Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dash
A text pings from my phone. I wipe the sweat from my brow, breathing hard as I hop off the treadmill in the hotel’s weight room. I throw a towel across my shoulders and pick up the phone that’s peeking out of my bag.
Tinsel: You didn’t tell me I was going shopping today…
A smile born of sheer glee spreads across my face.
Me: Was I supposed to? Thought surprising you might be the better course of action…
Tinsel: And who, pray tell, is paying for this fancy dress I’ll be purchasing today?
Me: If you have to ask, I haven’t been doing a good job.
Tinsel: A good job at what?
Me: Being your boyfriend. I know I’m rusty at this, but I didn’t realize you second-guessed me this much.
Dots appear to tell me she’s typing, then disappear. Over and over. I’m still smiling when her next text comes through.
Tinsel: You’re doing a stellar job, boyfriend.
Tinsel: I get to call you that now, right, boyfriend? I don’t do takebacks.
I laugh out loud as I quickly type out another reply.
Me: Call me whatever you want, Tinsel. I’m yours, and that’s all that matters.
All she sends back are heart eyes, but that’s enough for me. I’m shocked she even had time to send a text, knowing she’s with my mom and sisters. I just wanted to treat Ruby to a day of being spoiled. I figured if anyone could give her that, it was my thoughtful Mother.
My phone pings again before I’m even out of the weight room door. This time, Ye Olde Sibling Group Chat lights up.
Danessa: We’re going to stop by a burger joint for lunch later. Want to join us?
Me: Where?
She sends me a pin with the location.
Me: Give me a time, and I’ll be there.
Danessa: Can we keep you posted? Not sure how long shopping will take.
Me: Sounds good, let me know.
Danessa: Will do!
Me: Hey, Danessa? Thanks.
I only get a thumbs up in reply, as is her way. Hopefully she knows how I’m thankful for her taking the time to organize this. She’s a good big sister, even if she is a little overbearing.
I head up to my suite, so I can shower. I want to be ready for when she sends me that text.
***
I head into the restaurant with a pep in my step. I’m excited to hear from Ruby how the day went. After those initial texts this morning, I haven’t heard from her. I’m hopeful that’s a good sign and not a bad one.
I round the corner and see a table filled full of laughing women. All brunette. All beautiful.
Spotting Ruby is easy. She has the lightest hair, the shade mimicking milk chocolate with multi-colored shimmery strands running through it. As if sensing I’ve entered the space, our gazes lock. A slight smile lifts her lips, spiking my heart rate.
“Dash!” Mom chimes. “You made it.”
“Afternoon, ladies.”
“It’s the man of the hour.” Davina claps her hands once.
“Can we please place our orders now?” Danica gripes. “I’m starving.”
“Sorry. Traffic.” As soon as I take the open seat next to Ruby, the smell of her shampoo greets me. I take a deep inhale and gently brush my knuckle against the top of her thigh. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” She smiles, and maybe it’s my imagination, but she seems to sway toward me. I want nothing more than to tuck her into my side and pretend we’re the only two here.
“How was shopping?” I ask, addressing the table.
“Good!” Davina chirps. “Ruby found a dress.”
“Awesome. I’d hoped you would.” I grab one of Ruby’s fidgeting hands under the table and pull it into my lap. Danae’s eyes track the movement from where she sits across the table, but she pretends not to notice it. I love her for it.
“This is a pretty one, too.” I try to keep my tone low enough for only Ruby to hear. I dip my chin toward her. “I like the yellow.”
“It compliments her skin tone,” Danica says matter-of-factly.
So much for no one else overhearing.
“As does the dress we found for her,” she adds.
Danessa starts in with a play-by-play of their day, but I’m only half-listening while I silently check in with Ruby.
I let my thumb coast along her skin. Take my other hand and notch my forefinger in between each of her knuckles.
That shiver I’ve come to expect courses through her.
I lick my lips to keep my smile in check.
“The first store was a bust, but finally by the third, we found one she likes.”
I hopefully cling to that phrase, catching Ruby’s attention. “Did you find one you liked?”
It probably sounds dumb, me asking it like that. But I want to make sure she found a dress she loves, not one my sisters chose for her.
She bites her lip. “I did.”
“Can’t wait to see it on you.”
She purses her lips to the side. “I assume you’re also dressing up for this event?”
“I am.”
“Are we supposed to match?”
I hadn’t thought of that. “We can.”
“Good,” she says, releasing a little breath. “Because we got you a matching tux.”
I raise an eyebrow, shooting a look at Danessa. “Did you now?”
“Better than having to rent one, right?” My sister shrugs, feigning innocence.
