#a move

An Invisible Thread Chapter 10 A Move

He watches her talk and laugh with Geillis and the other lasses. So far, she isn’t paying the other lads any mind. Friendly but distant. A good thing but.. His brother is right. He needs to do something that shows the lads and Claire, especially Claire, that they are a bit more then mates.

A kiss was terrifying.  Thrilling but more frightening then anything. No way he is ready for that. No, way to soon to kiss. That leaves something else. But what?

He thought about giving her a gift. But he can’t think of anything that expresses the feelings he feels for her. A deep friendship but more. So much more. It scares him when he thinks to much about it.

Watching her laugh and wave her hands about as she tells a story to her mate’s, he suddenly knows exactly what to do. He remembers how natural it felt to place his hand over hers. How they fit together so well. Now to find the courage to ask her. For ask her he must. He was raised to be a gentleman with exquisite manners.

“Hi Jamie.” They sit at lunch together. Alone, to his relief. There is no way he can ask her with the others about.

“Hi Claire. What were you telling the lasses? Seemed to be a fun story.”

“Oh, about the differences between here and America. How my mum had trouble learning to drive on the other side of the road, the weird names they have for things, stuff like that.” He smiles at her. “ You were watching me?”

His neck and ears turn red. “Well, aye. My eyes are always drawn to you. Like a magnet. I guess it is because I missed you the years you were away.”

“I missed you too. You know, we have been apart almost half our lives?”

“Wow, that is right.” He nervously taps his hand against his thigh, a habit he hasn’t outgrown. She watches him as she eats. He occasionally picks at his food but he really isn’t eating it. “

“You aren’t hungry?”

“I need to ask you something?”

“Okay.”

“Oh boy. Wow, I am… how do I… “

“Jamie, it is me. You can ask me anything.”

“Aye. It is just.. Okay.” He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders. “I would like.. that is.. may I” her patient brown eyes stay on him but he can’t meet hers, looking at her chin instead. “hold your hand?”

It means more then just linking hands and they both now it. At their age, it is a sign of a relationship a step above friends. If they were older, they would be announcing they were dating. Even knowing this, she doesn’t hesitate. It is Fire Jamie asking. The lad that has been her best mate all her life. The lad that is slowly becoming more. She smiles.