Page 7 of Together at Ruby's

Liza sighed. “I think I’ll just stay home,” she answered. “I have some online shopping I want to catch up on.”

“Okay, but if you change your mind, send me a text,” Allie said and Liza nodded.

“I will. Good luck with your planning.”

“Thank you,” Allie said, and they disconnected. Looking around the empty house, Liza blew out an angry breath. A storm was building inside her and she didn’t know what to do about it. The urge to throw something was strong, and she eyeballed the bouquet of flowers Tate had given her. They almost seemed to mock her, but a sliver of reason kept her from flinging the whole thing at the wall. With no other outlet, Liza let out a scream of absolute frustration before throwing herself on one of the couches. It seemed she would be alone waiting for Tate after all.

Circlingthe block for the third time, Tate grew more and more frustrated when she couldn’t find a parking spot on a street anywhere near Ruby’s. As heavy summer rain started to patter the windshield, she finally squeezed her Explorer into a spot three blocks away.How appropriate, she thought as she got out and realized she had not picked up her coat when she stormed out of the house.Maybe a walk in the pouring rain will do me good.

By the time she reached Ruby’s front door, the sky had opened its floodgates. Her short hair was plastered to her head, her clothes looked like she had worn them in a shower, and water ran down her face. Walking inside, she noticed Vivian and Allie standing with Nikki at the bar counter. The three women were deep in conversation, at least until they noticed her. She couldn’t miss the look that passed among them as they took in her appearance and sudden arrival.

“Well, now,” Nikki drawled. “You look a little bit like a drowned rat. Everything okay, Tate?”

“No,” Tate snapped as she took a seat on the stool beside her best friend. “Nothing is okay.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Allie slip away toward Vivian’s office. It was likely the woman was going to grab her coat and then disappear out the back door en route to check on Liza.Funny how she didn’t even have to ask a question to think that we were fighting again, Tate thought with a bit of sadness.Are we that bad?Then it dawned on her Liza might have already reached out and told her friends what was going on.Well, at least Liza will have someone to vent to about my failures.

“What can I get you?” Vivian asked from the other side of the bar. “Bourbon on the rocks?”

“Yes, please,” Tate said trying to rein in her anger. It was completely unlike her, and she shouldn’t direct her frustration at her friends. They weren’t the ones who stole her promotion.

Vivian nodded. “Coming up.”

While Vivian pulled a bottle from the top shelf of the rows behind her, Nikki leaned in. “I’m a little confused,” her friend said quietly. “You were on cloud nine yesterday at the gym and now you look ready to commit murder. What the hell happened?”

Tate sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to jinx it,” Tate finally answered, unable to help but see the irony of the situation. She had been careful, but it didn’t help. “But I was up for a big promotion at work. So big that it would change mine and Liza’s life forever.”

“And?” Nikki asked with a raised eyebrow. “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out something went wrong there.”

Take shook her head. “No, it doesn’t,” she said. “I didn’t get the promotion. They gave it to another woman who I’ve never even seen before.”

Vivian set the glass of bourbon in front of Tate while Nikki let out a long whistle. “An outsider,” she said. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow,” Tate added as she reached for her wallet.

Vivian waved her off. “That one’s on the house.”

“Thank you,” Tate said and Vivian nodded.

“That’s tough luck,” she said. “I haven’t known you for that long, but I can tell you work hard for that company, and you deserve to be treated better.”

Tate felt the sting of tears. What Vivian said was true—she did deserve to be treated better.So, now what?she wondered, picking up her drink.And what do I do about Aurora Price?

7

When there was a quiet knock at the front door, Liza didn’t have to think twice to know who was outside—Allie. If Allie was still at Ruby’s when an angry Tate arrived, it was likely she correctly guessed Liza was upset and so came over for support.That’s why I love her so much, Liza thought, opening the door. “You’re right on time,” she said. “I just opened a fresh bottle of red.”

“Sounds perfect,” Allie said as she walked in from the rain. “This weather is impossible.” After taking off her damp coat, Allie hung it on the rack near the door a moment before opening her arms. Liza stepped in for a reassuring hug. It felt good to have someone care so much, and they stood there for a moment before Liza pulled back, quickly wiping a tear from her eye.

“So, let me guess,” Liza said, gathering herself as she led the way to the kitchen. “My phone call plus Tate probably showing up at the bar was enough for you to figure out we had had another fight.”

Allie gave her a sad smile. “Yes,” she said. “It was impossible to miss. But I will say Tate looked terrible.” Liza felt a stab of guilt in her chest. Her girlfriend had a horrible day at work with the bad news, yet Liza piled on because of her own hurt and disappointment.Which was unfair to her, Liza thought as she poured the second glass of wine.But I can’t seem to help myself. I lash out when I’m hurt, disappointed, or especially when I’m scared.The sudden turn of events did scare her. She didn’t know how it would affect her future with Tate.

Handing the wine to Allie she sighed. “Did you hear anything about what happened?” she asked as Allie took the glass.

“I slipped away as soon as I saw her so upset.”

“I see,” Liza said wondering for a second if it was finally okay to tell people about Tate’s promised promotion.Oh, what the hell, she thought.It’s not like things can get more screwed up than they already are. “Well, remember how I was excited about looking at engagement rings yesterday?”

“Yes,” Allie said with a raised eyebrow. “Please don’t tell me this is about a proposal gone wrong.”

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