Chapter Thirty
Ruby
I wasn’t sure what to expect when Dash first invited me to the gala. Black ties and formal dresses, sure, but a red carpet where we’d be posing for photographers? Absolutely unreal.
A fresh bout of nerves has me tugging at the cinched waist on my teal, mermaid-style gown as Dash helps me out of the limo.
“You look perfect, Tinsel,” he murmurs against my ear. “There’s no need to fidget.” As if to keep my hands occupied, Dash grabs my clasped fingers and tugs them behind my back, leaning in to lightly kiss my cheek. “I promise, you’re stunning.”
I release a huff of what’s meant to be laughter but sounds more like a relieved sigh.
He starts forward, and I walk beside him, doing my best not to fidget.
We stop periodically, posing for pictures that I have no doubt will reach even further than the one of us in the stands during the women’s game.
Dash doesn’t seem to mind one bit, leaning into me and smiling. Touching me. Keeping his hands firmly planted on my waist. I smile too, happy in this moment.
It’s a little weird to think I’ve never seen a photo of him and his ex together and can’t even picture what she looks like. Yet he’s going to let my face be plastered next to his all over the media?
It makes me wonder if maybe he wasn’t the one who minded the media attention. Could that have contributed to their breakup?
A reporter snags Dash’s attention and asks him a question about the final goal in the game. He replies, showing off his glowing personality. I soak it all in, loving that I get to be a part of such a big night in his life.
When we finally enter the ballroom, a gasp falls from my lips.
I knew it would be beautiful, but the extravagant elegance before me is even more than I could’ve imagined.
Glittering crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, while bold red, white, and blue flower arrangements stand proud at each table.
Couples file into the room, all marveling at the ornately decorated interior, same as us.
“There’s supposed to be close to four hundred people here tonight,” Dash says, turning toward me.
“Wow, really?”
He dips his chin. “Hard to believe, isn’t it? All four teams will be present, all the coaches, and pretty much everyone involved in the organization.”
“I can’t believe I’m here right now.” My attention flits around the room while Dash’s remains fixed on me.
“Neither can I,” he murmurs before tugging me close. “Thirsty?”
I nod, feeling a fiery blush creep into my cheeks. But I can’t tamp it down. Not when Dash looks at me like I’m tonight’s main attraction.
“Let’s hit the bar for something to drink.” Dash orders me an iced tea, and orders the same for himself, before we try a couple of the hors d’oeuvres. They’re delicious, of course. As I expect everything to be tonight.
My date certainly is.
I mentally flick the thought away, needing to focus on looking regal and elegant. I can’t be fantasizing about how mouthwateringly good Dash looks in his black tux with the matching dark teal accents while trying to mingle with his friends.
He must catch me looking at him like he’s a snack, because he asks, “Still like the tux?”
“I love it.” I smooth one hand over his lapel. “Do you like it?”
He rolls the shoulder that pains him a little, adjusting the front of his jacket. “It’s a little stiff, as are most tuxedos, but the fact that it matches your dress makes it perfect.”
He takes his time letting his gaze roll over me, and I don’t even attempt to shy away. If this is going to be our last big night together, let him look. Let every last detail of this dress that hugs my curves haunt his memory from now until the day he comes back to me.
I give myself a mental slap. Where did that thought come from?
“What’s going through your mind, Tinsel?”
I blink. Lick my lips. “Nothing important.” I force a smile.
“You sure?” He raises one dark eyebrow.
“Mm.” I hook my arm through his, allowing him to lead me around the room.
Dash makes so many introductions, I’m positive I’ll never keep everyone straight.
A few of the players from his team stand out—Tyson Lane, Jake Twiles, Bryce “Cha Cha” Chambers, Jeremiah Precio, Josh Henson, and Stone Reilly.
All names I’ve heard the announcer say on occasion.
And their dates are lovely, each with awestruck smiles that mirror my own.
We walk by the silent auction table, checking out the luxury items available to bid on. Once we’ve perused the items thoroughly, music begins filtering through the ballroom’s speakers.
Dash turns to me. “Would you care to dance?”
“Sure,” I reply, wondering if I even know how. The only time I’ve danced was at my high school prom and the few times I’ve tagged along with Alayna on a night out. But this song is slow and romantic, nothing like the ones they play at the local clubs.
Dash pulls me close, pressing his hand into my lower back. Our eyes lock, and memories of our heated make out session tease at the edge of my mind.
