“I spent twenty dollars on the tickets! This is over four times that much! We’re not supposed to be giving each other presents.”
“You gave the twins elephants!”
“Those were three dollars each!”
He sighed. “Just accept the necklace, Ruby. It doesn’t mean anything. A friend giving a gift to a friend. It’s not that deep.”
Ruby didn’t want to cause a scene, so she did as she was told and handed the woman the necklace. She didn’t know why she was so uncomfortable with him buying this for her—he was right. It didn’t have to be that deep. It was just a necklace. And lord knew he could afford it.
Was it a pity gift? Because she said she didn’t have anyoneto exchange gifts with? Or did he still feel bad for being so judgmental last week? Or was this payment for taking him and his nieces out, showing him around the city?
But she wasn’t taking them out selflessly—she was doing it because she wanted something from him, a referral for a job in his father’s company. And now every time she saw this beautiful Kashmiri ruby necklace, she would remember that she sold herself out for a job.
Ugh. This was why Ruby hated owing people things.
But she couldn’t say no now, not while the woman had already tapped his card for the sale and was wrapping the necklace in a gift bag. The poor woman looked like she didn’t know who to give the bag to when she was done. Rashid finally put his hand out to take the package.
He handed it to Ruby with a smile. “Happy holidays.”
Ruby took it. “Um… thank you.”
He looked at the twins. “Now, how about we take a break from all that shopping and have tea and cake?”
They nodded enthusiastically.
The holiday market had a tearoom on the second floor—a bright space with chintz wallpaper and a tin ceiling. They chose a table near a window, and a woman immediately served tea to the adults and hot chocolate for the girls. The tea was served in mismatched vintage china, and the hot chocolate in paper cups. Then another woman came with a little cart offering homemade baked goods. The girls excitedly chose palepink cupcakes. Ruby selected a gingerbread Nanaimo bar, and Rashid a peppermint blondie.
“This is nice,” Ruby said. Mostly because she didn’t know what else to say. She exhaled. Him buying her that necklace made things weird for her. She had no idea why.
“It is nice,” he said. “After tea we can check out the vintage area?”
Ruby nodded. The rooms on the second floor apparently had vendors selling vintage gifts.
“Ruby? Is that you? What a surprise!” a voice behind her said. Ruby rolled her eyes before turning around. She knew that voice.
“Shayne, what are you doing here? Are youstalkingme?” She turned. It wasn’t only Shayne, but Anderson, too. Anderson at least looked a little sheepish that they had crashed Ruby’s not-a-date, but Shayne had no shame.
Shayne gave Ruby a knowing look. “I’m not stalking you, Ruby. I’m delighted to see you, though.” He looked at Rashid, grinning and putting his hand out. “You must be Rashid. I’m Shayne, a very close personal friend of Ruby’s. Oh, and these must be your nieces! How adorable. Love the tiaras—you’ll have to let me know where you got those. This is my partner, Anderson.”
Rashid looked at Ruby curiously for a moment—Ruby didn’t know why—before smiling and shaking Shayne’s hand, then Anderson’s. He introduced Tara and Noor and invited the two men to join their table.
Shayne pulled over chairs from a nearby table and flagged down the tea server. “This is such an adorable little sale. We justgot here—but I know we’re going to buy a ton. Did you get the tiaras here? Because if so, all of Anderson’s nieces are getting those. And a few of his nephews, too. I can’t wait to shop with you all!”
Ruby exhaled. Maybe she shouldn’t be annoyed. Shayne and Anderson cared, which was why they were here—to make sure Rashid wasn’t being a judgmental ass today.
First Rashid gave her that necklace. Then these two came to check up on her. Ruby was feeling very valued right now. And she had no idea why she was feeling so weird about that.
ANDERSON AND SHAYNE WEREon their best behavior during tea. They didn’t ask intrusive questions, didn’t grill Rashid on why he’d upset Ruby last week, and, best of all, didn’t show him any skin issues. The four of them chatted about the craft sale and about other similar artisan markets they had been to. After tea, they all stayed together to wander the vintage vendors on the second floor of the mansion. The vibe up on this floor was funkier than downstairs. Probably because the vintage clothing and decor were mostly from the seventies to the nineties. Ruby loved vintage shopping—finding the best secondhand stores that had designer stuff was always the first thing she did when she moved. She didn’t find any Armani at Gap prices here, though. But going through the vendors’ curated selections with Rashid, Shayne, Anderson, and the twins was a lot of fun.
Shayne pointed out a Little Mermaid ornament on a tree absolutely covered with old Disney ornaments. “That’s probably my favorite Disney princess.” He turned to Tara and Noor. “Who do you two like?”
The girls, of course, didn’t answer. Rashid wasn’t nearby, so Noor hid behind Ruby’s leg, while Tara took her hand.
“They’re shy,” Ruby explained. She looked around for Rashid—who was chatting with the vendor.
“They’re certainly not shy with you,” Anderson said.
Huh. That was true. It had happened so gradually that Ruby hadn’t noticed that the girls weren’t afraid of her anymore.
