Murky Waters

CHAPTER THREE

Tristan pulled the red pickup into the crowded parking lot of the Pastime Lounge nestled under an interstate overpass. Claire looked at it skeptically. “Tristan, this doesn’t look like a pizza parlor to me.”

“That’s because it’s a lounge, and they serve the best pizza in Baton Rouge,” Tristan said as she climbed out of the truck.

Clair reluctantly followed her into the old bar, and Tristan went to the counter to order their lunch. As Tristan suggested, Claire went off to find an empty table. Shortly after, Tristan appeared with two iced teas and took her seat.

“The pizza will be out shortly,” Tristan said as she squeezed lemon into her drink.

Claire looked around the room. “This place is not so bad. Is this where you bring all of your women to impress them?”

Tristan laughed. “I have not been out on a date for so long I’ve forgotten how to impress anyone. With my work schedule, it’s really hard to get involved. Many a relationship has died due to my sporadic schedule. I guess I have just given up.”

“I can relate to that well. I have moved so often due to my job.”

Claire sighed. “Although it has gotten me the promotions I’ve desired, it’s taken a toll on my love life.”

Both sat in awkward silence for a few minutes until Claire changed the subject. “So, how did you get into this business in the first place?”

“My dad was a port engineer for many years. He was one of the guys they called out when a boat had mechanical problems. When I was younger and before they got so stringent on safety, I would go with him. I just fell in love with the river and the boats. When I got out of high school, much to the displeasure of my parents, I 38

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decided not to go to college and went to work for Valor, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Claire smiled. “Tell me what it’s like to be born and raised in Cajun country.”

“I suppose it’s not much different than anywhere else. In kindergarten, we are taught to drive boats and how to wrestle alligators when they make their way out onto the roadway. The most time-intensive training is spent on learning how to cook crawfish properly, but that’s not until we take home economics in high school,” Tristan said with a smirk.

“Are you naturally a smart ass, or did you undergo some sort of training?” Claire shot back, impressed by Tristan’s sense of humor.

Tristan laughed, and Claire realized she liked the sound of it.

“Like I said, life in Louisiana is not much different than anywhere else. I will admit that there is a very eclectic group of people who live here. New Orleans is a fine example of that.

“When I was a little girl, I used to love to listen to my grandmother tell me all sorts of tales of how she grew up in the swamp. She told me how they cooked and ate opossum and hunted alligators to make belts and shoes. I was so disappointed when I found out that she really grew up just like me out in the suburbs of Baton Rouge.”

The counter called Tristan’s name, and she excused herself to get the pizza. Claire watched Tristan as she walked across the room and could not help but notice that Tristan turned heads everywhere she went. What was amusing to Claire was that Tristan didn’t even notice the attention. Not out of arrogance, but she was seemingly oblivious to how striking she actually was.

After eating the best pizza Claire ever had the pleasure of tasting, she and Tristan slumped down in their chairs and lit up a cigarette.

Claire wanted to know more about the beautiful woman who sat across from her. As she sat there, the list of questions grew longer in her mind.

“Umm, Tris? Do you mind if I ask you some more questions?”

Hopefully, by using the pet name Sam had used, Claire would be able to get her now quiet companion to open up again.

“I’m an open book. Ask me what you will.” She smiled at Claire.

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Claire paused and took a deep breath. “Okay, first, do you have siblings? Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

What is your favorite color? Do you have another favorite food besides pizza? Why is your cat named Ralph? Would you be interested in showing me around town sometime when we are both off work?”

Tristan just sat there blinking her eyes, trying to take in all the questions that had been thrown at her. She liked the last one the most but decided to answer all in order.

“No sibs. Dad passed away two years ago. Mom and I don’t see eye to eye, and when we see each other, it’s usually fireworks.

Blue is my favorite color. Mexican is tied with Italian. He’s named Ralph because I thought it was a funny name for a cat. I would love to show you around, but that is something we need to seriously discuss.”

