chapter 1- happy anniversary babe part 4

It didn’t take long for the waiter to return and the anniversary dinner to truly commence. Conversation came naturally to the young couple and they were never short of topics to discuss. Time flew by as they ordered drinks and chatted away until their food arrived. Claire was on her third glass of red wine when the waiter placed her giant plate of pasta in front of her and her mellow green eyes lit up like firecrackers. They were well into their food when Paul brought up a topic that sparked a rather surprising revelation.

“So, did your professor post final grades?” Paul inquired, as Claire finished tamely twirling another modest bite of pasta around her fork. Paul always was enamored with the elegant way Claire devoured food.

“Yess.” Claire tipsily admitted a bit reluctantly, as she brought her napkin to her lips and dabbed a bit of pasta sauce away.

“Didn’t go well?” Paul surmised, as Claire stuck her forkful of pasta into her mouth and chewed very carefully and methodically. She didn’t open her mouth until a moment after she swallowed every last bit of delicious pasta.

“No. I didn’t have enough time to study.” Claire pouted, as she grabbed her glass of wine and took a rather hardy sip.

“I told you taking summer classes on top of your internship would be too much on your plate.” Paul gently chastised his girlfriend, as she seemed slightly upset. He knew the only reason she even agreed to the internship was to save up enough money to live with him as soon as possible.

“But I..” Claire mumbled, as she broke eye contact.

“I don’t need help making rent.” Paul countered, as Claire looked up at him more firmly.

“Yes you do. I know things have been tight since Chris moved out. I wanna make things easier for you.” Claire pouted, as she momentarily put her fork down, “The more I can help you, the more free time you’ll have to spend with me.”

“And I want you to know how much I appreciate you and everything you do for me, but I don’t want my shit getting in the way of your education.” Paul revealed, as he let out a sigh, “It’s not fair to you.”

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this actually. I think I have a solution to your roommate problem. Well, a temporary solution.” Claire revealed, as a subtle smile emerged from her lips. She could tell from Paul’s face that he was all ears, so she continued, “You need a roommate to help with rent. And I won’t have enough money saved up to move in and pay my fair share for a while yet..”

Paul couldn’t believe she was doing a little dramatic pause to go with this whole thing, he couldn’t help but hurry her by saying, “Yeah? So, what’s the solution?”

“I think I found you a temporary long-term roommate!” Claire excitedly burst, as she tried to reel in her enthusiasm, “I mean, if it’s okay with you.”

“I don’t wanna live with any college students. The last one turned out to be a drug dealer, remember?” Paul dismissed Claire’s idea, but she wasn’t going to let him off this easy. She had to make him understand.

“She’s not a college student. My older sister and I were talking recently.. She needs a place to stay. Short notice. And she’s willing to pay her fair share!” Claire revealed, as Paul’s eyes widened with disbelief.

“Your sister?” Paul scratched his head, as he tried to remember the name of the sister Claire actually got along with, “Ohh, Laura?”

“No. Emma.” Claire corrected him, as she awaited Paul’s response.

“Emma!? I thought you said she was..” Paul began to recall all the things Claire had mentioned to him about her oldest sister in the year they’d been together.

“I know what I’ve said about her, but she’s not that bad.” Claire explained, as she tried to backpedal some of the previous complaint’s she’d leveed toward her older sister, “Plus, she just found out her fiancé has been cheating on her. Soo.. They broke up and she needs a place to stay right now just as much as you need a roommate.”

“Won’t that be weird? I mean, she’s your oldest sister.” Paul reminded his youthful girlfriend.

“I talked to her already and I’m okay with it.” Claire revealed, as her voice somehow took an even more warmhearted tone, “You’d be doing her a huge favor.”

“Well, alright.” Paul decided, “Anything for your family.”

“You are so sweet!” Claire burst, as she looked at Paul lovingly.

“It’s nothing.” Paul shrugged, while Claire couldn’t believe what a nice guy she’d landed.

“No, you are always just the best.” Claire enthused, as she leaned closer to him and tipsily whispered, “If there is anything you want me to do tonight, and I mean, anything. Just say the word and I’ll do it.”

“All I want is for you to enjoy yourself.” Paul smiled, as he decided to add, “So, you better clean your plate.”

“Haha, I know the food here costs a fortune. I promise I won’t let any go to waste.” Claire sexily vowed, as she quickly picked up her fork and began artfully twirling some pasta into a classy forkful.