“I’m glad I went to the wedding. That feels weird to say.” She leaned against the edge of the tailgate as I finished arranging the pad and blanket. “I got some closure I didn’t know I was looking for—from Crock as a whole. I don’t want anything to do with either of them and I have nothing to prove. Whatever they made me feel, it’s about them. Therefore, it means nothing. Yet, at the same time, it is because of Crock that I’m able to reach beyond the standard brand of Copper Summit. And because of you.”
“It wasn’t me. I just nudged the ball, so it was easier for you to get it rolling.” Would I feel the same if I went to Katrina’s wedding? Maybe. The urge to prove myself was still strong, and I’d sworn to leave it all behind. And if I had to see my childhood nightmare celebrate the beginnings of a happy life? If I had to cater to him in any way? No fucking chance. That guy had beena menace as a kid and as an adult. The only closure I could imagine was hearing he’d gone to jail for being an insufferable asshole.
Ruby was a better human than me.
“Want some wine?” I pulled the bottle out of the small cooler.
She hopped up on the tailgate to sit with her legs dangling down. “You brought wine?”
“Rhubarb wine. It’s from a winery in Miles City.”
“You go out of your way to buy Montana-made products, don’t you?”
“The people and businesses in the state have been good to us. I want to give back.” I used the corkscrew I had packed and opened the bottle. “The glasses are plastic,” I said as I poured and handed her a cup. “Didn’t want broken glass ruining our date. Our last fake date,” I amended before I could fool myself.
“Last fake date,” she echoed and held up her cup. We clicked them together for a dull cheers and exchanged smiles.
Fuck, I wanted this to be real. If it was, I’d down this wine and wait until she finished hers. Then I’d tip her backward and crawl on top of her, spreading those lush thighs of hers wide. I’d keep the dress on but slide it up her body until she was bared to me.
Lust kindled hot in my gut. I gulped half my wine.
The appreciative noise she made when she took a drink didn’t help my dirty thoughts. “You think of everything.”
It was one of my greatest faults.Too much thought, not enough sincerity.Wasn’t that what I’d been told before? I’d lost track of which woman had said that.
I climbed next to Ruby and we sat side by side, our heads tipped back to look at the stars.
“I was wondering how we do this,” she said quietly. “How are we going to fake break up?”
Goddamn fake breakup. “You can tell everyone whatever you want.”
She let out a delicate snort. “Why yes, we’re no longer seeing each other. He was a perfect gentleman, a fabulous kisser, and he could dance like a dream. But!” She clicked her tongue. “He can’t line dance, so I kicked him to the curb.”
I chuckled. “That’ll work.”
“I’m not throwing you under the bus,” she said in a serious tone. “You’ve been nothing but amazing.”
That hadn’t mattered before. “We just grew apart. You can blame the age difference or the fact that I’m your boss. You can let people assume whatever they want to.” Anyone in Bourbon Canyon who’d been around during that time with Katrina would realize I was the problem.
“Okay,” she almost whispered.
“You can still stay at Mama’s on Friday nights.”
She bumped my arm. “I promise I’ll be all right.”
She would be, but that also meant she wouldn’t be at my place. “If the weather gets bad, keep her in mind.”
“Sure.”
I recognized her stubborn tone. “I’ll pick you up and dump you on Mama’s doorstep if you think you’re driving in stormy weather.”
Her laughter rang through the night. “Okay, okay. I promise.” She gently kicked her legs. “I don’t work at the bar for a week and a half.”
Dismay filled me. Shit. The Fourth of July was this week. We only kept the bar open as a tasting room for the tourists who flowed through the area and came for tours and gift shop purchases during the holiday. The cocktail bar would be closed at night, then reopen the week after the Fourth to give the temporary employees plenty of time off.
“What are you going to do for the Fourth?” I asked.
“Ummm... soak up the AC and read. You?”
