FORTY-THREE
RUBY
I arrive early at the Parthenon restaurant, fidgeting with the sleeve of my green dress as the host leads me to a table by the windows with views of the Strip below.
I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time choosing my outfit tonight—the dress that brings out my eyes, paired with black stilettos and minimal jewelry. I’ve spent an equally embarrassing amount of time staring at the picture she sent me last night.
“Ms. Walsh?” A young waiter approaches with a bottle of champagne. “Ms. Stavros asked that this be ready when you arrived. She’ll be here shortly.” He fills a flute and places it before me.
I sip the champagne while scanning the restaurant I dined at just under a month ago after celebrating the merger. That night feels like it belongs to another lifetime—to another Ruby entirely.
A month ago, I was sleepwalking through life, buried in work to avoid confronting my grief. My house was a museum to Claire’s memory, her possessions untouched,her ghost lingering in every room. I was existing, not living—a distinction I couldn’t even see then.
Now, I’m wearing makeup I took time to apply and a beautiful dress, with my pulse quickening at the thought of seeing Athena again. I’ve slept in her bed, cared for her cat, and met her family—crossing boundaries I never imagined breaching. I’ve felt desire again, surrendered control in ways that both terrify and exhilarate me. I’ve cleared out Claire’s things, made those difficult calls, and begun to imagine a future that isn’t defined solely by loss.
All because of one enigmatic woman in white who caught me watching from my window.
The irony isn’t lost on me that we’re meeting here, where this strange journey began—when Athena found me half-drunk and escorted me home, when she held me while I broke down. Before the confessions, before the club, before everything changed. We’ve come full circle, but nothing is the same.
I spot them—Athena is guiding her mother and sister through the restaurant. They look refreshed and relaxed, Sophia’s hair arranged in an elegant updo, Demetria’s wild curls tamed into something artful. Athena’s gaze finds mine across the room, and her face breaks into a smile that makes my heart jump.
“Ruby!” Sophia exclaims as they reach the table. She takes my hands in hers, kissing both my cheeks. “You look beautiful, darling.”
“Thank you,” I reply, surprised by the warmth of her greeting. “You all look wonderful too.”
“We’ve been thoroughly pampered,” Sophia says, sliding into the chair across from me. “Athena treated us to the full spa experience here at the Olympus. Massages, facials, the works.”
“The treatments here are exceptional,” Demetria adds, settling into her seat with a contented sigh. “I’d love to bring that massage therapist back to Greece.”
Athena laughs as she takes the seat beside me. “Don’t even think about poaching my staff,” she warns her sister. “My team spent months finding the right people.”
“Always so territorial,” Demetria teases.
“I insisted Mom take a night off from cooking,” Athena says, smoothly changing the subject. “She’s practically been in the kitchen since she arrived.”
“I wanted to invite you over for dinner again before we leave,” Sophia says to me, “but my daughter insisted we come here instead.”
The first course of mezze arrives; platters with an array of small vegetarian dishes: dolmades, tzatziki, hummus, and salads. Sophia immediately begins arranging portions onto my plate.
“How has your time in Vegas been?” I ask.
“Oh, it’s been wonderful having both my girls to myself for a whole week. As I said, Demetria is always out with her friends or Julian in Greece.” She reaches across to pat her younger daughter’s hand affectionately. “It’s been nice to have this quality time together.”
“Athena arranged the most magical hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise yesterday,” Demetria adds with genuine enthusiasm. “The light was incredible.”
“Yes, it was beautiful,” Sophia agrees. She turns to Athena with a warm smile. “Now it’s your turn to come to me, honey. Don’t you miss Greece? The sunsets in Santorini? The smell of the sea?”
“Of course I do,” Athena says softly. “And I miss you too, Mom. I’ll come very soon, I promise.”
“And you must come visit us as well, Ruby,” Sophia adds warmly. “You’re always welcome in our home.”
I swallow against the sudden tightness in my throat, genuinely touched by her kindness. “That’s very generous of you. Thank you.”
I wonder if Sophia would be so welcoming if she knew the truth about what’s developing between her daughter and me.
As we eat, Demetria continues her gentle interrogation, asking about my childhood, my education, my hobbies. I share stories I haven’t told in years and even include one about Claire.
“What about your parents, Ruby?” Sophia asks. “Do you see them often?”
