Page 35 of The Trouble with Wanting

And that’s really all you need at the end of the day.

When I glance at Ruby, I see her watching the twins with this strange mixture of happiness and adoration in her expression. I like seeing her enjoying the time with them, though I know we need to get going if I want to whisk my girl away to watch the sunset.

I swallow thickly at my own words.

My girl.

You could have asked me that question every day for the past decade and I never would have thought I’d legitimately have that phrase in my mind regarding a woman, especially not one I just met.

I’ve only had a few relationships since moving to Boston over a decade ago, short little nothings that wouldn’t be a blip on most people’s radar, and each of them ended because there was always a wall in place that was keeping them at a distance.

Now I’m calling Ruby my girl when I met her literal hours ago? Jesus. I need to slow my fucking roll here and soon or I’m going to be declaring my love when I take her home.

Eventually, we all agree it’s time to head out, the rowdier bunch of townies arriving in waves and escalating the noise out of conversational level and into shout mode.

“It was so great meeting you both,” Ruby says, giving both Bellamy and Bishop hugs as we stop at the side of Hank. “I hope I’ll get to see you again while I’m in town.”

“Oh you can bet on it,” Bellamy says. “We’re having a bonfire tomorrow night at Forks if you wanna come.”

“I don’t know what a Forks is, but I’d love to join,” Ruby says, but then her expression drops slightly as she looks at me. “Sorry, I should have asked you first. I don’t want to intrude.”

“I was going to invite you,” I say, giving Bellamy a look, “before the little monster swiped the invite out from underneath me.”

My sister gives me a look that says she enjoys my irritation. “Hey, man, if you see something you like, you gotta jump on it fast or someone else will yank it from your hands.” She swings an arm around Ruby’s shoulders. “Which is why Ruby, here, is going to be my date tomorrow—not yours.”

Even though my sister bugs me and her little games are more than obvious, I let it go, seeing the clear enjoyment on Ruby’s face at being on the receiving end of Bellamy’s attention.

“Well if you’re stealing her for the bonfire, don’t take offense when I tell you two to fuck off so Ruby and I can finish our evening without you,” I say, causing both girls to giggle and Bishop to let out a harsh laugh.

Ruby and Bellamy exchange numbers and hug again before she walks over to where I’ve pulled the passenger door open.

“Bye guys!” Bellamy says before she and Bishop walk over to his Bronco parked in the corner.

“See you,” I call after them as I round the hood.

Once I’m inside, I look over at Ruby, who is still beaming.

“You look so pleased.” I turn my key in the ignition and turn to look over my shoulder as I back out. “I’m assuming you had fun tonight?”

“Oh my gosh, so much fun.”

Ruby turns to the side and presses her back against her door, looking at me straight on.

“Those two are hilarious. Thank you so much for inviting me out, seriously. I wasn’t expecting to have any fun on this trip at all, and you guys have turned that all around on the first day.”

Something solidifies in my chest at her words, the knowledge that I improved her outlook on the trip feeding this desire to make her smile that’s taken root inside of me.

“I’m glad. The twins are a mess, but they’re good people. I think you and Bellamy are really going to like each other.”

“I think so, too.”

We drive in silence for a little bit as I take the same road back to the Bellows’ house. Ruby and I never talked about what this evening would look like, and I feel like I got to spend time with her, but not enough.

When we pull up in front of her dad’s, I’m still working up my ideas for how we can hang out for longer without making it seem like I want her to invite me in.

“I know we missed the sunset, but do you want to sit out on the deck for a little bit?” I ask.

When she hesitates, I know I’ve pushed too quickly.

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