“I’m fine,” she says, then hesitates. “Though I feel…it’s hard to describe. It feels surreal, I suppose. Like it never happened.” She looks away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I don’t regret anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“We should probably talk about it,” I say, relieved she has no regrets. “But my mother and sister are arriving in two days, so between your visitors, work, and me prepping for their arrival, there won’t be much time. It might have to wait, if that’s okay with you.”
"Oh, your family's coming? That's wonderful!" Ruby'seyes light up. "How long has it been since you've seen them? They must be thrilled to spend time with you."
“Yes, but I’m also panicking because they insist on staying at my house and that’s not an option because of the club.” I take off my hat and ruffle a hand through my hair. “I’m looking at one of the houses farther down the street later today. I’m thinking of buying it. They’ve never been to my house, but they know I live in The Ridges, so it could work if I can arrange furniture and styling in time. It’s a lot to pull off in two days and it will be a nightmare with Zeus, but?—”
“Seriously, Athena?” Ruby interrupts me. “Come on, that’s ridiculous. Can’t you just close the club?”
“No. It wouldn’t be fair, and even if I did close it, not everyone reads their messages and emails. Some might show up anyway, and then I’d have an even bigger problem.”
Ruby nods, but she’s still looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. “But…buying a house? Even with a whole team, I doubt you could pull that off by Tuesday.” She frowns. “They’re here for a week, you said?” She continues when I nod. “How about we just swap?”
THIRTY-THREE
RUBY
Athena’s movers shuffle between our houses. Sarah and Erik left this morning and I thought the team would be done by the time I got back from work but there’s still a lot to do. I stand in my bedroom doorway, watching as two men transfer an armload of Athena’s white clothes into my closet—right where Claire’s things used to hang. The symbolism isn’t lost on me. Out with the old, in with…whatever this is.
“Ma’am, where would you like these?” A young woman appears behind me, arms loaded with a collection of Athena’s white hats.
“You can put those on the top shelf,” I tell her, stepping aside to let her pass. “And any shoes can go on the rack by the window.” I stuck to a large suitcase myself. Why does she need so many clothes? It’s only for a week.
I watch as she arranges Athena’s hats. This doesn’t feel real—none of it does. When I suggested the house swap, it had seemed so simple. Athena needed a place to host her mother and sister, and I needed…well, I don’t know what I needed. A change of scenery, perhaps. A break from a house filled with memories. Now…it’sall turning a little more complicated. I didn’t think about the details. Pictures are either hidden or swapped, and some of Athena’s art that her mother gifted her is on display in my living room.
“Do you think it’s going to work?” I ask when Athena walks in, hands on her hips while she supervises.
“It has to,” she says, but the worry lines between her eyebrows betray her confidence. “My mother is impossible to fool under normal circumstances. But she hasn’t been to Vegas since before I moved. As long as I act like it’s my home and the personal items are in place, it should be fine.”
“And what about the club?” I ask, lowering my voice though the movers are occupied with their tasks.
Athena steps closer, her voice dropping to match mine. “There’s a team that handles everything—security, bartenders, cleaning. They know what to do.”
I nod, but apprehension still gnaws at my stomach. It’s not so much leaving my own home—I’m actually looking forward to that—but Athena’s house comes with responsibilities.
“Zeus,” I say, voicing my biggest concern. “What if he tries to kill me in my sleep?”
Athena laughs. “He’s a cat, Ruby, not a lion. Though I’ll admit he sometimes thinks he is.”
“He’s enormous.”
“He’s twenty pounds of muscle and attitude,” she agrees with a fond smile. “But he’s also a creature of routine. As long as you share your bed with him, he’ll tolerate you. Might even warm up to you eventually.”
“Sleeping with Zeus is not exactly what I had in mind when I pictured myself in your bed,” I blurt out, then immediately feel heat rushing to my cheeks. Did I really just say that out loud? Here, now, with movers bustling around us?
Athena’s eyes widen slightly, then darken with interest. “Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind, Ruby?” she asks, her voice dropping to that low, velvety tone that makes my skin tingle.
“I…that’s not…” I stammer, unable to find my footing. This inappropriate flirtation was definitely not part of our house-swap arrangement, yet I can’t seem to help myself around her.
Athena chuckles as she looks me up and down. “It’s not what, Counselor?”
I’m saved from responding by the doorbell. One of Athena’s assistants—a young woman named Belle who’s been coordinating the move—hurries to answer it.
“The Greek food delivery is here,” she calls out.
I glance at my watch. "I'm surprised they're delivering at this time of night."
"They don't normally. The company owner is getting a complimentary suite at The Olympus this weekend, and the delivery driver's getting a generous tip." Athena chuckles. "Amazing how flexible schedules become when there's something in it for everyone."