Claire was a little taken aback by the last answer. “Discuss?”

“Claire, everyone knows about my sexual orientation. I’ve made no attempt to hide it. With us just working together, the rumors will fly. If we do things together after work, it will only add to the fire.”

“I’m sorry, Tris, I didn’t think about it that way. I don’t want to make things difficult for you. I just enjoy your company and thought it would be fun.”

Tristan interrupted. “I’m not saying that I don’t want to go at all.

My concern is for you. Unless I’m wrong, no one knows you’re gay. When we start to do things, rumors will fly. I was just trying to prepare you for the onslaught. Frankly, I’ve been trying to think of a way to approach this subject with you, but I didn’t know quite how.”

“I see.” Claire breathed a sigh of relief. She hated rejection.

“Since rumors will fly anyway, let them think what they will. I’m certainly not going to live my life in the shadows just because someone may talk about me. If their lives are so dull that they have to entertain themselves with my business, then I feel sorry for them. Besides, I’m not about to let what people say keep me from going out with you,” Claire said with conviction, not realizing how the last part of her declaration sounded.

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Tristan sat silently for a moment, and Claire could see the wheels turning behind her big brown eyes. “Umm ... will this be like a date?” She asked nervously.

Reluctant to scream, “Hell, yes!” Claire replied shyly, “What do you want it to be?”

“I asked you first,” Tristan shot back.

Claire decided to take a big chance. “Tristan, I would really like to consider it a date.”

Tristan grinned as her face began to color. “Good. Now, we have that settled. How about you let me make the plans since I’m the native?” she said nervously as she fidgeted with her napkin.

“Sounds good to me. I’ll leave it in your hands. What do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Ellen suggested I take you down to some of the fleet offices and introduce you to some of the gang there, but I figured you’d rather go for a ride down River Road. They’re expecting us to be out all day, and I would rather not spend it cooped up in a stuffy office listening to war stories.” Tristan smiled impishly.

“Perfect! One more thing, though?” Claire asked excitedly.

Tristan finished off the last of her tea. “What would that be?”

“What night are you planning for our date? A girl has to know these things in advance. I may have to get an emergency pedicure or something,” Claire said jokingly.

“Right now, Friday seems like a long way off, but I think that will have to be it. Besides, that should give us plenty of time in advance in case we need an emergency pedicure or have some sort of apparel conflict.”

Tristan drove down River Road, pointing out old plantation homes and different sites along the way as she listened to Claire’s excited chatter. They stopped at different fleets but remained on the levee, and Tristan gave Claire a pair of binoculars to look at the barges being set up for tow by their vessels.

“You can tell when a barge is empty by how high it sits up in the water. When they’re loaded, they are only a few feet above the water’s surface. When the barges are being loaded, the tankerman will open different valves to maintain an even flow of the product to keep the barge from tipping to one side, or listing, as we call it.”

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Tristan stood behind Claire and pointed over her shoulder at the white markers visible on the side of a passing empty barge. “When they load the barges, they sink it evenly into the water until they reach the desired ‘draft.’ So, if you are loading to a nine-foot draft, you will fill the compartments until the barge sinks into the water at the nine-foot mark on the bow and stern.”

Claire was barely aware of what Tristan was telling her. Instead, she was distracted by the closeness of Tristan’s body and the way her free hand felt on her shoulder. The sudden compulsion to turn face-to-face with Tristan was so strong that Claire had to step away, pretending that she had found something else of interest through the binoculars.

When they drifted into a comfortable silence on the drive, Claire wondered what was happening to her. She had seen so many sides of Tristan in the last forty-eight hours that the woman sitting next to her confused and intrigued her. And yet, she found herself undeniably attracted to a virtual stranger.

She glanced over at the subject of her desire and watched Tristan’s profile as she smoked a cigarette. The smoke spiraled around her dark head before blowing out the window. Aside from Tristan’s good looks, there was something that drew Claire to her.

