Chapter Nineteen
Ruby
“Are you sure this is okay?”
Guilt pricks my conscience, forcing me to ask the question. Normally, on my scheduled days off, I still come in to get caught up on bookkeeping. Taxes don’t file themselves, unfortunately. But today, I’m playing hooky.
At least, it feels that way.
“Ruby, you’re fretting for nothing,” Alayna insists. “Wanda will be here at one, and I have everything covered until then. Promise.”
“I know, it’s just that—”
“It’s just nothing.” Al pops her hip. “I’m starting to think you’re doubting my capabilities. Besides, this was the whole reason you hired Wanda, wasn’t it? So you could enjoy a day off?”
I sigh, knowing she’s right.
“Listen, Ruby. You’ve been coming in here on your days off for weeks now. You’ve finally got a good reason to take a day for yourself as a reward for all the hard work you’ve put in. I’d be a terrible friend and employee if I didn’t insist that you get your pretty little butt out of here.”
I look around the salon. Everything is in its place, the polished floors are gleaming, and only one client is seated in the waiting area. She’s right. This place runs just fine without my constant supervision.
“You’ll call me if you suddenly get bombarded with walk-ins?”
Alayna smirks. “If that happens, which it probably won’t, sure. I’ll call.”
“And if there’s a double booking we’ve overlooked?” I pause. “You’ll call?”
She shakes her head. “Miss Ruby. When have we ever double-booked someone?”
Never. But there’s a first time for everything, isn’t there? I don’t give a voice to my thoughts, though. Alayna would just shut me down.
“All right,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “I’ll get out of your hair, then.”
Al steps forward, resting her palms on my upper arms. “Ruby, today is going to be great. You have nothing to be nervous about.”
A lump forms in my throat. “I-I know that.”
“Do you?” Her features soften. “You’re allowed to have fun, you know. And you’re allowed to have a good time with Dash, without worrying about what happens next. Just enjoy yourself.”
My shoulders relax as I let her words settle in. Of course she’s right. I need to let myself lean into this; focus on simply having fun.
“Thanks, Al.” I wrap my arms around her for a quick hug.
“You’re welcome. And besides,” she murmurs next to my ear. “How often do you get to go on a date with a celebrity?”
I scoff as I back away. “He’s not a celebrity.” Though my stomach flutters just thinking about it.
“Sure, he’s not. You better text me when you get back home tonight. I want to hear every juicy detail.”
With a shake of my head, I turn and push open the door. “See ya, Al! Don’t wait up!”
***
”If you keep pacing, you’re going to wear a path through the carpet,” Mom says with a small burst of laughter.
I glance at the clock on the wall, checking the time, yet again. “I know, Mom, I’m sorry. I’m just—”
“Nervous. I know, honey.”
I’ve never paced like this before, nor have I ever been this anxious for a date. It’s probably because it’s been so long since I’ve been on a proper date, I can’t even remember the last guy’s name.
Larry? Lars, maybe? Guess it doesn’t matter now…
“It’s okay to feel a bit out of sorts, Ruby.” Mom gives me one of her kind smiles. “It’s been quite some time since you’ve gone out. And not just on a date; with friends, even.”
That’s true. I’ve been so focused on taking care of the salon and my family, that I haven’t taken much—if any—time out for fun. Which Alayna already helpfully pointed out to me today.
Maybe that’s why being with Dash makes me feel alive again…because I’ve been cooped up at home or at work for nearly a year, and now that he’s drawn me out, I’m opening myself up to new experiences.
I’ve even started to like hockey!
“Just try to relax and enjoy yourself,” Mom says. “And call me if something goes wrong. I’ll have Mr. Groves come and get you, if need be.”
I must really look out of sorts if she’s already offering to rescue me.
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.” Just as the words leave my lips, the doorbell rings. Every ounce of my anxiety comes flooding back. “Do I look okay? My hair?”
Beck steps into the room and makes a face. “Did you even brush it?”
“You look gorgeous, Ruby.” Mom wheels herself toward the door, as excited as I’ve ever seen her, to meet my date.
I had plenty of reservations about Dash meeting Mom, about him seeing where we lived. There’s nothing grand about our small, one-story home in the suburbs. Nothing even remotely unique or memorable about our neighborhood.
And isn’t that how I feel about myself compared to Dash? I’m just an average girl, with an average job, from an average American family. He’s…more, somehow.
“Ruby?” Mom stops at the door, eyeing my wringing hands with concern. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a bit of nerves. That’s all.” Do not hyperventilate again.
