Page 32 of Together at Ruby's

Clasping her hands together, Liza’s eyes glistened. “Thank you all so much,” she had. “I didn’t think I wanted a cake, but this is so beautiful…” She reached for Tate’s hand. “This really does mean the world to me. I love you all.” Rey, Marty, and Allie all gave her a quick hug before rushing back to serve the waiting crowd.

Liza looked at Nikki. “I imagine everyone is in on this, but you instigated it didn’t you?”

The tall blonde woman shrugged. “Maybe. Now, how about we sing happy birthday?”

“That’s not really necessary,” Liza said, waving her hands. “I’m fine—”

Before she could get out the rest of her sentence, Nikki started singing. All the others quickly chimed in and they serenaded Liza with the familiar song. People waiting in the lines and gathered along the tables started to sing as well.

As she sang, Tate could tell what was happening was a magical moment for the woman she loved and stepping closer as a song finished, she took Liza in her arms. “Happy birthday, Liza,” she said. “You are beautiful.”

23

After having a slice of the delicious, raspberry filled, birthday cake, Liza worked the ‘Welcome to Ruby’s’ booth between Tate and Nikki. Business was good. People lined up to have a chance to try the little mocktails. “This is going so well,” she said to her friends. “Vivian will get so much more business from this.”

Tate and Nikki both nodded. “She is a savvy businesswoman,” Nikki agreed. “But I hear you were in on the original idea.”

“Really?” Tate asked from the other side of Liza. “Why am I not surprised? You’re always creative.”

Liza gave Tate a smile before pecking her on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said. “But it was a combination of all three of us. Allie and Vivian are the ones who made it actually happen.”

Nikki grinned as she poured another row of mocktails to hand out. “You know who else could be an amazing businesswoman?”

With a frown, Liza shook her head. “No,” she said, not sure who Nikki referred to.

“Tate.”

Surprised, Liza glanced at Tate who apparently had not heard Nikki.Or she’s pretending not to have,she thought, handing out drinks while telling people to come visit Ruby’s.So, what is Nikki talking about?Liza was about to ask Nikki to explain when she caught Tate giving Nikki a small shake of her head. “Wait a minute,” Liza said. “What am I missing here? Is this another thing that I haven’t been told about?” The last sentence came out with a little more bite than she intended, but some of the original anger lingered.

Clearly seeing the change on her face, Tate held up a hand to pause her. “It’s not what you think,” Tate said. “Nikki is just playing around, right Nikki?”

After winking at a pretty girl in her line, Nikki looked over. “If you say so,” she said with a grin. “But you know we would be awesome.”

“How would you be awesome?” Liza said, giving them both a glare. “Somebody tell me right now!”

Tate sighed. “She’s talking about the gym. It’s going up for sale.”

“Oh no,” Liza said as they information registered. Tate had to be so disappointed. The woman loved going to that gym and had been since before Liza even knew her. “When did that happen?”

“We just heard about it this week,” Nikki said.

“That’s horrible news,” Liza said, still dealing with her surprise.

Tate shrugged. “It is what it is.”

Suddenly, Liza thought about what they were saying a minute before. “How does this translate to being a businesswoman? Are you two buying the gym or something?”

“Like I said,” Tate answered. “Nikki was just playing around.” Not satisfied with the answer, Liza continued to serve mocktails. She would let it go for now but planned to ask Tate about it later. Clearly changing the subject, Tate nodded toward a man in the crowd. “What do you think his story is?”

Liza followed her gaze. There was a stranger wearing a business suit, looking uncomfortable in the summer heat. “That’s weird,” she said. “Maybe someone should go talk to him.” She looked at Tate and smiled. “I think it should be you.”

Not sure she heard right,Tate raised an eyebrow. “So why exactly do you want me to go?”

Nikki and Liza both smiled at her. “He looks like a deer caught in headlights,” Nikki said.

“Exactly,” Liza added. “If Nikki or I go rushing up to him, he’ll get spooked and who knows what will happen.”

Tate snorted a laugh. “You make him sound like some kind of rare species.”

---