Page 48 of Beyond Expectations

“Wait, you never told me you met someone. Who is it?”

I paused. Ruby was my best friend, and I tell her absolutely everything. But suddenly, I wondered how she would react to me telling her I was going on a date with Rhett. Especially since I’d been shooting her down every time she mentioned his name.

“I’m meeting Rhett.”

She paused for so long that I thought we’d been disconnected.

“Ruby, are you there?”

“Yeah, sorry, wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Jeez, what happened? Last week, you wouldn’t even let me say his name, and now you’re going on a date.”

“It’s complicated, but I saw him today at work. We talked and… well… I changed my mind.”

Walking over to my jewelry box, I grab my favorite piece. When I started my company, my father gave me the necklace—a rose gold chain with a coral gemstone pendant.

“But why?”

I explained the situation with Verity and how that woman is determined to snag him. I also told her what he said to me about his father.

“Ruby, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m sorry. After what you told me about what had happened, I thought you were done with him. Plus, how he reacted when their father told them all, Serena, he just left. His mom and sisters were distraught. Julian was devastated. Rhett, on the other hand, didn’t say or do anything. He was like a robot. He just got up and left.”

My heart hurt for him. Somehow, I understood the need to not break down in front of people. When I learned my mom had left, I wanted to get on with things—not wanting or needing anyone and just wanting to be alone. And I was only a child at the time.

“But when I told you how he wouldn’t stop ringing me, you should have said something then. I feel awful. It’s bad enough he’s dealing with the news his father’s dying. Add to that, me completely blocking him out and ignoring every attempt he made to contact me.”

“Babe, I don’t know what to say. I truly am sorry.”

As I finished fastening my necklace, I continued filling Ruby in on what happened.

“After he told me everything, I looked into his eyes, and I knew he was telling me the truth. And then he kissed me.”

“And…”

“And his PA walked in. He invited me to his office, but I needed to return to work, so I suggested we go for dinner this evening.”

“Hold on, so you asked him out? Look at you.”

“Rubes, we live in the 21st century. I run my own company. I’m capable of asking a man to dinner.

“You mean a date?”

She laughed.

“Whatever.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, since you’re in such an asking mood, will you invite him back to yours at the end of the evening?”

“No! That will not be happening.”

“Oh, come on, I know you wanna fuck him again. After how good you told me he was, even I want to.”

“Ruby! You’re dating his brother.”

“I know. I know. I’m just kidding.”

---