She’s already reaching for the decorations. Instinctively, I pull her back, wrapping my arms around her. Her hair smells like vanilla shampoo, and I breathe it in, pressing a kiss on her head.
“Sorry I was grumpy at breakfast.”
“It’s okay.” Ruby smiles at me reassuringly, her brown eyes twinkling. “You weren’t that grumpy.”
“No, but still?—”
“I’ve definitely seen you grumpier.”
“Yeah, well that’s not saying much.”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “Honestly, it’s fine, Ivan. I know this time of year isn’t easy for you.”
The words are on the tip of my tongue. I want to let it all out. Tell her I’m dreading tomorrow. How I can’t stop thinking about her leaving me, heading back to Florida. But I don’t want to wipe that pretty smile off my girl’s face.
“I’m just…I’m happy you’re here, sugar. Want you to know that.”
“I’m happy to be here, Ivan. Really happy.”
She squeezes me tight, then with a gorgeous smile, she gets to work decorating the tree. I help her, leaving her all the best decorations. Another Christmas song is playing on the radio,Jingle Bell Rock, and Ruby sings along, almost crying with laughter when North joins in with a howl.
Fuck, she’s so cute.
I can’t stop staring. Hell, I’m not even looking at the tree as I hang decorations from its branches.
“That was the last one,” Ruby says eventually.
The tree is covered from top to bottom in baubles and lights of every color, wrapped up with strings of ribbon and tinsel. Itlooks like Christmas chaos, but it’s pretty charming in its own way.
“Looks great, sugar.”
“Agreed, I love it! Now we just need to find the star?—”
A loud chirping sound cuts off her words, and she pulls her phone from her jeans pocket. I watch as she scans the screen, her face falling.
“What is it?” I ask. “Everything okay?”
Her gaze flits up to mine, then back to the phone. She pockets it with a sigh. “Yeah, all good. Just the airline sending a reminder about flight times.”
Something comes loose inside my chest, snapping apart. “They didn’t cancel it?”
“Nope. It’s going to be clear tomorrow, apparently.”
I feel the muscles in my jaw tighten. “You can’t drive all the way to Denver in that tiny little car. The roads aren’t safe.”
“I know. My brother is picking me up tomorrow.” She looks down at her feet. “His truck will get us there okay. Then he’ll come back here with his girlfriend for her car.”
She turns away from me, her shoulders slumped. I feel a fierce rush inside me. A burning possessiveness that has me in a chokehold. Ruby leaving tomorrow is no longer a vague possibility; it’s an imminent fact. I’m about to lose her.
I can’t let that happen.
I fucking can’t.
“Cancel it,” I say.
Ruby faces me. “What?”
“Cancel the flight. I’ll refund you whatever it cost.”