“I suppose. Though that wasn’t on the agenda for today.”
“I’m sorry,” Ruby murmurs. “It was my idea.”
I turn to her. “Really?”
She nods.
“Then I’m happy to get to match you,” I say, truthfully. “I’m just protective of you and don’t want you pressured into doing anything.” Again, I try and keep my voice low, but of course Danessa hears it.
“I’m sad you think we would do that, Dash.” As if to prove she wouldn’t, she adds, “Ruby’s been so fun to hang out with today. She has great taste.”
“Agreed,” Danica says. “Love her style.”
“So…we are going to order, right?” Davina taps her nails on the tabletop.
“We’d better.” Mom passes a menu to me, and I have to let Ruby’s hand go to grab it. To my surprise, she keeps it strategically placed on my thigh. I love the secret point of connection and have to work to keep my breathing in check.
This woman has my thoughts running away from me.
Everyone at the table falls into easy conversation, with Ruby mostly nodding along or adding a sentence or two into the mix. I appreciate her genuine effort to stay engaged. Every so often, she’ll move her fingers or tap the inside of my thigh, sending my nerve-endings into a frenzy.
I can’t wait to get her alone.
“So, Dash,” Danae says, eyeing me over the rim of her glasses. “What are your intentions with our Ruby?”
I nearly spit the water back into my glass, laughing. “Excuse me? Your Ruby?”
“I hate to break it to you like this, Dash, but…” Davina sends me an apologetic look. “If something between the two of you goes sideways, we’re keeping her in the breakup.”
Ruby’s jaw is slack, eyes wide. I can’t help but shake my head at her.
“Wow, so this is how it’s going to be, huh?”
“I had no idea your sisters felt this way,” she teases before turning toward the group. “But okay. I accept.”
Cheers go around the table. Even Mom’s clapping her hands. I casually drape my arm around the back of Ruby’s chair and lean in to whisper in her ear. “Who are you and what have you done to bewitch my family so thoroughly?”
She giggles, angling toward me to murmur, “I wish I knew.”
The rest of lunch goes smoothly, with her opening up a bit more. Like a man possessed, I keep finding little ways to touch her throughout the meal. By the time we’re heading out of the restaurant, the need to kiss her is overwhelming.
We are the last to make it to the exit, and before she walks through the door, I pull her back against me. “Do you have some time?”
She gives me a quick nod.
“I saw a small park just down the street. Care to take a walk?”
Her breath catches. “What do I tell your sisters?”
“I’ll take care of them.”
I release her and follow her out the door.
The bright sunshine beats down on us as we gather on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. “Ruby and I are going to spend a few minutes alone before I have to head to the rink,” I say to my family. “I’ll meet up with you all later?”
Mom rushes forward, arms outstretched. Not toward me, but toward Ruby. “It was so wonderful to spend the day with you, honey.” She wraps Ruby in a tight embrace, then pulls back, still grasping her arms. “Will you and Beck sit with us tonight?”
“Oh, um…”
“We’d be so honored,” she adds with a pleading smile.
“All right.” Ruby gives Mom a small nod. “We’d be happy to.”
“Wonderful. We’ll see you then.”
The rest of my sisters offer Ruby quick hugs until we’re finally left alone.
“Wow,” Ruby breathes, staring after them. “I like your family almost as much as I like you.”
I bark a surprised laugh. “I’m relieved you didn’t say more than me at least.”
Swiveling toward me, she smiles. “So, how about that walk?”
Reaching for her hand, I ask, “Where are you parked?”
“In the same lot as your family.” She points toward where they trotted off to. “That way.”
“The park is this way.” I jerk my chin in the opposite direction. “It’s not far, though. Do you have everything you need from your shopping trip?”
“More than I need.” She looks up at me, her big, beautiful eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “I wish you wouldn’t have done all this. It feels like too much.”
“It’s not.”
“Dash.” She tugs on my hand. “You spoiled me rotten today. For no good reason.”
“I have a very good reason.” I step forward, crowding her space. But she doesn’t back down. Our chests brush, breaths mingling. “You needed a dress for the gala.”
“You mean the gala you haven’t yet invited me to?”
“It was coming.”
“When?”
“Now.”
Her eyes crinkle at the corners as they search my face. “You bought me the dress first so…what? I couldn’t say no?”
“Something like that.”
“Dash,” she giggles again, pushing against my stomach. My muscles clench in response.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you to go with me before buying you the dress,” I amend. “But I didn’t want anything holding you back from accompanying me.”
She blinks up at me. “I appreciate the gesture. And I do love the dress. I just feel bad that I lugged your poor family around all day in search of the right one.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“What?” Her brows knit together.