Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
RUBY
One of the things I missed the most when I was away from Lovers was Sunday breakfast with the family. Some families are fine with a peaceful, quiet breakfast, but I missed the chaos of these moments.
When Max and I used to visit, Luca and Miles made these mornings my son’s favorite.
Then Hudson moved home, and even though I know he struggled with Sundays in the beginning, I was still jealous of what I was missing.
Of what Max was missing. But this right here, watching my brothers play with Max, this is everything.
“We’re here!” the sweetest voice rings out at my front door.
I smile as she runs past me to the yard, and I roll my eyes at the man walking in behind her.
Even if he was on my mind all of last night after the run-in with his landlord.
His stress level must be at an all-time high. Oddly enough, I did a quick online search for houses for rent in town, but it was slim.
“No backyard gate today?” I force a smile as he steps into the kitchen.
“Good morning to you, too, Ruby.”
“Everyone is outside.”
He looks at his watch. “Dismissed in less than ten seconds. A new record.”
I look over my shoulder slowly, replying with only a look that says go away.
“I’m going to miss these tender moments,” his hand goes to his heart as he chuckles and walks out the door.
Miss them?
Oh, right, because he has to move to another part of town.
Bummer.
Shay passes him as she walks into the house, and I let out a breath.
“His face looks better today. I thought he’d have two black eyes this morning.”
I laugh.
“I didn’t hit him that hard. Just clearly in the right spot to make it look worse than it was.”
Shay shakes her head. The moment the ball hit him, something inside me … changed. I had this urge to rush over and help him, and guilt hit me so hard I wanted to cry. That’s not a feeling I’m used to when it comes to Declan, but I am human.
“So, do you think we can meet up this week sometime to go over the designs you have for The Marina?”
“Yes,” I say with a giant smile, grateful for the change of subject. “I went a little overboard and stayed up late last night with a new idea.”
I’ve always loved drawing and creating, really everything related to graphic design, and while romance book covers and social media graphics are my main source of income, having my friends or family ask me to make something for them has been a whole different kind of high.
Plus, the extra income has been nice.
Our friend Grace, whose family owns Lovers Lodge, asked me to make some for the lodge, too, and I’ve had so much fun letting my creativity run wild with new designs.
“Ruby, I only needed one new logo.”
You know how some people can be looking at their phones and suddenly an hour or two has gone by while they just scroll through social media? That’s how I am with design. I easily get swept away when I’m doing it.
“Fine. I won’t show you the others.”
She shoves my shoulder.
“You’re showing me all of them,” she says and then slouches against the counter. “I wish I were as gifted as you.”
“Um, you own an entire marina. One that has taken a complete one-eighty from this time last year.”
“I know.”
My heart aches at how down she sounds.
I’d been gathering some plates and utensils to take outside, but I stop to give her my full attention.
“Hey, is everything okay?” I stand taller. “Are things with Luca okay?”
A goofy smile tugs at her lips.
“He’s perfect, but don’t tell him I said that. He already thinks he’s this god because he … never mind.”
I laugh. “Yeah, spare me the details, please.”
I nudge her with my shoulder, and then, utensils in hand, we head out to the patio, where everyone else is seated.
Will I ever forgive myself for leaving them?
I know what I did was right at the time, but it doesn't make it any easier to know what I missed.
At some point, I need to move on.
I’m a different person now.
“I’m so hungry,” Sadie says and digs in the moment all the food is out. Hudson is right there with her, passing the fruit bowl, and then like dominoes, everyone dishes up.
“Susie, Max, come get some food, please,” Declan says. Both kids grab a banana and then run off to play again.
“It’s better than nothing,” I say, making my own plate.
“I agree. So, I don’t really know if this calls for an announcement or anything,” Declan begins, and everyone stops eating to focus on him.
“But with the news that the house Susie and I are living in is being sold, we are moving back to my apartment in Chicago for the remainder of the summer until our house is ready.”
Silence falls over the table, and I'm instantly flooded with happiness and dread.
Happiness that he will be far away from me and I won’t have to listen to the town talk about him.
But dread for Max. He's so happy, and Susie plays a big role in that happiness.
Now she’ll be leaving.
“I know Susie and I aren’t actually part of the Asher family, and this is probably weird because everyone here is—”
“We consider you family, Declan,” my father interrupts. “And this is unfortunate news. Luca, can you not move up the timeline for his house?”
“I looked into it last night when Dec called me. Between shipping dates on supplies, the schedule we have with plumbers and electricians, and my other jobs, I just can’t see a way to do it that won’t put my guys into a ton of overtime. It’s summer. And it's hot. I can’t do that to them.”
“And I would never ask you to do anything that means people rearranging their entire schedule to accommodate me,” Declan chimes in.
My eyes bounce around like pinballs as my brothers and Declan go over all the options.
I don’t know what to say. I just thought he’d be in another area of town and that was enough breathing space for me.
But Chicago is a long way away. I doubt he’d plan trips back here just for the kids to play together before school starts.
"Any other rentals?” Miles asks.
“It would still be another thirty days before we could move in. Nothing is available sooner than that.”
“Ruby has an entire unused basement,” Luca adds quickly. “There are two rooms down there and a living room. It’s—”
“Not your house to offer,” I rush out before this choice is made for me.
Declan holds up his hands. “Like I said, I don’t want to do anything that puts anyone out.”
“And it would.” My reply is laced with so much distaste, the entire table goes quiet.
“Ruby Ann Asher,” my dad scolds. “What is wrong with you?”
Instead of answering, I stand quickly and head into the house.
I expect my dad or brothers to follow me but am pleasantly surprised when it’s Shay, Quinn, and Sadie.
They all look at me with sad eyes.
“I didn’t mean to sound so rude. I just, I barely know him and Luca just offers him my space.”
“Barely know him? Ruby, you’ve talked to that man almost every single day for a year.”
“Not by choice, and we mostly bicker.”
“Bickering can be fun.” Shay smiles.
“Not with Declan.”
The girls all share a look.
“What’s really going on?” Sadie asks.
“I … I don’t know. I have my own space here, and until last year, I’d never had something that was just mine. I don’t—”
“Don’t want to give it up," Shay adds with an understanding nod.
“I get it, too,” Quinn says. “And I’m not saying this because I think you should change your mind, but this is your house. Before, in Boston, it wasn’t. Your house means your rules. Maybe set some and then charge him rent. Make it worth it for you.”
“She has a point,” Sadie agrees.
Me and Declan? Living in the same house? I can’t even stand him when he’s next door.
Not to mention what the town would say. They would probably find some way to turn this around so that he’s making the sacrifice and not me. At the same time, if word gets out that my house was an option and I didn’t offer it, they’d think I was unkind and the reason he moved away again.
I know it shouldn’t matter what the town thinks of me, but damn it. I’m a good person, and I did the best with what I could when I was a seventeen-year-old girl.
And I could use that rent money right now.
A high-pitched squeal captures all our attention as Susie and Max jump on the trampoline, playing crack the egg.
I blow out a breath.
But sometimes in life, what I want isn't the only thing that matters.