Page 45 of Holding You
If Ruby had it her way, I’d be living across town, farther from her right now, and yet … I’ve never met a woman who made me feel the way I felt just now.
And I have no clue what I’m supposed to do about that.
CHAPTER NINE
RUBY
I swing the door to B’s Bakery open as if my life depended on it.
“Oh, we’re closed. I’m sorry I forgot to switch the—Oh, hi, Ruby.” Brooke beams when she sees us. “Can you flip that sign for me, Max?”
He nods and does as she asks.
“Thanks. If your mom says it’s okay, I have some brownies left over today. Quinn is coming to grab them for Miles, but I bet he won’t mind if you steal one.”
“Nice.” Max takes the treat from her.
“Can you find a table while I talk to Brooke really quickly?”
My son nods, and Brooke sneaks him a cookie to go with his brownie.
I find a spot farthest from Max, and Brooke meets me.
“I have not a clue what you want to talk to me about, but the fact you picked this spot where Max can’t hear means it’s good.”
“It’s … something.” Declan’s face moments before he was going to kiss me yesterday appears in my thoughts.
My stomach practically flips.
Flips.
Shit.
I lean forward
“Something happened yesterday when we were moving Declan and Susie into the house.”
Brooke’s eyes widen. “What happened? Oh my God, did his bed break and now you both have to share yours because, obviously, his giant body is way too large for your couch. Well, maybe not the one in the basement, but it probably still wouldn’t be that … too much?”
I nod. “A little.”
“Sorry. Okay, tell me the real story. I’ll be quiet.”
“We,” I say even softer than before and glance at Max, “almost kissed.”
“I can’t hear you,” she says and leans closer. “What?”
“We almost kissed.”
“Look, Ruby, I understand you’re trying to be quiet for the little ears nearby, but I can’t hear you.”
I roll my eyes and pull my phone out to text her.
Declan and I almost kissed.
Her phone pings, and then she slaps it to the table.
“What!”
