Ruby had been delighted to find that they had similar views on the usefulness of the royal family in the modern age. They also talked about living in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, and which province had the best signature dessert, arguing between British Columbia’s Nanaimo bar and Ontario’s butter tart before finally agreeing that Quebec’s sugar pie was the clear winner.
Shayne:I know the perfect thing… I heard about this cute vintage/craft sale. Give me a minute, I’ll look it up.
Ruby didn’t have a minute—she needed to head back to work. The moment Ruby walked back into the store she spottedJasmine Hakim looking at the robes in the lingerie area. She was alone. Ruby headed straight to her.
“Hi, Jasmine!”
Jasmine smiled warmly and gave Ruby a hug… which, wow, Jasmine was nothing like her brother, who had just waved goodbye after walking her to her condo last night.
Jasmine even held on to Ruby’s arm a few seconds. “I wanted to come and thank you in person for taking the girls out on Thursday!”
Ruby smiled. “No problem. I had a lot of fun. Did you need help finding anything? Those robes are one hundred percent cashmere. They’resoluxurious.”
Jasmine looked back at the hanging robes in pastel colors. “They’re gorgeous. Honestly, this whole store is wonderful. I love all this Christmassy stuff.”
After getting to know this woman’s brother for the last few days, it was a tiny bit shocking that the Doctors Hakim came from the same genetic material. “You’re nothing like your brother.”
Jasmine smiled. “He’s a little… grumpy, but honestly, Rashid is an amazing person. You left quite an impression on him.” She leaned close as if she was going to say something scandalous. “He let the girls play a Christmas album at breakfast without complaining once.”
Ruby giggled. “He was probably still high on all the sugar we had last night.”
Jasmine shrugged. Despite Jasmine making jokes and hugging Ruby, there was still something a little low energy about her. Like she was struggling to get her words out. She took apale pink robe off the rack and ran her fingers over the soft knit. “My mother would love this.” She looked at the price. “I’ll take it. Can you gift wrap?”
Ruby smiled. “Of course.” After ringing up the sale, Ruby took the robe over to the gift-wrap station and grabbed a medium box. She lined the box with tissue, placed the robe in it, folded the tissue over the robe, and affixed it with a small Reid’s sticker. Jasmine picked the deep burgundy paper.
“Can I ask you a question, Jasmine?” Ruby asked as she cut off a large piece of paper.
“Of course.”
“Your brother… Does he have a particular reason for being so grumpy? Like a trauma or something he’s dealing with?” Ruby had done enough self-reflection to know that a lot of the reason she was so enthusiastic and extra was because of losing her mother when she was twenty. She wanted to enjoy her life, because she knew how fragile it could be. Also, having a father who didn’t approve of anything about her probably played a role, too (yes, she was well aware that her unresolved daddy issues were a problem she needed to deal with at some point). But from what she could tell, Rashid’s childhood was ideal. No money problems; parents healthy, alive, and seemingly great to him. She knew that Jasmine was struggling right now because her marriage had just ended, but she didn’t know if Rashid was also struggling with something.
Was his Christmas hatred just because of Jasmine’s ex? Or had he dated a Christmas elf who ruined him for the holiday season forever? Even Mr. Darcy’s ill manners at the beginning ofPride and Prejudicecould be traced back to the situationwith Wickham and Darcy’s sister. Maybe if there was a reason for his moodiness, then Rashid would eventually get over it.
Jasmine shook her head. “No, not that I know of. He’s always been the most serious of the three of us. And the most principled. He’s a great guy, really. He’s easily the most generous person I know. I don’t know what I would have done without him right now. He’s just… Rashid is anacquiredtaste.”
Ruby smirked. People had said the same thing about Ruby. Of course, for completely different reasons.
“Has he… dated? Any serious relationships?”
Jasmine gave Ruby a small smile. She clearly thought Ruby was asking these questions because Ruby herself was interested in dating the man. Which she wasn’t.
“He’s single now, if that’s what you’re asking,” Jasmine said. “He split with someone a few months ago—not very recently though. He’s not on the rebound.”
Ruby shook her head quickly. “We’re just friends. I have no time for dating now. I’m just curious. Why’s he still single?”
Jasmine shrugged. “He works a lot. He’s in a hospital system in Calgary, plus he does medical research and some consulting. I keep telling him to slow down. Private practice would give him more free time. His ex broke up with him because she didn’t want to wait for a proposal anymore.” Jasmine’s nose wrinkled. “I shouldn’t be gossiping. I adore Rashid, but… Ayesha always said he needed something to shake up his routine. Maybe coming here has done that for him.”
Ruby agreed—Dr. Rash could use a shake-up. “Which ribbon do you like? The warm cream looks great with this paper.”
“Yes, the cream is lovely.”
Ruby tied a bow with the cream ribbon and handed Jasmine the box.
“Thank you!” Jasmine said slowly. “Mom’s going to love it. I’m going to have to mail it, since I won’t be seeing her…” She frowned, a slight tremble on her lips, like she missed her family. She forced a smile. “I’m so happy we met you, Ruby. I hope we stay in contact after you move away.”
Ruby smiled. “I hope we will, Jasmine.”
She was glad she met the Hakim family, too. Even if some of them were an acquired taste… Ruby was oddly acquiring it.