Beck edges past us toward the door and whips it open. “Hey, Dash. Come on in.”
A moment later, Dash fills the doorway, taller and somehow more imposing than he’s ever looked. His attention lands on me first.
“Hi, Ruby.”
“Hi.” My throat constricts. And it’s not due to nerves—it’s because of the way he looks at me, like he’s waited all day just to see my face.
Like driving forty-five minutes one way to get me, just to take me back to the city and spend time with me, is the single most important thing he has to do all week.
A throat clears. I blink away whatever trance Dash has me locked in.
“Um, Mom, this is Dash. Dash, my mom.”
“Hi, I’m Patty,” Mom says, extending a hand toward him. “I’ve heard so much about you, Dash.”
He readily accepts her handshake, oozing masculine charm. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too. It’s so nice to meet the woman who raised Ruby and Beck.”
Mom giggles. Giggles. “That’s me. Though I can’t take all the credit for how they turned out. Their dad was pivotal on that front. For Ruby, at least.”
“So I’ve heard.” Dash aims a smile at me, lighting me up from the inside out.
“Ya know, you guys don’t have to leave,” Beck whines. “You could just stay here and hang out until the game.” Beck tosses up his hands like it’s obviously the more fun option.
“Beck, they want to be alone for once,” Moms says. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
My brother frowns. “Can I at least show Dash my gaming set up?”
“I’d love that.” Dash turns to me. “If it’s okay with you. I don’t want to keep you waiting.”
“Of course. Go ahead.” His concern for my feelings, and the genuine interest he shows my little brother, is so like him. Kind and considerate. Sweeter than any man with his combo of talent and good looks has the right to be.
Beck leads Dash toward his room, giving me an extra second to fix my hair in the mirror above the entryway table.
“Now I know why you were so nervous,” Mom whispers. “That’s one good-looking young man, right there.”
“Mom,” I hiss. “You can’t say that when he’s in our house. He could hear you!”
She holds up her hands like she’s innocent. “I’m just saying, I can see the appeal.”
“Don’t let Mr. Groves hear you talk like that. You’ll break his poor heart.”
“Oh, hush.” Mom swipes a hand through the air. “He knows I think he’s handsome too.”
My eyebrows fly upward. “Oh, does he?”
A cherry red blush fills Mom’s cheeks before she wheels away from me. “I mean, he might. Not that I’ve come right and said so, but…” She sighs. “Anyway, we’re talking about your date, not mine.”
“Mom!” I bark a laugh. “Are you officially dating Mr. Groves?”
“No. No, I’m not. We’re just…friends.”
“Uh huh. Sure, you are.”
Beck and Dash amble back into the living room, chatting about the upcoming game release Beck is still obsessing over. When my date spots me, still rooted to the same spot he last saw me in, he asks, “Ready?”
I nod, then hurry to give Mom a kiss goodbye. “I’ll be home in time to pick Beck up for the game later.”
“You’d better not forget me!” My brother plops backward onto the couch, sulking like he should be the one going on this date.
“Don’t worry, man. I’ll see you from the ice tonight.” Dash gives him a fist bump before walking toward me and Mom. “I’m so happy I was able to meet you, Patty. I’ll take good care of Ruby today.”
As if to tell me the same thing, he catches my gaze. My earlier nerves fizzle out, doused by the sweet reassurance rolling off him.
“I have no doubt,” Mom says. “You two have fun and be safe.”
“We will.” Dash gently cups my elbow, steering me toward the door. The bright sunshine greets us, warming me through as soon as we step outside. We head straight to where Dash’s rental car is parked along the street.
“I think Beck’s a little jealous that I get to spend extra time with you today,” I say with a laugh. “I almost thought you might try and bring him along because you felt bad for him.”
Dash tugs on my elbow, bringing me to a stop. I quickly turn, and our faces end up closer than they’ve ever been before. Dash leans in, erasing what little space lies between us.
“Not today, Tinsel. Today, I’m selfish.” He inhales deeply, before releasing it slowly, washing me in peppermint.
“I’ve finally got you all to myself, and I don’t want to share you with anyone else.
Not even your little brother, who I’ve grown quite fond of in the last week.
” His slow sultry smile melts my brain, leaving any attempt at forming words in the dust.
I simply nod and bolt to the car, relishing in the new, fluttery anticipation filling my belly. Dash is either mind-blowingly perfect, or I must have some neon sign flashing above my head that reads, duty-driven eldest daughter, looking for a good time with a charming, but possessive man.
Because he is ticking boxes I didn’t even know I had.
And I am so here for it.