Page 33 of Holding You
“No backyard gate today?” I force a smile as he steps into the kitchen.
“Good morning to you, too, Ruby.”
“Everyone is outside.”
He looks at his watch. “Dismissed in less than ten seconds. A new record.”
I look over my shoulder slowly, replying with only a look that says go away.
“I’m going to miss these tender moments,” his hand goes to his heart as he chuckles and walks out the door.
Miss them?
Oh, right, because he has to move to another part of town.
Bummer.
Shay passes him as she walks into the house, and I let out a breath.
“His face looks better today. I thought he’d have two black eyes this morning.”
I laugh.
“I didn’t hit him that hard. Just clearly in the right spot to make it look worse than it was.”
Shay shakes her head. The moment the ball hit him, something inside me … changed. I had this urge to rush over and help him, and guilt hit me so hard I wanted to cry. That’s not a feeling I’m used to when it comes to Declan, but I am human.
“So, do you think we can meet up this week sometime to go over the designs you have for The Marina?”
“Yes,” I say with a giant smile, grateful for the change of subject. “I went a little overboard and stayed up late last night with a new idea.”
I’ve always loved drawing and creating, really everything related to graphic design, and while romance book covers and social media graphics are my main source of income, having myfriends or family ask me to make something for them has been a whole different kind of high.
Plus, the extra income has been nice.
Our friend Grace, whose family owns Lovers Lodge, asked me to make some for the lodge, too, and I’ve had so much fun letting my creativity run wild with new designs.
“Ruby, I only needed one new logo.”
You know how some people can be looking at their phones and suddenly an hour or two has gone by while they just scroll through social media? That’s how I am with design. I easily get swept away when I’m doing it.
“Fine. I won’t show you the others.”
She shoves my shoulder.
“You’re showing me all of them,” she says and then slouches against the counter. “I wish I were as gifted as you.”
“Um, you own an entire marina. One that has taken a complete one-eighty from this time last year.”
“I know.”
My heart aches at how down she sounds.
I’d been gathering some plates and utensils to take outside, but I stop to give her my full attention.
“Hey, is everything okay?” I stand taller. “Are things with Luca okay?”
A goofy smile tugs at her lips.
