Page 87 of Broken Road

Ruby: Do you like your work?

Vander: I do.It’s not the most important thing in my life, but it’s one of the only things, so it’s become all-encompassing to a certain extent. I’m looking for ways to pull back now.I won’t be keeping this pace now that you’re back in my life.

Her dots appeared and disappeared several times. I was about to tell her to stop thinking when her single word response came through.

Ruby: Yeah?

Maybe, just maybe she was starting to believe.

Vander: Yeah, koukla. You are my first priority.

Ruby: How can you even say that? What if George needs you? Or your parents become ill? Or your business fails?

I snorted but had to acknowledge that in walking away ten years ago, I earned her doubt.

Vander: I will never leave you behind. If I go somewhere, and you can’t come with me, I’ll go and come back as quickly as possible. I will never leave you.

Ruby: What if George gets sick or hurt?

Vander: We’ll go and check on him, with Jace, and then we’ll come back. If Jace can’t go, you and I will go. If you can’t go, I’ll go. But I’ll always come back.

Her dots appeared, but I anticipated her next words and continued.

Vander: Same goes for my parents. And if my business fails, which it won’t, I’ll do something else. Here. Close to you.

Ruby: How can I be sure?

Vander: Because I’m giving you my word.

Ruby: And what happens if I can’t be what you want me to be?

Vander: You’re already what I want.

Ruby: I mean, what if this never happens between us?

Vander: Then I’ll continue as I have been until you marry someone else. If that happens, I’ll leave you in peace. As far as I’m concerned, you are already my wife, and I will treat you as such. A man doesn’t leave his wife for his kids, or his parents, or his job, and I won’t leave you.

There was a long wait. No dots. I was about to change the subject when her message appeared.

Ruby: I had a meeting with the other company today.

Okay. Hopefully, that would sink in.

Vander: How did that go?

Ruby: I’m going to go with them. The consultant was friendly and confident. If he feels that I should go forward, I’m going to do it. I have a follow-up appointment on Friday.

Vander: Good, koukla. That’s really good. Are you excited?

Ruby: Nervous.

Vander: I’ll walk you through everything.

Ruby: Dinner Thursday?

Holy shit. She just confirmed without me having to push.

Vander: I look forward to it. Will I meet Jace when I pick you up?

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