Page 45 of Freeing Ruby

The hint of disgust in his tone makes me smile. Still, I’m surprised Darren is here. “He should be at work already.” I nudge Miguel out of the way and open the door. Darren’s dressed for work in a navy-blue suit, white dress shirt, and a blue-and-white striped tie. He looks flustered.

“Darren, what’s wrong?”

He looks over my shoulder, and I can only assume that Miguel’s standing behind me. “He’s what’s wrong?” Darren asks with a scowl. “What happened last night, Ruby? What was all that commotion out in the parking lot?”

“Miguel’s car alarm went off. When he went out to turn it off, he was jumped by two men.”

Darren scowls at Miguel, then turns his attention back to me. “He needs to go,” he says in a rushed whisper. “He’s trouble, Ruby. He’s not good for you. Just look at him. He’s little more than a thug.” He checks his watch. “I have to go to work. But trust me, Ruby, you need to get rid of him. Today. Just tell him to leave.”

“You need to leave,” Miguel says from behind me. His voice is deep, rough.

Darren narrows his eyes at Miguel, then looks at me one last time before he turns and heads for the stairwell.

I close the door and lock it.

“Don’t you think he seems a bit fixated on you?” Miguel asks as he returns to his weights.

“You still consider Darren to be a suspect.”

He nods. “I do. His interest in you seems a bit more than just neighborly. He’s jealous.”

I turn to face him. “Jealous? Are you serious?”

“I’m dead serious. I think he sees me as moving in on his territory.”

“That’s utterly ridiculous.” I can’t help smiling at the notion. I wouldn’t mind being Miguel’s territory. “First, there’s absolutely nothing between me and Darren. We’re simply neighbors. And second, please. As if you would be interested in someone like me.” I laugh at the thought, but Miguel doesn’t even crack a smile.

“Why wouldn’t I be interested in someone like you?” He almost sounds offended. When he says this with a straight face, my heart starts racing.

He can’t be serious. I nod toward the kitchen. “I’ll start on breakfast.”

Miguel lowers the weights. “I’ll do it. You made breakfast yesterday.”

“No, it’s okay. I need something to do. You’ve already done so much for me.”

Between that unexpected kiss last night, and Darren showing up this morning, my mind is frazzled.

“I’ll just make scrambled eggs and toast,” I say. “Something easy.”

“All right. That sounds good.”

I jump when I realize he’s right behind me. I didn’t even hear him approach.

“Ruby?”

“Hmm?” I glance out the kitchen window at the park.

“I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“Please, don’t mention it. It’s fine. There’s nothing to apologize for. Let’s just forget it happened.” I’m so embarrassed I can’t even bring myself to look at him. “It was just as much my fault anyway. I kissed you first.”

“On the cheek,” he clarifies. “You were just being nice. I took it as an invitation. I was wrong.”

“Please, Miguel. Can we not talk about this?”

He hesitates, then exhales a heavy breath. “Sure. Okay.” He stands there a moment, as if he’s going to say more. But then he changes the subject. “I’ll take out the trash. The can’s pretty full.” He pulls the bag out of the trash can and ties it off. “I’ll grab your mail, too, while I’m out.”

I nod. “Thanks. Wait! I have several paintings packaged up and ready to mail. You can put them in the outgoing mail cubby? I’ll go get them.” I run off to my studio to collect the small packages ready to go.

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