Robin Alexander - Murky Waters

After they successfully drained the coffeepot and shared a shower that left them content and happy, they set out for the outlet mall. Claire felt like doing the driving, so they took her Jeep. She watched Tristan out of the corner of her eye as Tristan squirmed to get comfortable in the passenger seat. “You don’t like being chauffeured, do you, dear?” Claire asked with a grin.

“I suppose it’s a control issue. I like to be the one in the driver’s seat, but don’t worry about me over here.” Tristan squirmed a little more as she slid the seat back to make more room for her long legs.

Claire merged onto the interstate and shot off like a rocket, driving like she was in the Indy 500. When she came up behind a 171

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slower car in the left lane, she began to grumble. “It’s the long slender peddle to the right. Step on it, chucklehead!” When the car did finally move over into the right lane, Claire pulled alongside and glared at the driver. “I just wanted to catch a glimpse of a total moron,” she growled. “Claire, honey? You doing all right over there? You seem a little tense today,” Tristan said as she hung on for dear life.

“Nope, I’m fine. I always drive like this. When you drive in Houston traffic, it tends to make you a little aggressive,” Claire said with her eyes glued to the road.

Tristan reached over and took Claire’s hand into her own.

“What’s really on your mind? You know you can tell me anything.”

Claire glanced over at her and said, “It’s nothing, love. I’m okay, really.” After a moment, Claire sighed. “I dread having to face him Monday morning.”

Tristan lifted Claire’s hand to her mouth and kissed it gently.

“You will only have to face him for a little while. He will not be coming back to work at Valor, and after our meeting, he will be escorted off the premises.”

Claire’s tension seemed to ease as the day went on. She was especially excited about the new comforter they bought for their bed. Of course, the change called for new drapes and a few other items to coordinate the look. She was glad that they brought her Jeep because it was stuffed full from their shopping adventure.

She laughed to herself remembering Tristan’s excitement when they left for the regular mall. Tristan made a beeline for the small pretzel stand near the food court. Claire watched in amusement as Tristan nearly inhaled a soft pretzel. Her eyes fluttered shut as she took the last bite. Claire figured she would need a cigarette and a nap after the way she enjoyed the snack.

They decided to have dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants that peppered Louisiana. Claire marveled at Tristan’s appetite as she consumed nearly an entire seafood platter by herself. Claire thoroughly enjoyed her platter of fried catfish and fries, as well as the hushpuppies that were continually brought to the table. For dessert, they dined on cheesecake and coffee until they both felt like they would explode.

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After arriving home, they were too miserable to simply sit in front of the TV, so they laundered the new linens and decorated the bedroom with their purchases. Tristan presented Ralph with a new cat bed in hopes that he would take to sleeping in it instead of hogging their bed.

He circled it, giving it a few sniffs. Claire thought he looked like he was scowling. In fact, he was. If his pet thought for one minute he would sleep in that monstrosity instead of her bed, she was dead wrong, though it might prove useful for storing his belongings. He still mourned the loss of his beloved catnip toy that had mysteriously disappeared.

“Tristan, why did you buy him that? He doesn’t look too pleased with it,” Claire said with a laugh.

“I was hoping he would sleep in it instead of on the new comforter. He nearly ruined my last one making his biscuits.”

Claire looked at Tristan curiously. “Making biscuits?”

“Yeah, you know ... when he flexes his claws back and forth, it looks like he is kneading dough, so I call it making biscuits.”

Claire laughed and kissed Tristan as she went to get the new linens from the dryer. Tristan looked down at Ralph, who was staring back up at her with an indignant scowl on his orange face.

“Come on, try it at least once, you little fuzzy bastard,” Tristan said as she tried to stuff him into the bed. Ralph squirmed from her grasp and went off to contemplate his revenge.

Claire and Tristan made the bed together and stood back to admire how it changed the appearance of the entire room. “I think we should christen the new sheets,” Claire said with a wink. “I feel the need to mark my new territory.”

Tristan cast her a sideways glance. “Mark your territory, huh? If you plan on peeing a circle around this bed, Claire Murray, you’ll have to sleep in Ralph’s bed.”

Tristan chased her into the bathroom, where they decided to share another shower. Just as Claire had desired, they christened the new sheets by making love until the early hours of the morning. Claire lay with her head on Tristan’s shoulder after they were both sated, enjoying the feel of the crisp linens and the warm body next to hers.

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Sunday morning bright and early, Cam and Lucy arrived for their long-standing breakfast date. They were pleasantly surprised to see that they would be eating in that rainy morning. Claire and Tristan had risen early, and due to the weather, decided to cook breakfast instead of going out.

Cam hated to bring up the issue with Mike during their time together, but he felt it necessary to get the unpleasant things out of the way first. “Claire, I have been thinking a lot about this thing with Mike. I agree totally with Tristan. Because of his conduct and his unwillingness to alter his behavior, it would be best if he moved along. Tomorrow morning, I want you and Tristan to come to my office before going upstairs. I think it’s best we meet with the Suarez division manager in my office first.”

With this agreed upon, they spent the rest of the morning enjoying each other’s company. Claire had been lovingly accepted into their inner circle, and she felt as though she was part of a family again. She watched the love of her life intently as she spoke with Cam and Lucy. Claire was amazed at all the wonderful things this woman had brought into her life.

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Monday morning came much sooner than Claire had desired. She held Tristan’s hand and fidgeted nervously as they rode to work together. She never liked being the center of controversy and felt like her presence alone had caused all the problems they were facing. Tristan seemed to sense what Claire was thinking and reassured her that Mike had brought this on himself.

Entering Cam’s office, Tristan and Claire were greeted by a man who didn’t appear to be much older than they were. In his business casual attire of khaki pants and a polo shirt, he smiled and held out his hand to Tristan, introducing himself while barely acknowledging Claire’s presence. That did not go unnoticed by Tristan. By way of greeting, she simply nodded her head and did not accept the handshake.

Claire had only met Eugene Morris once before and wondered why Suarez had allowed an inexperienced member of the management team to handle this situation. He had only been promoted to the position of human resources manager six months before she received her promotion.

He quickly got down to business and asked Claire to recount the events between her and Mike. After Claire explained everything in detail, she sat quietly as Eugene made notes. After a few more minutes of silence, which seemed like an eternity to Claire and Tristan, Eugene spoke.