Page 37 of Heart & Hope

“Thanks,” I rasp.

“You’re welcome, sweet man.”

Something low in my gut flips. This isn’t supposed to be real. It isn’t supposed to feel like this.

“Oh, shoot. I forgot my perfume.” She ducks back inside the bathroom and sprays something that trails to the bedroom. When she pops back out, the scent surrounds us.

Strawberries.

This woman is stunning, head to toe. And the fact that she is incredibly smart and talented at the thing she loves most sends a warmth through my body.

We make our way down to the enormous ballroom. When the ushers at the door wave us in, she stops still, and I slide my hand into hers. “You did good, Rubes. This is magnificent. Breathe.”

Her hand squeezes mine, and she glances up and nods.

A heartbeat later, Mary-Sue is by her side. They chat logistics for catering one last time before Ruby assures the older woman that everything has been checked and triple-checked, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I know she worries about every last detail and the clients being happy with each aspect of her planning.

The entrée comes around, and I take enough for me and Ruby, ensuring she has the chance to eat as the night goes on. When we are seated for the dinner course, she is making conversation with the owner Bill. His attention slides to where I sit, and he nods. “Hi there, you must be Mr. Robbins.”

“Absolutely. Great to meet you, the name’s Reed. Bill?”

I shake his hand, and he starts talking about business numbers and some other boring things I pretend to be interested in.

“What business you in, Robbins?”

Ruby and I haven’t talked about our backstory or what I am supposed to tell people. So I wing it and hope it doesn’t land us in trouble. “Few things, but real estate, mainly. Have a few clients over by Lewistown, so this trip was good for both of us.”

Not a total lie. I do have a vested interest in land and the ranch I now own. And Harry owns more again, so real estate fits.

“Keeping you busy then, hey?” Bill asks.

“Yup. Always busy. But it keeps me occupied while Rubes takes on the world.”

Bill laughs and slaps my shoulder. “Until the day you make her a mother, buddy. Then you’ll be the one bringing home the bacon. The way it should be.”

I clench my jaw and glance over at Ruby. How the hell does she work with this complete douchebag?

I pick up my beer and take a swig. “Excuse me.”

I stand and bend over Ruby’s shoulder. “Heading outside for a minute, baby.”

Her fingers brush over my knuckles as she nods, not breaking eye contact with the woman she is talking to. I wander outside. I can’t stand another minute sitting next to the chauvinistic old shit. I wouldn’t take away Ruby’s—or any woman’s—career so I canbring home the bacon.

What an asshole.

Outside is the pool area that meets the outdoor café area we sat at yesterday. Tonight, the shrubs and palms are lit up with fairy lights. The pool is lit up with rainbow lights. Soft music plays outside as it does inside. A few guests mill about, but most are too busy talking to notice me. I tug at my bow tie and suck in a breath.

Chlorine races into my senses as I lean over the pool fence and hang my head for a moment. Clacking heels behind me see me lift my head and turn back. Ruby closes the distance between us. “You okay, Reedsy?”

Looking back inside, I shove my hands in my pockets before meeting her gaze. “Yeah, I’m alright.”

“Good. Another half hour or so, and we can go back upstairs. I know this must be getting old.”

She gestures between us.

She means this fake marriage thing.

“Nah, it’s fine. Just needed some air. Bill’s kind of?—”

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