“Now what are you thinking about?”
I bite my lip, fighting back a girlish giggle. “I’m thinking that you in that tux, holding me like this, is a dangerous combination.”
Dash twines my hands around his neck before his glide down my body, coming to rest on my hips. His lips part in a bright smile, that one lone dimple winking at me through his beard. “Why’s that?”
“Because,” I say with a faux pout. “It makes me think of the way you kissed me against that tree, and we can’t relive that memory right now. Not in front of all these people.”
He makes a sound between a groan and a growl. “That was a good memory.” He leans down, letting his breath skate across my skin. I suppress a shiver. “But just because we can’t relive it right now doesn’t mean we can’t later.”
“Dash.”
“Don’t tease me like that, Tinsel,” he murmurs huskily. “Not unless you plan to do something about it.”
I don’t have the courage to look him full in the face after that. Instead, I keep my attention fixed behind him, letting my hands toy with the hair at his nape. His cheek brushes against my forehead, his soft beard tickling me in the best way.
Closing my eyes, I take in everything about this moment. Dash’s firm body holding mine, the music giving us the perfect opportunity to sway in each other’s arms. His scent. His heated touch. The elegant ambiance I’ll only ever get to experience with Dash.
A tear slides down my cheek against my will. I squeeze my eyes shut, unwilling to let another one slip through. Dash must feel the moisture, though, because he pulls back abruptly.
“Ruby?”
“I’m fine.” A shaky laugh rushes out. “Seriously, I am. Just…grateful. For all this. For you.” I look down at his chest, unable to hold his gaze. “I thought about it a lot the other night. During the game.”
Dash skims his hands along my spine, giving me space to put my thoughts into words.
“And I’ve decided that even if this is all we ever get, I’m content with that. Because.” A sniffle. “Because you taught me how to have fun again. You let me feel pretty and pursued and special for once.”
Gathering my courage, I connect my eyes with his. “And I’m just so…grateful.”
Dash’s gaze softens, trailing over my features.
“So thank you,” I finally say. “Thank you for just…being you.”
“Ruby—”
“Don’t ruin it,” I laugh, laying my head against his chest. “I just want to enjoy tonight. And you holding me.”
Dash remains silent, swallowing whatever it was he was going to say. He continues to hold me close, giving me a gift I’ll always remember. If only this moment could last a lifetime.
***
Dash
When we make it back to the limo after the gala, Ruby’s gait is off. If I had to guess, those sky-high heels she’s been wearing all night are starting to get to her. I let her slide in first, then follow behind and settle in next to her.
A long sigh expels from her chest as she lays her head against the leather interior. “That was so much fun,” she says with a breathy laugh. “And a touch exhausting.”
Lifting the back of her hand to my lips, I place a gentle kiss against her skin. “Do your feet hurt, Tinsel?”
She winces. “Oh, gosh. Was it that obvious?”
I adjust in the seat, carefully gripping her ankle and bringing her foot to my lap. “Just as we were walking back here.”
Her breathing quickens when I undo the clasp and remove the heel. “That feels much better.”
I pick up her other ankle and repeat the motion. Her sparkly, red-painted toenails gleam under the limo lights. I twist the silver toe ring on her second toe. “This is cute.”
“Oh. Thanks.” She tries to pull both feet back, but I don’t let her. “Dash, my feet have been in heels all night. I’m sure they’re all funky and sweaty.”
“They’re not.” Ignoring her protests, I gently knead the arch of her foot, taking care to hit the spot right in front of her heel. When she lets out a little moan, I smile. “That good?”
“Too good. Dash—” She breaks off when I hit another spot and closes her eyes. “I feel like I should be paying you for this.” A laugh rattles her shoulders. “You’re that good.”
My stupidly cocky smile widens. “Free of charge, Tinsel. It’s the least I can do after all you did for me tonight. I know walking around in a tight dress and heels probably isn’t your ideal way to spend a Saturday night.”
Her eyes lock on mine. “It is if I’m doing it with you.”
Smiling, I pause my ministrations. “If you ever have a fancy dinner you need a date for, you know who to call.”
She grins and closes her eyes, allowing me to continue massaging her tired feet.
If I’m honest, I don’t want this night to end, just like I haven’t wanted the week to end.
We’ve spent every extra minute we’ve been able to together after my family left DC.
It’s like we both became starkly aware that the clock on our relationship had begun to count down, and we didn’t want to waste a second.
So we haven’t.
