she spoke for Vic, saying the first thing that came into her mind. “My parents are expecting me. But I’ll see you tonight before you go to bed.”
His expression hardened like stone before he wiggled out of Vic’s arms and ran inside the house. “Quick, before he comes back out, Claire. How did the interview go?”
She struggled to remain composed. “I was offered the position.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” He put his hands on the framework of her car while his black eyes studied her features. “Have you made a decision yet?”
Claire wished he wasn’t standing so close and averted her eyes. She could smell the soap he’d used in the shower. He was such a gorgeous man. “No, but I’m leaning toward the company that will pay part of my tuition to get a PhD while I’m working.”
“With a mind like yours, there’s no telling how far you can go. How long did they give you?”
“I have to let both companies know by next week.”
“That’s a big decision. I’d better let you get going. Have a nice time at your folks’.”
He moved away so she could leave. Her heart was splintering into little pieces. Vic could have no idea how much she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and blurt out how much she loved him. “Good luck at the appointment with Jeremy.”