Something she sensed in her presence when they first met.

Looking at her now, Claire realized that it was a lonely feeling the mysterious woman projected that Claire wanted to take away.

As promised, Tristan delivered Claire to her Jeep at 5 p.m. She noticed an envelope clipped to Claire’s windshield when she drove up. She glanced over at Claire, who stared wide-eyed at her vehicle.

“Claire? Is something wrong?”

Claire’s face was pale, and she sat staring at Tristan for a moment before she could find the nerve to speak.

“Claire, what is it? You’re white as a sheet.”

Claire stammered a moment. “It’s ... nothing. I just remembered there was something I was supposed to do.” She hated to lie, but she wanted to be alone at that very moment. She felt as though her whole world had been turned upside down and didn’t want to have to explain anything.

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Tristan was sure she was lying but was afraid to push the issue.

She was tempted to reach over and comfort Claire, but her behavior was so strange that Tristan was reluctant.

“I’m fine, really. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Claire said as she quickly jumped out of the parked truck and shut the door. Tristan watched as Claire pulled the envelope off the windshield and got into her vehicle. Tristan noticed the troubled look on Claire’s face as she started her Cherokee. She appeared to be crying as she drove off.

Claire didn’t look back as she pulled out of the parking lot. She was too stunned over her find that she could barely concentrate.

She lit up a cigarette in an attempt to calm herself. When traffic came to a stop, she debated opening the envelope. She stared at it for a long time, knowing what would be inside. Each time she reached for it, the car in front of her would start to move, so she decided to wait until she got home.

Once inside her apartment, Claire went straight to the room that served as her office and dropped the envelope on her desk. Then, she closed every blind in her apartment. She had goose bumps from head to toe. Now more than ever, she regretted not going to the police.

After pouring herself a glass of wine, she went back into her office. Sitting at her desk, she lit another cigarette and sipped her wine until she felt calm enough to open the brown envelope. As she reached inside, her heart sank when she felt the smooth picture paper. She pulled out the photos, and a small typed note was clipped to the stack. It simply read, “You cannot hide from me.”

Claire shivered as she saw her own image walking into the Valor building. The second was taken of her getting out of her Jeep at home. The third was the most chilling. It was taken of her in the very room she sat now. Nausea welled up inside of her when she realized the unknown photographer had been standing outside her apartment.

As Claire imagined a dark figure watching and recording her actions, she was overcome. She bowed her blonde head and cried out of fear and frustration. She wanted a new start and the problems of the past to remain behind in Houston. If this person were willing to go to the trouble to follow her here, what else would he or she be capable of?

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Feeling utterly alone and confused, Claire drowned her sorrows in a bottle of wine. After making sure the door to the apartment was locked for the tenth time, she lay on the couch, too afraid to get into her bed. Maybe she would be too relaxed and not hear if someone tried to get in. Ultimately, she felt safer on the couch.

She despised how this faceless person made her feel threatened in her own home. Feelings of anger would quickly be replaced by feelings of terror each time she heard a noise outside. She drifted in and out of sleep the entire night, jumping at the smallest noise, usually made by the icemaker or air conditioner.

The wine that Claire consumed did not keep her from dreaming.

Disconnected images filled her sleeping mind. Dark figures followed her every step, but when they drew close, there was no face. She ran as fast as she could, but she was moving in slow motion. When she awoke, the same agonizing fear she felt in her nightmares clung to her as she dressed.

When Claire got out of her Jeep that morning, she was swamped with feelings of paranoia. Walking as fast as she could into the building, she glanced around nervously. Once inside, she looked back through the tinted glass windows at the parking lot to see if anyone else was out there. To her dismay and relief, there was not a soul in sight.

When she made it to the third-floor offices, Claire was relieved to see Tristan already there. Even though they were only getting to know each other, Claire felt comfortable in Tristan’s presence. She silently debated whether she should confide in Tristan, then thought better of it. They hadn’t even gone out on their first date.

