Hotter Than Ever (Out of Uniform 9)

“Yup. Starting now.” Dylan narrowed his eyes. “One.”

“Two,” Aidan warned.

Claire took off running.

Epilogue

Six months later

“What the f**k is he doing in there, buying the whole damn store?” Dylan grumbled.

Claire shared his impatience. Aidan really had been in that flower shop for a while. At least twenty minutes had passed since he’d ducked inside, after insisting they stop and buy flowers for Claire’s mother.

The three of them had flown into the Bay Area earlier that morning to spend the day with Dylan’s mom. It was Shanna’s birthday, so they’d taken her to one of the fanciest restaurants in the city for brunch, a two-hour affair that gave new meaning to the word awkward because not only had Chris been present, but he’d brought his latest girlfriend along. Stephanie Lowenstein was a thing of the past, having dumped Chris a few weeks after they’d returned from Claire’s honeymoon—which Ron McKinley had sent Chris the bill for, much to Claire’s amusement.

“Oh, and I totally forgot to ask you,” Dylan suddenly said. “What did Tanya say when you two went to the bathroom together? You came back to the table looking like you’d won the lottery.”

Claire had to grin. “She didn’t say anything important. I just remembered something I’d heard about her from one of the country-club wives. Apparently Chris’s new love has made the rounds at the club, sleeping her way through all the men she thinks will elevate her social status.” Now a laugh slipped out. “I can’t imagine her sticking with Chris for much longer, not once she realizes it’ll be years and years before he makes partner.”

“So you’re saying my brother’s in for an imminent dumping?”

“Very imminent, considering the way she was checking out every other man in that restaurant.” Claire arched a brow. “Should we warn him?”

Dylan shrugged. “Warn who?”

His lack of sympathy didn’t surprise her, but she still wished Dylan would be more open to mending this rift with his older brother. Despite the fact that he’d brought his bimbo to brunch today, Chris had actually made an effort to speak not only with Dylan, but Claire and Aidan, whom he’d completely ignored when they’d visited over the summer.

Claire knew he still didn’t approve of their relationship, but frankly, she didn’t care what Chris thought. She loved Dylan and Aidan, and had every intention of spending the rest of her life with them. Although no pregnancy had resulted from her night in Chicago with Aidan, and she was now on the pill, she definitely saw children in their future, and she wanted her kids to be surrounded by family. Whether she liked it or not, Chris was still Dylan’s family, and so she was making an effort for Dylan’s sake, and would keep doing it until his relationship with his brother returned to a place both he and Chris were comfortable with.

Aidan was in the same boat with his dad; although he’d forgiven Tim for keeping the truth about his mother from him, their relationship was still strained, but Claire was hoping that would change when Tim and Veronica visited them in San Diego next month.

“Claire?”

She froze when she heard a familiar female voice. Frowning, Claire turned around and found herself staring at none other than Barbara Valentine, her former boss.

As usual, Barb wore one of her tailored suits paired with expensive high heels, and her expression flickered with wariness as she glanced from Claire to Dylan and then back at Claire.

“Barb,” she said coolly. “It’s nice to see you.”

Not.

“Good to see you too, darling.” The older woman paused for a beat. “I heard you’re back in the consulting game.”

“Yeah, I’m starting up my own firm. It’s still getting off the ground, but I’ve already secured a few clients.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Barb’s dark eyes shifted to Dylan, visible appreciation on her face. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Boyfriend,” Claire corrected. “This is my boyfriend, Dylan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Barb practically purred out the words, and Claire couldn’t blame the woman for her blatant ogling of Dylan. He looked sexy as hell today in cargo pants and a snug green polo shirt that matched his eyes. With his blond hair slightly rumpled and his chiseled good looks, he made a seriously appealing picture.

So did Aidan, who chose that exact moment to stroll out of the shop with a bouquet of daisies in his hand. His dark eyes narrowed slightly when he spotted the willowy older woman in their midst. “What’s going on?” he asked Claire.

“Nothing, just catching up with my old boss,” she told him, fighting a smile.

“Hello,” Barb greeted him, her focus now on Aidan’s dark good looks and muscular body. “And you are?”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t introduce you.” Claire shot the other woman a saccharine smile. “This is my boyfriend, Aidan.”

Barb looked startled. Her gaze moved from Dylan to Aidan to Claire. “Oh. I see.”

Claire’s smile widened. “Anyway, it was really good to see you, Barb, but I’m afraid we have to go. My parents are expecting us for dinner.”

She fluttered her fingers in a careless little wave. As she and the boys shuffled past Barb, Claire glanced over her shoulder, choked down a laugh at the envious expression on Barb’s face, and gave her former boss a wink.