Page 20 of Together at Ruby's

“I see,” Nikki said as she looked thoughtfully into the distance. “That makes this even more complicated.”

“Yeah, it does,” Tate said. “I’m afraid if I go to anyone at work to complain they’ll think it’s sour grapes and not believe me. Besides, I can’t prove anything. It’s my word over hers when she is basically my boss right now.”

Nikki frowned. “I don’t know what to say, but we need to fix this.”

“I know,” Tate replied. “And quickly.”

15

It was not until she had buckled her seatbelt in the car that Liza let herself cry. As Allie pulled out of the small parking lot behind Ruby’s, Liza covered her face with her hands and sobbed. She was thankful Allie was wise enough to simply drive and let the tears come, not saying a word until Liza had a moment to get it out before finding her composure. Rubbing her eyes to clear them, Liza sucked in a shaky breath. “Thank you so much, Allie,” she said. “I appreciate your offer, but I really can go to a hotel. I don’t want you to feel like you were put on the spot.”

“Absolutely not,” Allie said, reaching to touch Liza’s thigh and give it a pat. “We have plenty of space, and I want you to feel welcome for as long as you need.”

“You’re a good friend,” Liza said, before a half sob escaped. She shook her head. “I just don’t know what’s happening between me and Tate.”

Putting on her turn signal and coming to a stop at the light, Allie nodded slowly as she looked out the windshield. “Things do seem a little unclear between you,” she said. “And I’m sure that sounds like an understatement.”

“A little,” Liza said with a tearful laugh. “I can’t believe it’s only been three days since you and Rey and I were at the shopping mall mooning over the engagement rings.” She swallowed hard. “Life has taken such a scary turn.”

“I’m sure,” Allie said, speeding up again as they headed down Glisan Street toward the waterfront. “But…”

When she hesitated, Liza looked at her. “But what?”

Allie bit her lip before answering then said, “Well, I’m not trying to say you’re wrong, but I believe one hundred percent in Tate. She is honest to the core, which is why I know you will work through this. What you have together cannot be destroyed in three days.”

Liza looked out the window and watched the buildings pass.She’s right, Liza thought.And I know Tate loves me. But right now, I don’t know quite what to make of everything. “I believe what you are saying,” Liza agreed. “But I still want to stay the night at your house.”

“Of course,” Allie said. “We will curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and discuss any topic other than relationships. How does that sound?”

“That sounds perfect,” Liza said, thinking about how certain Allie sounded regarding Tate. “How did you meet Tate?”

Allie smiled. “I actually met her through an ex of mine. They played softball together, and I would watch their games.” She laughed a bit. “Tate was the shortstop, and she was quite impressive. She had a girlfriend at the time, and the four of us would hang out after the games and drink beer.”

“Really?” Liza said, trying to picture her serious and steady girlfriend all sweaty, drinking beer after playing a game of softball. “I wonder why she doesn’t play still.”

With a shrug, Allie turned them onto her street. “Well, as fate would have it, our girlfriends ended up hooking up and dumping us, but Tate and I stayed friends. After a while, I think Tate just got a lot more serious about her career. Weekends weren’t for playing anymore.”

“That sounds like Tate,” Liza said. “It worries me that she works so hard.” She sighed. “But I don’t know that she can change.”

Walking into the empty house,aside from Zombie sleeping on the back of the couch, Tate’s shoulders sagged with sadness. Her life had been turned upside down, and the fact Liza would not be spending the night with her was crushing. “How did I let this happen?” she said to Zombie who did nothing but open one eye. “How did everything get so out of control?” Dropping her bag onto the couch, she sank next to it. It seemed impossible for everything to unwind in less than a week. Closing her eyes, she let her head rest on the cushion, wishing she could simply fall asleep and have everything be a bad dream.

When her phone buzzed in her pocket, she grabbed at it hoping it was Liza. Yet when she looked at the screen, it was the last person she wanted to talk to. Aurora Price. She contemplated not answering but somehow knew the woman would keep calling until she did.What could she possibly have to say to me, she thought.Especially after the way things ended on the sidewalk at the restaurant.Pushing the connect button, she lifted it to her ear. “Hello.”

“Tate,” Aurora said, her voice low, and strangely appealing. “Thank you for answering. I’m worried about you.” For some reason those words were enough to set Tate off. All her walls to keep out her anger started to crumble.How can this woman have the nerve to say she is worried about me?Tate wondered.After the mess she has made of my life?

Yet, as much as she wanted to blast her on the phone and place blame, Tate took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

There was a long pause before Aurora answered. “You don’t sound fine. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” Tate snapped before she caught herself. “No, I do not.”

“Well, if you change your mind…” Aurora said in a slightly cooler tone. “I’m always here for you.” Tate didn’t even bother to respond and instead disconnected the call. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do about the Aurora Price problem, but right now, she only wanted to talk to one person—Liza.

With the phone still her hand, she dialed her girlfriend’s number and waited. It rang four times and then went to voicemail. Tate wasn’t surprised, but it did not help her disappointment. “Hi,” she said softly. “I miss you. I’m sorry. I know you’re safe, but I hope you will also consider coming home.” Hanging up, Tate felt a tightness in her throat from the threat of tears. She hated to cry, and it had seemed she was on the verge way too often the last few days. Sitting there alone in the dark, hoping that Liza would call was not going to help and she knew it.I need to do something to distract myself,she thought.I can’t just sit here.Suddenly, the answer came to her. She would go to the place that was almost as special to her as Ruby’s—her gym.

A quick change into her workout clothes and she could jog over to the gym and lift weights until her body was so tired that she might have a chance to sleep tonight.And with a little luck, things will be better in the morning.

Takinga long sip of the delicious margarita, Liza relished the flavors of tequila and lime before she swallowed. The alcohol could not affect her fast enough. She felt miserable and wanted any means of escape. It didn’t hurt that the cocktail was made by Vivian and therefore one of the best she ever had. The woman was simply a magician when it came to mixology. Liza hummed. “This margarita tastes fantastic,” she said. “I don’t know what you put in these, but they are always the best.”

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