Gavin nodded slightly at Landon's words.  He had been watching closely, his eyes locked on the two of them as they had played out their game of chicken.  Landon had won, yes, but only barely.  Gavin knew it could have just as easily gone the other way.  He didn't say a word as he moved toward the utility room.  Instead, he merely clapped Landon on the shoulder, telling him that he had well, without a word.<br/><br/>Inside the utility room, Gavin quickly slipped into a waiting bathing suit.  He and Claire had their commonly used suits here.  He quickly glanced over them and realized that her one pieces were here.  At least, he thought all of them were.  For a moment, he hoped that she would just use one of the two pieces that had been put away.<br/><br/>He pulled back on the button down shirt he had been wearing and grabbed a couple of towels.  He slung those on his shoulder and moved out the back door.  He didn't let the door slam shut as he passed through, keeping it quiet for Claire.<br/><br/>He stood on the concrete path leading from the back of the house down to the beach.  He looked up at the darkening sky and calculated a few things.  It wasn't a full moon, that had just passed actually.  The night sky also had a few clouds.  Well, that might help with Claire's reluctance to be seen publicly.<br/><br/>However, all of this was still up in the air.  Maybe it would work.  He just had to keep hoping and keep Claire in the moment, instead of retreating into her own mind.