Page 65 of Under A Sicilian Sky
Ruby felt awash with guilt again. ‘Oh no, that’s such a shame, Val.’
Valerie sighed. ‘Yeah, it is what it is. Oh, and I don’t know how much TV you’re seeing or if the tabloids have picked up the story but…’
Ruby closed her eyes and clenched her jaw. What could it be this time? ‘Please. Just out with it, Val.’
‘Tyler Harrison has gone public with his new lover.’
Ruby opened her eyes wide. ‘Bloody Norah. That was quick.’
‘Indeed it was. He doesn’t hang around.’
Ruby was again surprised at how unaffected she was. ‘So, who is she?’
There was a long pause and an audible intake of breath. ‘Aurora Santos.’ She imagined the pinched expression on Valerie’s face as she imparted the news. Maybe she had crawled under her desk too for fear of the fallout.
Ruby snorted. ‘It figures.’
‘I wanted you to know because it sounds like they may be about to announce their engagement.’
Unsure of where the mirth came from, Ruby laughed out loud, a raucous, unladylike sound that shocked the man walking by her. ‘Wow! We should rename him Speedy Gonzalez.’
‘Are you okay?’ Valerie’s voice was laced with pity and it irked Ruby a little. ‘I know it must be hard to hear. I know you loved him, honey.’
Ruby thought for a moment about whether she had or had not, in fact, loved Tyler Harrison. Things happened extremely fast between them too, but it now struck her that he was the kind of man who loved theideaof love, and the excitement and publicity it brought – maybe more the latter than the former – and that when it came down to real life, he had no intentions of taking himself off the market permanently and committing to one person; there would always be another new, rising star to catch his eye and boost his ego.
He had met Aurora on the same day Ruby had, and he had flirted with her, but, of course, she had brushed it aside and made excuses to herself, ‘He’s being friendly,’ and ‘He’s being nice because she doesn’t know anyone.’ However, with the gift of hindsight, she could’ve kicked herself for being so gullible.
‘Do you know what, Val? I’m absolutely fine about it. I’m over him. I really, genuinely am.’
Valerie paused again before saying, ‘Oh, great! That’s great!’ She cleared her throat. ‘And… the small matter about whether I’m to continue as your agent…? You may be my only client going forward.’ She laughed lightly.
With the latest revelation from Shelby, she hadn’t had time to form a decision. ‘To be honest, Val, I haven’t thought about it. My head is all over the place just now. We’ve known each other for such a long time, and I don’t like the thought of losing you. But the fact is, at least for the short term, you won’t be getting me any new contracts. Not until this whole mess is cleared up. So, let’s leave things as they are for now. Okay?’
‘Yes.’ The relief in Valerie’s voice was evident. ‘Yes, let’s do that. Well, I should go. I’ve been in the office since seven this morning catching up, seeing as my PA is currently on loan, and I haven’t even had coffee and it’s coming up to ten here. Bye for now, Ruby. Take care.’
Ruby closed her eyes at the mention of Shelby and forced a positive, ‘You too. Bye.’
Ruby crouched down in front of Chewie, who was sitting patiently beside her. ‘Come on, you gorgeous boy. I should take you home. Even though I’m so tempted to run away with you. Yesh I am… yesh I am.’ She scratted behind his ears as she spoke, and his tongue lolled out before he licked her from her chin to her nose. ‘Eeuw! Thanks Chewie.’
* * *
Ruby knocked on the door at Reid and Jules’ house and Evin came bounding to answer it.
‘Hi, Miss Locke.’
Reid arrived at the door, wiping his paint covered hands on a rag. ‘Hey Ruby.’
‘Hi, Reid, we’re back.’
‘Has he been good?’ the young boy asked, his cheeks turning pink.
‘The best. Thank you for letting me borrow him. And you can call me Ruby if you like.’
The colour of Evin’s cheeks deepened and he looked to his dad for approval.
Reid smiled and ruffled his son’s hair. ‘You heard the lady.’
Evin turned back to her. ‘Thank you, R-Ruby. I think you might be Chewie’s next favourite after his family,’ he said, crouching to fuss the dog.