She decided not to burden Tristan with her problems until she knew where things would go between them.

Claire smiled at Tristan and went straight to her office. She put away her things and sipped her coffee as she waited for her computer to boot up. Today, she would bury herself in her work until she could work up the courage to call the police to see what could be done.

Tristan knocked softly on the open door. “Are you okay?”

Claire glanced up from her computer. “Sure. Why do you ask?”

“Well, for one thing, you were acting strange yesterday evening when we got to your car. At first, I thought you were afraid I was going to try to kiss you or something. This morning, you have dark 44

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circles under your eyes, and you look like someone who has the weight of the world on her shoulders.”

Claire sighed and laughed a little. “Tristan, it didn’t cross my mind yesterday that you were going to kiss me, so don’t worry. I just got some bad news is all, and if you will forgive me, I am not quite ready to talk about it.”

Tristan sensed Claire wanted to be alone. “Forgive me then for intruding. I’m here anytime you want to talk, no pressure. I will give you some time to relax before we begin with all the stuff we have to go over today.”

“Tristan, you were not intruding. I would do the same thing.

Thank you for being there.”

Tristan smiled and returned to her office. She tried to busy herself with her work, but her thoughts kept drifting to Claire.

Occasionally, she would glance over at the blonde going over the budget sheets for the month. Tristan watched as Claire ran her fingers nervously through her hair.

Movement in the outer room caught Tristan’s attention. Two crewmen had entered and were talking with one of the crew coordinators. Tristan watched as they both stole glances at Claire, who was totally unaware of their presence. Tristan could feel her hackles rise as both men stared at Claire as if she were some new and unconquered territory. Her pulse quickened when one of them made his way to Claire’s office. Her first instinct was to head him off, but she waited to see how Claire would handle herself.

Most of the men who worked the boats were decent, but a few were always on the prowl, and Tristan had no doubt Claire was the reason they stopped by before going to their assigned boat. She watched as the crewman entered Claire’s office uninvited and introduced himself. Claire stood and shook his hand. Tristan observed silently as he spoke with Claire, unable to hear the conversation through the glass wall.

He talked for a while, and Claire nodded occasionally. Claire said something and looked over at Tristan and smiled. Tristan openly stared at the bold one who was standing in Claire’s office, and when he glanced at her, her right eyebrow arched as she stared him in the eyes. He looked away quickly and made a hasty retreat to rejoin his fellow crewman. They left shortly after.

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Claire had to fight the urge to grin when she noticed how Tristan sent them running with just a look. Tristan made her feel safe and protected, which was something she desperately needed. She gathered her reports and joined Tristan in her office. “Are you ready to go over this month’s budget?” she asked as she entered the room.

“Sure, if you’re feeling up to it,” Tristan said as she joined Claire at the small conference table in the corner of her office. “I’m curious. Did Mister Stud ask you out?” Tristan asked with a smile.

“He sure did,” Claire responded with a smile of her own. “I quickly explained to him that I was already dating someone.

Although, the tan line on his left ring finger would have been a deterrent if I were interested in men.”

“You will get a lot of that, I’m afraid. You’re a very attractive woman, and word gets around on the river fast. Soon, many of them will be finding reasons to pay you a visit. Should it make you uncomfortable, just say the word, and I will make sure that you are not bothered,” Tristan said sincerely.

“I’m very capable of handling myself, but if it does become a nuisance, I may have to enlist your help. I’m sure the look you gave him made it quite obvious that he was not welcome, so feel free to cock that eyebrow up anytime you feel it necessary.” Claire said with a grin.

“Now,” Claire said as she spread the work out onto the table,

“this really concerns me.”

Tristan joined her and looked over the spreadsheets.

“For the last two months, your crew change budget has shot up considerably. You have gone up from twenty-two thousand dollars per crew change to thirty-one thousand dollars. Do you have any idea what has caused the increase?” Claire asked as she studied Tristan’s profile while Tristan studied the data.