But my flight leaves tomorrow. A fact neither one of us wants to discuss.
“Did…” She pauses. Swallows. “Did your ex not like going to events with you?”
I blink, surprised. It’s the first time Ruby has ever brought up Sarah. Not exactly my topic of choice on our last night together, but I humor her.
“No. She didn’t. It was important to Sarah to keep our relationship out of the public eye.”
She nods, seeming to chew on that piece of information. “How long were you together?”
“Almost three years.”
Her eyes widen. “Wow,” she breathes.
A smirk starts on my lips. “I’m surprised my sisters didn’t already fill you in on the nitty gritty concerning her. Apparently, they never liked her.”
She looks down at her hands and begins fidgeting.
“They like you, though.”
She blinks up at me. “So they’ve said. Once or twice.” Her attention falls back to her lap. “So…who broke up with who?”
“She broke up with me. Said we wanted different things for our future.”
“Was that…true?”
I squeeze the back of Ruby’s ankle, taking my time there. “Yes, but I didn’t want to see it then. I lo—” Thinking better of it, I decide against finishing the rest. But Ruby finishes it for me.
“You loved her.”
With a reluctant nod, I admit, “I did. Maybe too much. I couldn’t see past my own feelings and missed that she didn’t reciprocate them.”
She’s silent for several seconds until she says, “I’m sorry, Dash.”
I smile, wishing she didn’t frown on my account. “There’s no need to be sorry. It’s all in the past. Besides, I…I wouldn’t have met you if I was still with her.”
There’s so much more I want to say, but she hasn’t given me the green light to bare my soul this week. If anything, she’s kept our relationship on the more lighthearted side.
If she’s not ready to pursue a long-distance relationship with all that she has, then we’ll never work. It’s been hard enough finding the time to see her between my work and hers. Add family stress and distance to that and…
I suppress a sigh. She wanted to enjoy one last night with me, and I’m not going to ruin it by voicing my desires and feelings like a blubbering idiot.
She’s glad she met me, and I am fundamentally changed having met her.
I focus on giving her the best foot massage of her life and eventually, her exhaustion wins out. Her eyes close again, soft snores filling the quiet. We make it back to her house too soon. If I could stop the clock right now, I would. But all good things end at one point or another.
“Ruby,” I say, giving her foot a light squeeze. “Ruby, you’re home, baby."
Her eyes blink open. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry I fell asleep.”
I chuckle. “It’s fine.”
She swipes a hand under her eyes and drags her feet back to the floor. “You must have magic hands or something. That or I’m just really tired.”
“Let’s go with the first thing.”
A sleepy giggle slips from her lips as I help her out of the limo. She moves toward her house on bare feet while I carry her heels in my hand. Once we reach her front door, we stop and face each other.
I skim my hand down her upper arm, loving when she shivers at the contact. “Were you still planning on seeing me off at the airport tomorrow?”
She gives me a shaky nod. “Mmhm.” Her little sniffle has me gathering her up in my arms.
“Hey, it’s all right.” I brush the hair from her face. “Shhh, Ruby. Please don’t cry, baby.”
“I’m just going to miss you.” She grips me tight, fingers digging into my back. “I’ve loved getting to know you, Dash. You’re a one-of-a-kind.”
I laugh at that. “So are you, Ruby with the Tinsel. So are you.”
I’m not sure how long we linger on her porch, clinging to each other in the dark. But by the time she pulls away, staring up at me with a watery smile, all I can do is kiss her.
It’s not heated like what we shared at the park days ago, but tender, emotional. A goodbye I wish I didn’t have to give. When she releases a tiny moan, I pull back, but only far enough to tease her with tiny kisses to her cheeks, her nose, her forehead.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” I say. “It meant a lot to me.”
“Anytime, Hockey Boy.” She lifts up onto her toes and gives me one more peck. “We’ll still talk, right? Like you said before?”
I want to do so much more than just keep in touch with her. But it feels selfish to ask for more. “We’ll talk.” I let my hands rest against her back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Meet you there at two,” she says, stepping away from me. “Night, Dash.”
I let myself memorize her in that gorgeous dress one last time before she picks up her heels and slips inside the door, taking my heart along with her.
“Night.”
I walk back to the limo, cursing myself for letting her go without confessing my true feelings. So much so that when I climb into bed later at the hotel, I determine to tell her everything before I get on that airplane tomorrow.
I can’t leave DC without telling her what she means to me.