Chapter 4
Ruby
Itossed and turned all night long. I woke bleary eyed and barely made it down in time for breakfast. A few friends were there, and I caught up with them and listened to the gossip that I had missed out on since I got to the hotel late.
Some of them were going to get together today, but I had to beg off with the excuse that I had to work.
When in actuality, I spend the whole day searching online for jobs.
I’ve barely gotten one email sent when I receive a reply.
It's obvious that my boss has blacklisted me from working anywhere in New York.
Reply after reply of corporations telling me they're not interested.
I'm not trying to be conceited, but my resume is a good one.
Working at the firm that I left should give me a foot in the door with no problem.
I spend the rest of the day searching for job openings outside of the downtown New York area.
There's no way my boss’ reach can be that far.
Morning turns into afternoon and afternoon into evening.
I dress carefully for the bachelorette party, and I brush my hair until it shines.
I don’t use a lot of makeup at the office, but tonight I apply eye liner and mascara, giving my eyes a smoky look, and I swipe on a red shade of lipstick.
My skirt is the shortest thing I’ve worn in a long time, but the itinerary said club attire.
I had nothing that would work and had to go shopping last week.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I don’t look like me.
I’m used to wearing suit jackets and pumps, not short skirts and heels.
I take a deep breath. The woman at the boutique said it was perfect, and I adjust my off-the-shoulder top before grabbing my purse. I turn side to side and decide to be brave. I look different, but I feel confident.
I've done my best to not think about Austin, but I'm learning that I need to give that up. It's been seven years, and not a day goes by that I don't think about him. I don’t know why I thought I could stop now, especially after seeing him and knowing he could pop up around a corner at any minute. He’s staying in this hotel, and the whole way downstairs, I wonder if I’ll run into him again before Sunday.
I keep my head down as I walk through the lobby and get into the car. I ride over with some of my friends. Everyone is laughing and giggling. I do my best to join in with them and let my worries go.
When we get to the club, someone buys drinks, and before I know it, it’s like old times.
We dance and drink and have a good time.
The band starts playing a slow song, and there's a peck on my shoulder.
I turn and look, and there's a man standing next to us, looking at me expectantly. “Want to dance?”
I should say no. There's not one part of me that wants to dance with this man. I compare him to Austin, just like I've done to every other man these last seven years, and this guy doesn’t even hold a candle to the McCoy cowboy that has a starring role in all my dreams.
I open my mouth to say no when Austin sweeps in and stands between the guy and me.
“Dance with me.” He says it as a command and not a question.
Speechless, I stare up at him. Where did he even come from?
And even though I don't give him an answer, he grabs on to my hand and pulls me toward the dance floor.
I can only imagine what Sadie and the other girls are all thinking.
They all know Austin, and I'm sure nobody is as surprised as I am when he stops on the dance floor and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against him.
I look up at him, searching his eyes. His cowboy hat offers a shadow, and it's hard to see what he is thinking. “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the bachelor party?”
His hands tighten at my waist, pulling me closer to him. “I wanted to be here.”
I look around the modern club and then back at him. It doesn't seem like his kind of thing. “Really? At The Wave? Is this the type of place you hang out at now?”
He smiles at that. “Honey, you know me better than that. If it doesn't have a jukebox or peanut shells on the floor, it's probably not my type of place.”
Being this close to him has my whole body tense and on high alert.
When my breast grazes against his chest, I pull back a little, not wanting him to feel the evidence of my arousal.
He has no clue what being this close to him does to me.
A part of me wonders, What's he even doing and why is he doing this? Does he enjoy torturing me?
The song ends, and I can't get off the dance floor fast enough.
I make my way across the bar and order a shot of tequila.
Austin stops next to me, crowding me. The heat from his body affects me.
And when the drink is set in front of me, I drink it fast, letting the cold liquid burn down my throat.
“Another one,” I order. The bartender smiles and gives me a wink before pouring the shot and setting it in front of me.
I hold it up to Austin, asking him if he wants some, and when he shakes his head side to side, I down it too and slam the glass onto the bar top in front of me.
Austin pulls his wallet out and lays the bills out on the bar.
“I can pay for my own drinks,” I tell him.
He puts his hand on the money to keep it there. “I know you can, but I want to buy them for you.”
I put my hand on my hip and look up at him. I had a few drinks earlier, and these shots are already starting to affect me. “What are you even doing here, Austin? I mean, I'm serious.”
He looks almost guilty when he replies, “I showed up here in Florida at the hotel, and when Avery's dad found out I was here for the week, he invited me to the wedding.”
I cross my arms over my chest and wait for him to continue. “Okaaaay... So what are you doing in Florida?”
I hold my breath waiting for his answer. I swear if he tells me that he's here with a woman, I'm going to throw up right here on his cowboy boots.
He leans down and looks me straight into the eye. “I came for you.”