“We really don’t have any more boats up north than normal. The northern crew changes are usually more expensive because we have to fly our men getting on and off the boats,” Tristan replied with her brow furrowed in concentration as she scanned the data in front of her.

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“Not to change the subject, but I have been meaning to ask this since I came here. Aren’t there any women who work on the boats?” Claire asked as Tristan turned to look her in the eyes.

“There are some women who do, but most of them are fleet boats that stay close to home. River towboats are really not a place most women want to work. The physical requirements are very demanding. That’s not to say that a woman in good shape couldn’t handle the job, but most women have no desire to spend thirty days at a time lugging rigging around and cohabitating with a bunch of sweaty, grimy men. I like to think we are just smarter than that,” Tristan said with a laugh.

Claire found herself lost in Tristan’s intense gaze once again. She had to shake her head to clear her thoughts. “Okay, so what is your theory on the conflicting travel budgets?”

“Well, nothing against you or your employees, but I don’t think they have researched the flights well enough. For example, right here, it shows our boats just south of Cincinnati on the river, but sometimes, it is cheaper to have the guys go into Louisville and drive up to the boat. In other words, it is best to research the airports all around the boat for the cheapest fare, instead of simply flying them into the closest city.”

“I see,” Claire said as she made notes. “If your people can give us a time frame we can work with, I can assure you that my staff and I can save you money. Did Rhonda ever try to work this out with you?”

“The only thing I ever got from Rhonda was attitude. Let’s get our people together and meet this afternoon. We can put our heads together and come up with some parameters that we can all work with and see what happens.

“Claire, aside from the fact that I am tickled pink that you are going out with me, I am truly glad you’re here. I think you’re going to give us a fresh perspective in here and save us money. I have to admit I’m truly impressed with what you have done so far,” Tristan confessed with a shy grin.

Shortly after, Mike and Lauren arrived. Claire got busy working with the agents, going over spreadsheets and generating the reports that Tristan needed. This alone took up their entire morning. Claire was so immersed in what she was doing she had not realized that half the day had already passed until Tristan asked her to lunch.

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Both agreed on a deli about a block from the office. Tristan chose a spot in the far corner of the restaurant, so they would be able to talk without everyone in the deli being able to overhear. She kept the conversation light during the meal in hopes that Claire would feel comfortable enough to tell her what was troubling her so.

When Claire didn’t volunteer any information, Tristan decided to broach the topic as gently as she knew how when she saw Claire looking around nervously.

“Claire? Do you want to tell me what is bothering you now? Are things moving too quickly with us? Are you regretting going out with me?”

Claire laughed. “Tris, slow down, honey. Right now, you are the one bright spot in my life. I am really looking forward to our date.

As a matter of fact, that has been the one thing that has helped me hold it together. What is bothering me has nothing to do with you.

I am just not ready to explain it yet. I will tell you this, though: just being around you is a comfort to me. Your willingness to listen means more to me than you know.”

Relieved to hear that she was not the problem, Tristan relaxed.

She didn’t want to push Claire into telling her anything until she was ready. Still, it bothered her that Claire would not confide in her.

The next two days flew by quickly. Tristan spent a lot of time with Claire preparing her for the crew changes that would start soon. During crew change, her department was extremely busy.

Fortunately for all involved, it only lasted a week, then things would quiet down until the next one started.

Much to Claire’s delight, Friday evening had finally arrived, and the butterflies in her stomach were working overtime. Tristan had told her to dress very casual, so she chose a short denim skirt and a sleeveless cotton top. True to her word, she had found the time to have a pedicure and was pleased with the results. She checked her makeup three times before Tristan arrived to pick her up, laughing at her nervousness each time she did.

She was still looking in the mirror, putting the last touches on her lipstick, when she heard a knock at the door. Even though she saw Tristan everyday, her heart leapt when she heard the gentle tapping. Claire peeked through the blind first, then opened the door for her date.

