Page 30 of Holding You
“No.”
“I think you did.”
“I enjoyed the challenge. Not you.”
“Oh, I get it. You like to be challenged. I can work with that.”
“Don’t make this a thing.”
“I’m not making it a thing.”
“You are.”
“I’m just saying that if you open yourself up to the idea of friends, things like this could happen more often.”
“Me hitting you in the face with a ball?”
I bump her shoulder with mine.
“You having fun.”
“I have fun.”
“Do you?”
“I … let’s just move on.”
“Right. I told Max he was welcome to come over for movie night tonight if it was okay with you.”
“Of course.”
“You are welcome as well.”
She laughs. “No, thank you."
Then she rushes off to help Shay and Quinn start packing up. My eyes shamelessly veer to her ass in her bikini. I give myself a good one, two count and look away.
I take a deep breath.
There’s no point in being attracted to Ruby. She wants nothing to do with me.
And yet … I don’t know why I’m determined to make Ruby my friend, but I am.
Maybe I like the challenge, too.
Nothing beatsa long cold shower after a day in the sun. I saunter down the steps to the living room. Susie is already curled up with a blanket and a large bowl of popcorn in front of her. Next to her are three bowls.
She grins innocently.
“Movies always have to come with popcorn, Dad.”
I sigh. Some nights, there isn’t any point in arguing with my daughter.
I flop into the recliner, lean forward to scoop up a bowl of buttery popcorn, and Max walks through the front door.
Ruby is right behind him.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” I ask. “It’s Mario.”
