“Thanks.” I gathered the containers, feeling moderately better after Ruby had made this seem like such a normal thing last weekend. Even more, she’d sounded almost envious.
Yeah, I could cook for myself. I could cook for Mama too. But she missed taking care of a brood of kids. She hated making small dishes. Preparing a feast and portioning it out for various kids delighted her.
Since I lived alone, I didn’t chow through her gifts as quickly. I had a nice stash. Something Katrina had thrown in my face.You’re pathetic, Tenor. You thought you could hide that from me?
My throat burned. Ruby had acted fascinated by my collection. Had she just been placating me? She still needed me to show her ex up.
Mama hung a dish towel up. “Ruby at your place?”
I nodded. I’d followed her home from the distillery last night. I’d appreciated her bare legs in a maroon skirt. The one she’d worn before had been longer. The ballet flats she’d paired with it had given her a sexy librarian look.
She’d been tired, and I had fed her some of Mama’s enchiladas and ensured she got to bed. In the guest room.
One night in my bed and I’d become a man obsessed, hankering for another hit. I’d gone to sleep alone, looking forward to spending a day with her. Anxious as hell about doing what I normally do any other night, only with Ruby as a witness.
“How are things going?” Mama asked quietly.
“Good,” I said, full of sincerity. “She’s unexpected.”
“I’ll say.” Mama’s smile was fond. “She’s good for you. I was in the grocery store yesterday and Wilna asked me if it was true.”
Wilna worked at one of the churches and she ran the annual bachelor auction fundraiser. She’d suspended it last year due to diminishing returns, but she continued to hound me and Teller, insisting our participation would bring back the bids. “Did you send her my sympathies that I can’t be one of her bachelors?”
“I did, in fact.” Mama chuckled. “Poor Teller.”
“You don’t sound that sad for him.”
A mischievous glint shone in her doe-brown eyes. “Might be good for him.”
“Depends who buys him.”
“He can donate a weekend of work.”
“You know that’s not why anyone will bid. He’d probably make it a month to really drive up bids.” Women wouldn’t be bidding on his handyman skills.
Her smile said she knew exactly that. Mama wasn’t pushy about her kids settling down, but she wanted us to. She would be sad when Ruby and I parted ways after the wedding.
It didn’t have to be like that . . .
No.
But what if . . .
I didn’t work with what-ifs. Distilling and ranching were well-researched sciences. Financials were exact. Ruby had been nothing but unpredictable since the night I kissed her.
For now, she needed me. There was no reason to wait around after and find out what about me repelled her.
Teller entered the house. He spotted the pans I was holding and looked around.
“They’re in the freezer,” Mama said.
Teller grinned. “Thanks, Mama.” He nudged my shoulder. “Want to invite your girlfriend to a barbecue tomorrow? Tate’s got some brisket smoking.”
My family had been having barbecues my entire life, and I always looked forward to them. Lately, our gatherings had a hint of bitter with the sweet. My sisters had all found the love of their lives. Tate and Scarlett still acted like newlyweds.
“I’ll ask her.” With Cruz and Lane, Teller and I didn’t stand out as the bachelors of the group. Now, they didn’t think I was single. Pretending for a month was one thing, but being around them together for a family gathering—that was different. That was too close to real.
I didn’t look forward to seeing firsthand what I would be missing when Ruby and I fake broke up.