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Standing before Claire was the prettiest woman she ever had the pleasure of going out with. Tristan stood there smiling, dressed in a pair of neatly pressed khaki shorts with a short-sleeved denim shirt tucked into them. Instead of her usual ponytail, her long dark hair hung down her back, blowing slightly in the gentle evening breeze. Claire felt herself trapped in the gaze of Tristan’s beautiful brown eyes.

“Hey, look, we complement each other with the denim.” Tristan laughed. “I even got a pedicure since it seemed so important.” She thrust out a foot covered in a brown leather sandal. Claire laughed nervously and invited her in.

“I love this apartment, Claire, especially the loft up there. I could fill that whole ledge with plants. Ralph would have a blast on that spiral staircase, too.”

Claire noticed that Tristan was uncharacteristically chatty. She wondered if Tristan was as nervous as she was. She gave Tristan a quick tour of her abode and offered her a glass of wine.

“I better wait on the wine, Claire. I’m on an empty stomach, and I’m afraid it will go straight to my head. I don’t like to drive like that. If you would like to have a glass before we go, that would be fine with me.”

Claire chuckled. “I think I will wait until we get to the restaurant, too. Besides, I can hear your stomach growling from here.”

“Fine, Claire. Mock my hunger pains. I have not been able to eat a thing all day because of tonight. I may faint right here in your living room.”

Claire laughed at her antics. “Come on, drama queen, let’s get going. I don’t want you passing out and drooling on the new carpet.”

In the parking lot, Claire looked around for the red truck she had ridden in before. Instead, she followed Tristan over to a dark blue Mitsubishi 3000gt. “Is this your car, Tris?”

“Yep. The Ford is my company truck. I don’t get to drive old blue around that often. She’s got a few years on her, but she’s still in great shape.” Tristan opened the passenger side door and let Claire in.

While fastening her seat belt, Claire looked around nervously at the parking lot and grounds surrounding her apartment. She felt a twinge of panic welling up inside her as she wondered if she and 49

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Tristan were being observed. Determined to enjoy the night that she spent most of the week looking forward to, she steeled her nerves and pushed her fears aside.

“So, Miss Delacroix, where are we going tonight?” Claire asked as Tristan started the car, hoping that her date did not hear the tremor in her voice.

“Do you like Mexican food?”

“Love it!”

“I figured I would take you to one of my favorite spots. They have wonderful food and even better margaritas. Then, I figured we could go see a movie if you’re up to it.”

Claire reached over and put her hand on Tristan’s and squeezed lightly. Tristan seemed a little surprised at the contact but didn’t pull her hand away. For someone who had such a commanding presence as Tristan did, it surprised Claire that she would be a little on the timid side.

There was a nice breeze blowing when they got to the restaurant, so they opted to sit out on the patio. One margarita and a few chips later, they were both relaxed and talking freely. When dinner arrived, they both just picked at their plates, already having had their fill of chips. Another round of drinks was ordered, and both were well on their way to getting downright goofy.

Tristan looked at Claire with glassy eyes. “Umm, Claire? Were you really looking forward to seeing a movie tonight?”

”No, not really, is something wrong?”

Tristan giggled. “Well, if we are going to one, we will have to leave now, and I’m afraid that I’m a little too tipsy to drive.”

Claire laughed at her glassy-eyed companion. “I’m really enjoying myself right here. We can switch to iced tea and give our brain cells a chance to catch up. Besides, it will give me a chance to get into the mind of Tristan Delacroix.”

“Well, if you were to get into my mind right now, you would find a lot of tequila and some lime juice. There are two sober brain cells in there searching for high ground. So, what is it you want to know, Claire Murray?” Tristan batted back playfully.

“Hmm, let me think.” Claire paused for a moment. “Okay, got one. What is your biggest turnoff?”

