Page 81 of Freeing Ruby

When they finally release each other, Edward sits back looking stunned. “I’m a father,” he muses. “I have a family.” Then he looks at me. “How about that, Miguel? I’m a father.” His shock quickly gives way to astonishment and then to joy.

“Ever since Mom died, I felt like Allen resented me—even hated me,” Ruby tells Edward. “Our relationship was never the same after we lost Mom. Now I know why. I thought he blamed me for her death, but it wasn’t that. He resented me because I was proof that she’d been with someone else.”

“I should have pressed Helen,” Edward says. “I just thought it was wishful thinking on my part, thinking you could have been mine. When she never said a word, I let it go. She seemed happy back with Allen again, and I didn’t want to mess that up for her. And when she asked me to be your godfather, I was thrilled. Of course I said yes. At least this way I could be part of your life.”

Ruby invites Edward to stay for lunch. I run out to my uncle’s restaurant and pick up food for the three of us and bring it back. We sit outside on the balcony to eat tacos and tamales, and we toast to Edward and Ruby’s new relationship with ice-cold bottles of Corona. I even allow myself to drink one beer since Ruby and I don’t have any plans to go anywhere anytime soon.

Ruby seems more at ease now than I’ve ever seen her. The threat of her stalker is gone, and Edward knows the truth. And even though she’s been through a lot of trauma recently, she’s coming out of this with a new relationship with a man who’s beyond overjoyed to find out he’s likely her father.

When we’re done eating, I take the dishes to the kitchen and clean up. I want to give the father and daughter some time alone. After all the recent heartache Ruby’s experienced, I think this new relationship with Edward is just what she needs. Now she has a father who adores her, not one who ridicules her and makes her feel unloved.

When Edward leaves to head back to his office, Ruby walks him to the door. Edward gives her a bear hug, and the two of them hold each other for a good long time. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of Edward now.

After he’s gone, she locks the door, then turns to me with a bright smile on her face.

“I told you he’d be thrilled,” I tell her. “He’s the one who hired McIntyre Security to protect you. It wasn’t Allen. It was Edward. Even without knowing the truth, Edward was more of a father to you than Allen was.”

Chapter 30

Ruby

After Edward leaves, I return to my art studio to try to catch up on my current commissions. I have several paintings that are ready to be varnished. As soon as they dry, I’ll package them up for shipping. I’ll need to talk to Miguel about shipping. There must be a mailroom in the building.

As I’m prepping a few canvases for new projects, Miguel knocks on my open door. “You busy?”

I glance up from my worktable. “No. Just getting some new canvases ready.”

“Jason just texted. He and Layla would like to come over this evening to welcome you to the building. They’ve offered to bring dinner. Are you okay with having some company?”

“Jason and Layla? Sure.” They’re both nice, and I need to start making friends. If I want any type of normalcy, I need to move past my comfort zone, and that includes making friends.

“Is pizza okay? They’ve offered to pick up some pizzas.”

“Sure. I’ll never turn down a pizza.”

“Margherita?”

“Yes. That sounds great.”

* * *

When we hear a knock, Miguel answers the door. I rush to the bathroom to freshen up and brush my hair. When I join them in the living room, I see three pizza boxes spread out on the coffee table, along with bottles of Coke and water. Layla’s sitting in the armchair, and Jason’s sitting on the floor at her feet. They left the sofa for me and Miguel.

“Hi, guys,” I say, standing just in the living room. I try my best to ignore my racing pulse. It’s okay. These people are friends.

Layla stands and holds out a bouquet of fresh-cut wildflowers wrapped in plastic. “These are for you.” She gives me a hug. “Welcome to the building.”

“Thank you,” I say as she hands them to me. “They’re gorgeous.”

Layla glances around the apartment, at all the plants hanging by the balcony doors and the potted trees and plants out on the balcony. “I’m glad your plants made the move, too.”

“Thanks to Miguel, everything made it over here. It feels just like home, only everything’s newer and shinier. And we have more space.”

We. Like we share this apartment. Like it’s ours.

I have to keep reminding myself this is only temporary. And now that Miguel uncovered who was stalking me—and why—I suppose our arrangement is going to come to an end soon. Miguel was hired to assess my situation. Not only did he assess it, but he also uncovered the culprits—Darren and Allen. I’m trying to get used to thinking of Allen as Allen, and not as my dad.

“I’ll get us some plates and napkins,” Miguel says as he heads for the kitchen.

---