Page 89 of Freeing Ruby

“How about a popsicle?” I ask her.

She spots the man pushing the cart of popsicles and smiles. “Oh, my God, there he is! Come on!”

We catch up with the vendor, and I order two popsicles. Ruby unwraps hers—Tropical Medley—tastes it, and sighs. “It’s just as I remembered.”

We walk barefoot along the beach, the water splashing over our feet, holding hands and enjoying our popsicles. Ruby seems a bit tense—she flinches at loud noises—but overall she’s doing well. I think—I hope—that this is the first step of many more to come. My goal, my dream for her, is to make it possible for her to enjoy a normal life, go out and do things. Have fun.

We finish our popsicles and toss the sticks into a trash can. We’re at the far end of the beach now, where very few people are. It’s quiet here, and Ruby seems more relaxed.

When we come across a bench beneath the shade of a massive oak tree, we sit together. I put my arm around her, and she leans into me.

“So, what do you think?” I ask her.

“It’s better than I imagined.”

“Would you like to do this again?”

She nods. “Yes, definitely.”

I kiss her temple. “I’m proud of you.”

She gazes up at me. “I couldn’t have done this without you.” She turns to sit facing me and reaches for my hand, linking our fingers together. “Thank you, for being you. For giving me the sense of safety I so badly needed. Between you and Edward, I feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life. Like I get a second chance.” She cups my face and runs her thumb across my lips. “Would you be terribly surprised if I said I love you?”

My heart stops, skipping a full beat, before it starts racing. “Surprised? Yes. But also terribly glad to hear it.” I chuckle. “I think I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you, but I never in a million years dreamed you could feel the same way. You reminded me of a beautiful princess trapped in a tower, but I knew I was hardly prince material.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Miguel Rodriguez. You are definitely prince material.” And then she rises up in her seat and kisses me. She takes one of my hands in hers and presses it to her chest. “You’re my prince.”

I thread my fingers in her hair and bring her in for another kiss. I drag her closer, and she straddles my lap, facing me as we kiss. Fortunately, there’s no one else close enough to get an eyeful.

Finally, she pulls back, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes sparkling. “Miguel Rodriquez, would you be mine forever?”

I nod, stunned by her request. I tuck a lose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Only if you’ll be mine forever, too.”

She smiles. “I’d love to.”

Epilogue

Three months later

Ruby

Tonight’s not the first time I’ll be leaving the apartment, but it’s definitely the most nerve-wracking excursion for me so far. Since our first trip to the beach, we’ve gone to the Lake every weekend to walk around and get a Mexican popsicle. I’ve been to Layla’s apartment quite a few times to hang out with her, usually when Miguel had to go somewhere. Or she comes over to visit me. I’ve even been to visit Miguel’s grandmother, who is an absolute doll. She started crying when I gave her the little portrait I painted of Sugar, her tiny Chihuahua. I think she’s officially taken me under her wing.

But tonight’s different. Tonight is scary.

“We don’t have to go,” Miguel says for the third time today. “Don’t feel like you have to say yes, because I’m okay with missing it.”

Miguel and his friends have had this long-standing Friday night meet-up at a bar called Tanks, but since he started protecting me, he’s missed quite a few of these get-togethers. I feel bad that he’s been missing out on this tradition, but he insists it’s okay. That he doesn’t mind. But I mind. I mind being the reason he’s missing out on something that means a lot to him.

So tonight we’re going. It’s going to be crowded and noisy. There will be drinking, music, dancing, pool, and darts.

Lots of noise.

Lots of people.

I’m a nervous wreck. I feel queasy.

Right now I’m in the bathroom brushing my hair and putting on a bit of mascara and lip gloss.

---