Tristan giggled again. “Why do you ask? Are you about to belch or something?”

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The response had Claire chuckling loudly. “No, you sick woman.

Now, answer the question.”

Tristan sat staring into Claire’s eyes with a silly grin on her face.

For a split second, Claire wondered if she was just thinking or was about to pass out. “Well?”

“Arrogance is a turnoff. People think I’m arrogant, but really, I’m very shy. It’s hard for me to strike up a conversation.”

“I have a hard time seeing you as shy, Tristan.”

“Well, I am, and I’ll let you in on another little secret. I’m afraid of the dark, too.” Claire burst into uncontrollable laughter, drawing the attention of the other diners.

“Stop it!” Tristan said, laughing just as hard as Claire. “All right, it’s my turn now. What turns you on?”

Claire blushed and looked across the table at Tristan, who sat patiently waiting for her answer. “Just about everything you do.”

Tristan’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. It took her a minute to compose herself. “I can’t think of any clever comebacks.”

“Wow! I have rendered Tristan Delacroix speechless. Mark this day in history!”

Tristan laughed. “Mind if I ask you an extremely personal question?” Claire shook her head as she sipped her drink. “This is an odd question, but I’m curious. Why did your last long-term relationship end?”

Claire smirked. “Tristan Delacroix, that was a smart question.

You’re trying to pick my brain while it is pickled with tequila. The answer is simple; she cheated on me and broke my heart.”

“She was a very foolish woman,” Tristan slurred. “So tell me about this moron.”

“I once read in a magazine that if someone tells you that she is not good to be involved with, heed her warning and run in the other direction. She told me in the beginning that I probably didn’t want to get involved with her, but I was only twenty-three at the time and very naïve. Anyway, I plunged in full speed ahead.

“Those three years were some of the most hurtful times of my life, but I did learn a lot. She was never happy with herself or anything I did. Whenever I got a promotion or achieved something, she would become jealous and berate me for it, instead of being happy for me. She seemed to be competing with me on 51

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everything. It was like having a competitive roommate instead of a lover.”

“She cheated on you? After hearing all that, I wouldn’t think less of you if you were the one who stepped out on her.”

“Like I said, I was very naïve. I didn’t understand her behavior. I spent nearly three years blaming myself for all our problems. Then one day, she admitted that she was having an affair and thought I was supposed to be understanding about it. She actually had the audacity to think I should hang around in case things didn’t work out with the new girl. Needless to say, I dropped her ass like a hot rock and never looked back.

“Now, it’s your turn, Tristan,” Claire said with a grin. “Tell me about your last long-term relationship.”

Tristan cast a sideways glance as she lit a cigarette. “You’re going to be really disappointed because there is not much to tell. I have not had the pleasure of a long-term relationship. The longest lasted only a few months, and she broke it off with me.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you’re a hit-and-run lover, Tristan?” Claire tried to sound lighthearted, but she could not help but be alarmed by Tristan’s admission.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Claire,” Tristan said, seeing the tension on Claire’s face. “I have not really dated a lot of women.

My work schedule truly does put a cramp in my love life. The women I have dated did not take too kindly when I had to cancel dinner plans to get an injured man off a boat.”

Claire was relieved by her answer, desiring more than a fling with Tristan. She was weary of the dating scene and was looking for something more substantial. Fully knowing she could get hurt, Claire could not make herself slow down. So drawn to the woman sitting across from her, she was willing to take the risk of jumping in headfirst and refused to analyze why.

After a few more glasses of tea, Tristan felt clear-headed again.

They drove back to Claire’s place, and Tristan accepted her invitation to stay for a while. They sat on the sofa, each with a glass of wine, and before long, Tristan began to feel the power of the grape.

Claire watched in amusement as Tristan’s eyes became glassy, as they had been at the restaurant. Feeling the effects of the alcohol, as well, Claire felt her inhibitions slip away and wondered what it 52

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would be like to run her hands up and down the smooth thighs nestled so close to hers. The drink had not dulled her fear of making the wrong impression on their first date, and Claire wished that Tristan would give her some indication that she felt the same.

