“Sounds like a song.”
“Yeah. I guess it could be.”
She empties her glass, staring into it as if she might be able to manifest a refill. “I don’t know what to do about the lawsuit.”
Ireach out and take her hand in mine, skating my thumb along her palm. “What are your instincts telling you?”
“To fight like hell.”
“So, fight. I’ve never known you to back down from a challenge.”
“But is it worth it?” She sighs. “It’s over, Liam. I have my freedom. What good can come from dredging up all the years of control and abuse?”
“Accountability. If you settle, there’s a chance they’ll continue to do the same to other artists.”
“What if I lose?”
“Then you’ll go down swinging. You have to know when to fight for yourself. If that sets a precedent for other people to come forward, you’ve done more than enough. Even if you lose.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
I glance down at where our hands are joined and thread my fingers through hers, longing for more than just this simple touch. “Why didn’t you tell me? All those years you were being mistreated, you never said a word.”
“There’s nothing you could’ve done, so there was no need to burden you with my issues.”
I tilt her chin to look into my eyes. “You’re never a burden. You could’ve leaned on me.”
She glances up at me through thick lashes, a grateful smile on her face. “I know. You’ve always been my rock,” she murmurs. “Do you know that?”
I shake my head.
“For the last ten years, even through the worst of it, I knew I could count on you. One call and you’d come running.”
“But you never called.”
“I never felt like I needed to. It was enough to just know you were here.”
My chest tightens as she continues to speak.
“I’m proud of the man you’ve become. Stepping up for Aiden the way you have, working your ass off to provide a good life for him. He’s a lucky kid.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat and brush a lock of golden waves away from her face. The air grows thick and heavy the longer I gaze into those fathomless eyes, seeing the truth reflected at me. I’ve never had someone tell me they’re proud of me. To hear it come from Ruby’s lips is arresting.
“You don’t know what that means to me.”
“I meant every word,” she says. “You’re a good man, Liam Murphy.”
It takes every bit of my self-control not to kiss her—to let the moment exist for what it is and not complicate whatever this thing is between us. It’s already gone so far past complicated that we’ve circled back around. If only she knew how long I’ve wanted her.
It’s best not to go down that road. There’s no universe that exists where Ruby and I would work. Someday she’s going to leave, and she’ll take my heart with her. The thought has the power to break me if I settle on it.
Ruby
After another round of hide-and-seek and several messy s'mores, Ivy offers to take Aiden back to the ranch for a sleepover. With some not-so-subtle puppy dog eyes aimed at his dad, Liam agrees to let him go.
Maggie stands and dusts off her skirt. “We have to head over to the Inn. Mama Lucy said Bear’s been hanging around the gazebo again, so I’m gonna drop off some snacks.”
Curiosity getting the better of me, I ask, “Who’s bear?”