“I can’t have any more of this, Claire. Please take it away. I would take it to the kitchen myself, but I seem to have lost some motor control.”

“You are a lightweight, Tristan Delacroix!” Claire chided.

“Yes, I am and proud of it, thank you very mush ... I mean much.”

“I hope you have no pressing reasons to get home, Tristan, because you are staying here with me tonight,” Claire called over her shoulder as she took the glasses to the kitchen.

Tristan watched the sway of Claire’s hips and bit her lip trying to stave off the feelings of desire. Claire was not someone she could simply enjoy, then walk away from. She wanted more, and she knew if she gave into her feelings of want, she would end up running out on her as she had the others.

“I don’t want to impose on you. How about you let me sleep it off on the couch?” Tristan asked, hoping Claire would not think she was trying to work her way into her bed on the first date.

“It’s no imposition at all. Now, you have no excuse not to have more wine,” Claire said as she paused in the doorway and held up the glasses.

Tristan looked at Claire with a pair of bloodshot eyes. “Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?” she asked before bursting into a fit of laughter.

“Woman! You are really drunk, aren’t you? I can’t believe how easy it is to get you lit.” Claire was genuinely amused.

Tristan giggled. “I know, it’s pitiful, isn’t it? My grandmother, God rest her soul, could drink nearly an entire bottle of bourbon and be seemingly unaffected. I drink a few margaritas, and I’m a basket case.”

“Let’s go get you something to sleep in.” Claire chuckled as she pulled Tristan to a standing position and led her to the bedroom.

She made her woozy date sit down while she dug in her dresser for a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. She turned to find Tristan lying across her bed with her arm draped across her eyes.

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“Hey? You feeling okay?” Claire crawled onto the bed next to her.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but I think I’m going to be hurting in the morning. I hope I haven’t made too much of a fool of myself tonight. I have never really been able to drink that much.”

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight, Tristan. You’ve been wonderful company. To be honest, I think you’re absolutely adorable when you have a buzz.”

Before she realized what she was doing, Claire leaned down and kissed Tristan. Reveling in the softness of the lips that met hers, she could not resist slipping her tongue into the mouth that opened, giving her permission to continue. Lost in the taste of Tristan’s mouth and the silkiness of her tongue, Claire’s hands took on a life of their own. She slid her hand under the shirt that had long been untucked and enjoyed the feel of Tristan’s abdomen quivering under her touch. Both women were breathing heavily when Tristan pulled away. “Claire, I don’t want this.”

Claire stood up quickly, stunned and hurt.

“Wait!” Tristan grabbed her arm. “That’s not what I meant at all, Claire. I have only two brain cells that are sober, and right now, forming a sentence is a little tough. I think about you twenty-four hours a day. When we’re together, I have to resist the urge to touch you. I’m not sure what you want from all this, but I want a relationship. You have become very special to me already, and I don’t want to mess this up.” Tristan sighed. “I don’t want to be drunk the first time with you, either.” Then, she hiccupped.

“Sorry. Damn wine. Actually, I feel a lot better, and I think I should go home tonight.”

Claire started to protest, but the fear she saw in Tristan’s eyes was enough to silence her. “Umm, okay, I understand. I only have one request, though. I want to make you some coffee, and I would like you to wait a little while before you leave just to make sure your head is clear enough to drive.”

Tristan reluctantly agreed. She desperately wanted to run at that very moment to the safe haven of her empty house where she could sort out the feelings that had just jumped from her mouth and surprised her. Claire fell asleep on the couch next to her as Tristan sipped her second cup of coffee. She gently got up, careful 54

Robin Alexander

not to disturb the sleeping blonde. She slipped out the door into the night, eager to be as far away from Claire as she could get.

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Murky Waters